Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab
Emirates, has officially unveiled its Boeing B787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380
aircraft, along with The Residence by Etihad™, the world’s most luxurious
living space in the air, available only on the airline’s A380 aircraft.
Unveiled at a global media launch in Abu Dhabi today, Sunday
4 May, the new cabins and service offering follow the airline’s pledge to
transform air travel and make every guest journey a remarkable one.
With the launch of these new fleets, the Abu Dhabi-based
airline will also redefine and rename its cabin classes.
The A380 will feature the revolutionary First Apartments,
which are fully private suites with a separate reclining lounge seat and
full-length bed, as well as a chilled mini-bar, personal vanity unit and
wardrobe.
On the B787, Etihad Airways has designed an enhanced First
Suite, adding many new features including a chilled mini-bar. Meanwhile, the
Business Studio and Economy Smart Seat will feature on both the A380 and the
B787.
Etihad Airways is introducing the latest Panasonic eX3
entertainment system across both fleets, providing more than 750 hours of
on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high definition screens across all
cabins.
The system has video touchscreen handsets, offering an
additional screen for guests to maximize their entertainment, so they can play
games or view the moving map while watching a movie.
Noise cancelling headsets are provided across all cabins,
with built-in magnetic audio jacks to ensure the best sound quality.
The A380 aircraft will have full mobile and Wi-Fi service
while the B787 will be equipped with Wi-Fi.
Etihad Airways’ design vision was to bring the individuality
and exclusivity of a luxury boutique hotel experience to the sky in a way that
embraced Arabian Modernism, an aesthetic that combines the traditions of the region
with contemporary design.
The Residence by
Etihad™
The Residence, on the upper-deck of the A380, which is
certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for one or two guests,
offers levels of luxury and total privacy normally found only on private jets.
Each Etihad Airways A380 will offer a boutique version of
The Residence with different color palettes, table marquetry and custom
carpets.
Guests in The Residence will enjoy complete privacy in their
private living room, separate double bedroom and ensuite shower room as well as
the services of a personal Butler throughout their flight. These fully trained
service professionals will receive specialist training at the Savoy Butler
Academy in London.
Guests in The Residence will also have a dedicated VIP
Travel Concierge team who will ensure every detail of their travel experience,
including ground transport, cuisine, and amenities, are tailored to their
requirements.
First Apartments
Etihad Airways will redefine First Class and set a
remarkable new industry standard with the launch of the First Apartment on the
A380.
Nine First Apartments will be installed on the upper deck in
a 1-1 configuration creating the only single aisle First Class cabin in the
industry.
Each First Apartment, which has a 64 inch high sliding door,
includes a reclining armchair and a full-length ottoman, both upholstered by
Poltrona Frau. The ottoman transforms into a separate 80 inch long fully
flatbed.
The First Apartment, which also includes unique features
such as a chilled mini-bar, a personal vanity unit and a swiveling TV monitor
for viewing from either the seat or the bed, is 74 per cent larger than its current
award-winning First Class Suites.
Guests can also take advantage of a fully equipped shower
room, exclusively for First Class guests.
First Suites
On the B787, Etihad Airways has designed an enhanced First
Suite with many new features. The eight First Suites in a 1-2-1 configuration
along a unique curved aisle, another first in commercial aviation.
Each completely private First Suite has a large seat and
ottoman, both upholstered by Poltrona Frau, which converts into an 80.5 inch
long full-flat bed.
On the centre seats, the armrests retract and the suites can
be joined to create a ‘double’ bed. Other features include a chilled mini-bar
and a 24 inch TV monitor.
Business Studios
On both the A380 and the B787, Etihad Airways will launch
its new Business Studios which provide 20 per cent more personal space than the
airline’s current business class seat.
Configured 1-2-1 in a forward and aft ‘dovetail’, the
Business Studios all have aisle access and the seat converts into a fully flat bed
of up to 80.5 inches long.
With its privacy, ample storage and surface space, the
Business Studio has been designed with the diverse needs of the premium
business or leisure traveller firmly in mind.
The Lobby
On the Airbus A380, First and Business Class guests will be
able to relax in The Lobby which is a serviced lounge and bar area located
between the First and Business cabins.
Providing a semi-circular leather sofa, a marquetry table
and a large TV screen, The Lobby is designed for relaxing and socialising.
The TV has a USB connection so it can be used for sharing
content or it can also be set to the airline’s Live TV channels for sporting
and other events.
Economy Smart Seat
New Economy Smart Seat will offer a unique ergonomic
fixed-wing headrest, giving guests a place to rest their head for added comfort
and relaxation.
The seat also has a lumbar support feature, allowing guests
to adjust their seat comfort, and an 11 inch personal monitor screen, with all
the IFE peripherals conveniently set into the seatback in front.
The latest Panasonic eX3 personal entertainment system, of
which Etihad Airways is a launch customer, is installed across all cabins
Cabin Entrances
A key design objective for Etihad Airways was to transform
the boarding experience making it more akin to stepping into the lobby of a
boutique hotel.
In all entry-ways in both aircraft and in all cabins, the
galley equipment is concealed behind custom Arabic fretwork screens and blinds,
while the trolleys are covered by elegant wood-finish doors, setting a stylish
and welcoming environment for all guests.
Importantly for the airline’s Muslim guests, Etihad Airways
has developed prayer areas which can be curtained off for privacy and are
equipped with a real-time electronic Qibla-finder showing the exact direction
of Mecca based on the aircraft’s geographical position.
In the premium class boarding areas, Etihad Airways will
collaborate with cultural institutions in the UAE to exhibit artwork and
artefacts in display cabinets installed throughout. Items from the Etihad
Airways Boutique Duty Free catalogue will also be displayed.
With the launch of these new aircraft, Etihad Airways will
update its dining equipment, amenities and soft furnishings across its entire
fleet.
Check out video’s of
the new cabins, here:
A380 will operate flights to London from Abu Dhabi with a fare of around 20k USD.
