CLT Traveler Books Inaugural Etihad Flight

For Charlotte transplant Markus Lachenmeir, traveling is in his blood. He’s visited all 50 U.S. states and 56 different countries, and this spring he will add another destination to his list.

Lachenmeir is among the first passengers booked on the inaugural flight from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) operated by Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Etihad plans to operate four weekly nonstop flights from CLT utilizing its flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The route was initially scheduled to start on May 4, 2026; however, strong bookings led Etihad to move up the start date to March 20, 2026.

Inaugural Pull

Lachenmeir said he began considering a possible trip as soon as the new route was announced last spring. “An inaugural flight is always a special experience, especially if it’s a huge one like this,” said Lachenmeier, who plans to connect with business colleagues in India, but not before enjoying a few days in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

“Experiencing the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, visiting the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace and the Qasr Al Hosn Fort are on my to-do list, as is the Zayed National Museum (which opened in Dec. 2025) with its stunning architecture,” he added.

Lachenmeir was born and raised in Munich, Germany, moved to the U.S. twelve years ago and recently became a U.S. citizen. He works as a project manager in warehouse automation and robotics, including an early-career role at the Munich Airport.

“Being in that environment, surrounded by people from all over the place, and seeing what impact easy travel can have on people’s lives, made aviation and the airport even more special,” said Lachenmeir, who became an avid plane spotter here in Charlotte.

CLT’s Longest Flight

The 15-hour flight to Abu Dhabi will be CLT’s longest nonstop flight and also the longest for Lachenmeir.

“Twelve hours so far was the most, and that is really stretching it,” he admitted. “However, the Dreamliner is an amazing plane which is quiet and supports these long flights because of its higher air pressure and higher humidity onboard, just like the Airbus 350. They really are the most comfortable planes for a long journey like this.”

Etihad Airways said it identified Charlotte as a promising hub and a fast-growing city that would meet the demand for one-stop connections to the Middle East and beyond, especially to India and Southeast Asia.

Charlotte will be Etihad’s sixth U.S. market. Tickets are on sale now at Etihad.com.