We're just one week away from Etihad opening a brand new direct route between Washington Dulles and Abu Dhabi, but that's not the only thing going on at the airport. In the first 13 weeks of 2013, a lot has gone on here at Dulles, such as:
After a 6 week absence starting in mid-January, Air France's A380 returned on March 1st, operating as AFR54 between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Washington Dulles, the same flight number it flew previously. The flight was operated primarily by a 777-300ER and sometimes a 777-200 in the A380's absence.
On January 30th, Brussels Airlines announced their second transcontinental destination will be to Washington Dulles. Using their partnership with United, who operates a major hub here, the airline intends to reach out to destinations across the US. The route will begin June 18th and will be flown 5 times a week by an A330 with fully lie flat beds in business class and ergonomic economy class seats.
On February 1st, Emirates' Washington to Dubai flight was upgraded from a 777-200LR to a 777-300ER, boosting the route's capacity from nearly 100 seats from 266 to around 360. The route, operating as UAE231, opened in September of 2012 operated by a 777-200LR.
[UNCONFIRMED] While it is unknown whether there is any truth to this rumor, British Airways is rumored to begin flying its 787s to Dulles by the end of the year with flights beginning as early as July 16th, should no further problems occur with the aircraft or its delivery schedule. I must stress that this is only a rumor, and that it should be taken with a grain of salt.
