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Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today introduced its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner into commercial service.
The first flight, operated by a Boeing 787-9, departed Abu Dhabi at 02.15 as flight EY23 for the 7 hour 25 minute flight to Düsseldorf, Germany. The flight arrived at 06.40 the same morning. The return service from Düsseldorf to Abu Dhabi departs at 10.20 with a scheduled arrival time of 19.50 back in Abu Dhabi.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the departure gate to mark the occasion, attended on behalf of Etihad Airways by Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, Khaled Al Mehairbi, Senior Vice President Government Aero Political Affairs, Richard Hill, Chief Operations Officer, and Ali Al Shamsi, Vice President Abu Dhabi Hub.
Special gift packs were handed to guests on the inaugural flight, including luggage tags, passport holders and commemorative B787 certificates.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "This is a tremendous milestone for Etihad Airways. The Boeing 787 is without doubt the most technologically advanced aircraft in its class. It will provide us with a clear reduction in operating costs and carbon emissions, at maximum reliability and efficiency. The dimensions and unique features of this aircraft have allowed us to customise it with the most innovative and sophisticated cabins, providing our guests with levels of comfort and attention to detail not previously enjoyed by the modern airline traveller."
Etihad Airways revolutionary new B787 interiors feature 8 First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats, offering superior levels of comfort, entertainment and in-flight connectivity. On-board décor and lighting has been inspired by contemporary modern Arabian design, complementing the new 'Facets of Abu Dhabi' design identity recently introduced by the airline.
Etihad Airways' order for two variants of the B787 (-9 and -10), is one of the largest for the type, totalling 71 aircraft. The airline will place the aircraft on other key medium and long-haul routes such as Washington DC, Mumbai, Moscow and Brisbane, with more destinations being added as the airline takes delivery of more of the type. The airline will also begin taking delivery of B787s in a two-class configuration from 2016.
The wide-body Boeing 787-9 is a stretched version of the advanced medium to long-range twin engine B787-8, with a range of up to 8,300 nautical miles and a cruising speed of Mach 0.85. It is 206 feet in length and has a wingspan of 197 feet.
The lightweight composite materials used in the aircraft mean that the B787 uses up to 30% less fuel than other aircraft in its category and as a result produces a comparable reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The B787 also uses a number of new technologies to ensure that the aircraft's noise footprint is more that 60% smaller than other aircraft of its size.
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About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2013 carried 11.5 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 110 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 70 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and nine Airbus A380s.
Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia, Jet Airways and Alitalia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Jet Airways and Etihad Regional also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.
For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
FIRST SUITE FEATURES - 8 FIRST SUITES
- 26" wide reclining lounge chair upholstered by Poltrona Frau
- Ottoman upholstered by Poltrona Frau
- Carry-on stowage under ottoman
- Seat converts into 80.5" fully flat rectangular bed
- Electronic seat controls and in-seat massage
- 23" x 20" dining table
- Decorative sconce lighting
- 24" TV monitor with noise-cancelling headsets
- Chilled mini-bar (keeps drinks cold for up to 15 hours)
- 58" high sliding door
- First Suites boast three colour palettes with different leather colours and accents.
BUSINESS STUDIO FEATURES - 28 BUSINESS STUDIOS
- 22" wide reclining lounge chair with headrest upholstered by Poltrona Frau
- Converts to flat bed of up to 80.5" forward facing and 75.7" aft facing
- Electronic seat controls and in-seat massage
- 16" x 18" dining table
- Large side furniture surface
- Ottoman upholstered by Poltrona Frau with carry-on stowage underneath
- Side stowage cabinet
- Decorative sconce lighting
- 18" TV monitor and noise-cancelling headsets
ECONOMY SMART SEAT FEATURES - 199 ECONOMY SMART SEATS
- 17.2" wide seat, with innovative fixed-wing head-rest upholstered with camel leather
- 31"-33" pitch
- 6" recline
- Adjustable lumbar support
- 11.1" TV monitor with noise-cancelling headsets
- All IFE peripherals in seat-back
- Magnetic audio jack
© Press Release 2015
