Toronto Pearson Airport now serves two of the world's largest passenger planes

Toronto has become one of the handful of cities in the world served by not one, but two Airbus A380 operators, Emirates and now Etihad Airways, cementing Pearson Airport's growing status as a major hub for long-haul travel. 

Etihad Airways officially began A380 service on its Abu Dhabi to Toronto route on June 24, marking the first time the airline has flown its flagship double-decker aircraft to Canada, and the first time Toronto has hosted two different A380 carriers simultaneously in three years. 

Etihad's A380 offers 486 seats across four cabin classes, including The Residence, the world's only three-room suite in the sky, complete with a private living room, bedroom, and ensuite shower. The aircraft also features nine "First Apartments" with lie-flat beds and ottoman seating, 70 Business Studios, and 405 Economy Smart Seats with an extra four inches of space. 

The new aircraft also brings a 31 per cent increase in capacity compared to the previous model serving the route. Etihad flights depart Abu Dhabi daily at 2:40 a.m. and arrive in Toronto at 9 a.m., with return flights leaving Toronto at 1:40 p.m. and landing back at Zayed International Airport at 11 a.m. the next day. 

The addition of Etihad's A380 service builds on the long-established service by Emirates, which has been flying its A380 between Toronto and Dubai since becoming the first carrier to bring the aircraft to Canada.

Emirates increased its frequencies to five flights per week in 2018 and went daily in 2023. 

An Emirates A380 taking off from Toronto Pearson International Airport. Jack Landau.

Emirates' superjumbo aircraft is also known for its luxurious amenities, particularly in first class, where you can enjoy private suites, flat-bed seating, mood lighting, shower spas, an onboard lounge and bar, as well as zero-gravity seat settings.

The aircraft itself is massive, and is roughly the length of two blue whales and as tall as five giraffes, weighing between 51o and 575 tonnes. 

An Emirates A380 taking off from Toronto Pearson International Airport. Jack Landau.

With Etihad's aircraft scheduled to land in Toronto at 9 a.m., and Emirates' flight arriving at 9:30 a.m. daily, it's not just the first time Toronto will be served by two different A380 operators in years, but also marks the rare moment when both superjumbos will be on the ground at Pearson at the same time.