Etihad launches Abu Dhabi-Lagos flights

Etihad is adding Lagos to its flight network, bringing additional flight options to Australians heading for Nigeria's lucrative emerging markets.

Flights between Lagos and Etihad's Abu Dhabi base will start in July (subject to the usual regulatory rubber-stamp approvals), and will run six times a week.

Etihad is planning an Airbus A330-200 for the route, with 22 seats in business class and 240 seats in economy.

Nigeria is the largest country in Africa by population and has significant oil, gas and mineral reserves.

CEO James Hogan is promising that: "the Lagos schedule will provide seamless connections over Abu Dhabi to key North and Southeast Asian destinations and markets in the Indian Subcontinent and Australia."

But double-check the schedules for the six-times weekly flights -- and for your Australian connections on Etihad and Virgin Australia -- because Lagos flight timings differ across the week according to timetables checked by the eagle-eyed airlineroute.net.

Timetables in full

Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays see a red-eye night flight into Lagos, with EY673 departing Abu Dhabi at 0225 and arriving in Lagos at 0710. EY674 then turns round to depart Lagos at 0850 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 1945.

Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, however, see a 1000 departure from Abu Dhabi on EY671, arriving in Lagos at 1445. Return flight EY672 departs Lagos at 2000 and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 0655 the next morning.

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.