ABU DHABI- Etihad Airways (EY) is marking the arrival of three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft this weekend. The flagship carrier of the UAE received the latest additions to its growing fleet at Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH).
Commencing operations this month, these new aircraft play a pivotal role in Etihad’s strategic growth plan, aiming to reach 125 destinations with a fleet exceeding 160 aircraft by the year 2030.
Etihad Welcomes Three Boeing 787s
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, expressed excitement about the arrival of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliners in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing their significance in the airline’s network expansion strategy.
Introducing these state-of-the-art aircraft aligns with Etihad’s commitment to Abu Dhabi. It enhances its capability to connect more travelers to the UAE capital, whether it be as a final destination or during a layover for connections across the expanding network.
These 787-9s will play a crucial role as Etihad launches new destinations in the upcoming months, including Boston, Nairobi, and Bali, along with summer routes to Nice, Malaga, Mykonos, and Santorini.
The recent additions to the fleet, including the 787-10 received in October 2023, have provided increased capacity to support the airline’s continuous network expansion.
Etihad’s commitment to sustainability is evident through the operation of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners, known for their remarkable fuel efficiency, contributing to the airline’s overall fleet of 88 aircraft, which includes the Airbus A380, A350, A320 family, and Boeing 777.
Redesigned Cabins and Comfy Seats
Etihad’s recently introduced 787 Dreamliner boasts a redesigned cabin interior, providing passengers with a comfortable and spacious environment that reflects Etihad’s renowned signature style.
The two-class aircraft, featuring 32 Business Suites and 271 seats in Economy, introduces a fresh cabin design, making Etihad the first airline globally to incorporate the Elements seat by Collins in the Boeing 787 Business cabin.
The Business Suites in this Dreamliner offer an exclusive and personalized seating experience. Each suite ensures ample space, comfort, and privacy, with direct aisle access, fully lie-flat beds measuring 78 inches, a 17.3-inch 4K TV screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, multiple charging ports, and ample storage options.
In the Economy class, the new 787 presents lighter and more fuel-efficient seats than the existing fleet, with 217 standard seats and 54 Extra Legroom seats providing an additional four inches of legroom. These slimmer profile seats not only enhance comfort but also create a sense of increased space for all passengers.
Better In-Flight Connectivity
Passengers can enjoy cutting-edge in-flight entertainment with Safran’s Rave Ultra 13.3-inch 4K touch-screen monitors. The entertainment system allows personal phones and tablets to pair with the screen for use as a remote.
The aircraft is equipped with Viasat’s new connectivity solution using Ka-band technology, delivering high-speed Wi-Fi with streaming capabilities and Live TV, including news and sports channels.
Etihad’s Wi-Fly provides complimentary chat packages for Etihad Guest members, while guests have the option to purchase a full Surf package with unlimited data for the duration of the flight.
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