Etihad Airways, the flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has reached a significant landmark in pilot training and flight operations. Following rigorous regulatory approvals and intensive pilot training, Etihad has successfully qualified its pilots to operate both Airbus A350 and A380 aircraft interchangeably. This achievement places Etihad among the first airlines worldwide to reach this level of flexibility in pilot proficiency. Typically, airline pilots are certified to fly only one type of aircraft. However, under specific circumstances such as a high degree of similarity in the flight deck, pilot procedures, and through specialized training, pilots can be authorized to operate two similar types of aircraft. This is achieved through a dedicated program approved by both the aircraft manufacturer and the Civil Aviation Authority, referred to as 'Mixed Fleet Flying' or 'MFF'. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Airways, stated: "Etihad Airways takes pride in being among the first airlines to qualify its pilots to operate both the Airbus A350 and A380. This accomplishment strengthens the resilience and adaptability of our network and demonstrates our commitment to constantly pushing the limits of efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction, while always prioritizing safety." Over the past ten years, Etihad has received similar approvals to qualify its Airbus pilots to fly the A320 and A330 interchangeably, and the A330 and A340, as well as its Boeing pilots to fly the 777 and 787 interchangeably. These approvals set new benchmarks for fleet commonality. Building on this legacy, the latest approval to operate both the Airbus A350 and A380 will further boost the efficiency and flexibility of Etihad’s widebody network.