Journalism of Courage
Etihad Rail on Tuesday unveiled the final design of its high-speed train, which is set to launch commercial operations in 2026. Etihad Rail provided a sneak peek of its new train at the Global Rail Conference in Abu Dhabi.
According to the model displayed at the Global Rail Conference, the Etihad Rail high-speed train will have three cabins: economy class, family class and first class.
While the economy class has compact dark grey back-to-back seats for everyday commuters, the family class has opposing seats with a large shared table to encourage social interaction during journeys. First class passengers of Etihad Rail will have wider, adjustable seats with additional legroom, catering to passengers who seek extra comfort.
Irrespective of the class, every cabin will have foldable tray tables, overhead storage, and a designated space for larger baggage.
The trains are designed to accommodate 400 passengers per train and the rail network will feature routes fully separated from roads, enhancing safety by eliminating collision risks.
According to Azza Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Passenger Services, the company is developing a world-class passenger experience that combines comfort, reliability, and affordability, while adopting a “digital tickets first” approach.
The high-speed train service, which becomes operational in 2026, will run at speeds of up to 200 km/hour, dramatically reducing travel times across the UAE.
It will connect 11 cities across the UAE, from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east — passing through Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.
Al Suwaidi told Emirates News Agency that the travel time for the high-speed train from Abu Dhabi to Dubai will be just 57 minutes, while it will be 105 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, and 70 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Ruwais.
According to her, the high-speed railway project will contribute approximately Dhs 145 billion to the UAE’s GDP over the next fifty years, strengthening the country’s position as a leading destination in the new-generation railway sector.
