MUSCAT -- Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, unveiled new products and service offerings on its Airbus A380 and Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft, including 'The Residence by Etihad', the world's most luxurious living space in the air, available only on the airline's A380 aircraft, at a global media launch in Abu Dhabi on May 4. The new cabins and service offering follow the airline's pledge to transform air travel and make every guest journey a remarkable one.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "These new living spaces will raise inflight product and service standards to their highest level yet in commercial aviation and alter air travellers' expectations of inflight comfort and luxury forever."
"Etihad Airways' A380 and B787 will deliver the most advanced airline cabins in the industry, while meeting all weight, range and cost targets at our desired seat count. This will allow us to offer products unparalleled in quality and style, yet at competitive prices across all three cabins," he said.
With the launch of these new fleets, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will also redefine and rename its cabin classes.
The airline will operate its first flight commercially to London Heathrow from December 2014. A second A380 will operate on the same route from the first quarter of 2015. By the end of 2015 Etihad will introduce A380 operations to both Sydney and New York JFK. The first Etihad B787-9 will begin service in December 2014, with a second aircraft entering service in January 2015.
The first B787s will initially be deployed on Washington DC, Dusseldorf and Mumbai, with further route announcements to follow, said Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways.
To a question the CEO, James Hogan, revealed that one-way fare from Abu Dhabi to London will be $20,000 in The Residence.
The Residence will be the breath-taking and completely new forward upper-deck cabin on the A380. Accommodating single or double occupancy, it features a living room, separate double bedroom and ensuite shower room. Guests in The Residence will also have a personal butler.
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.
Etihad Airways has allocated the upper deck of the A380 to its premium cabins.
On the B787, Etihad Airways has designed an enhanced 'First Suite', adding many new features including a chilled mini-bar.
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 A380 aircraft will have full mobile and Wi-Fi service while the B787 will be equipped with Wi-Fi.
The Residence: The Residence, which is certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for single or double occupancy, 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 colour palettes, table marquetry and custom carpets.
Guests in The Residence will have the services of a personal Butler throughout their flight.
First Apartments: Redefining First Class, a new industry standard will be set with 9 First Apartments 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.
A fully equipped shower room is available on the A380 for exclusive use by 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.
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.
© Oman Daily Observer 2014
