Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola celebrates world pilots’ day with Etihad Airways

Pep visited the airline’s state-of-the-art flight training academy in Abu Dhabi.

In the video, Pep meets eight-year-old Alban, an aspiring young pilot dreaming of flying for Etihad one day.

Pep Guardiola commented: "It was a pleasure to visit the Etihad training academy and meet Alban. I fully believe the Etihad Airways crew are exceptional at what they do and represent the airline so well. It was a pleasure to step into their shoes for a brief moment to learn about their roles.”

Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We’re proud of Etihad’s pilots and the training they do to fly our guests safely around the world. To celebrate World Pilots’ Day, we wanted to provide a window into their world by flying in Pep Guardiola to Abu Dhabi to challenge him to a flying lesson. Together with our long-standing partners Manchester City FC, we would like to say thank you to all pilots for their contribution to connecting the world.”

In the video, they take in the sights of the iconic Yas Marina Circuit and the striking red roof of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi as they come into land in the UAE’s capital, from where Etihad Airways operates to more than 60 destinations.