Abu Dahbi | March 4, 2015– Etihad Airways announced today the airline’s new Airbus A380 service takes flight beginning December 1, 2015 for guests traveling between New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport and the airline’s Abu Dhabi home. The A380 features The Residence by Etihad™, the airline’s ultra-luxurious and private three-room suite in the sky, a first in commercial aviation.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The United States is a strategically important part of Etihad Airways’ growing global network and as a result of increased demand from our guests traveling between New York and Abu Dhabi — and onto the world, we are pleased to upgrade one of our two daily flights to an A380.

“At Etihad Airways, we are committed to offering unmatched luxury, comfort and convenience for our guests traveling with us across every class of service. New York marks the first U.S. destination where we will introduce our industry-leading A380 aircraft products and experience.”

Etihad Airways will continue to offer double daily service between New York’s JFK Airport and Abu Dhabi. The addition of the A380 will allow Etihad Airways to match capacity with increased demand. In 2014 alone, Etihad Airways’ Business and Economy Class load factors exceeded 80% on the popular route.

The two daily flights offer guests traveling from New York access to 709 weekly connections to 34 markets across the Gulf, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Africa and South East Asia. With equity partner Jet Airways, Etihad Airways serves 15 unique destinations in India from Abu Dhabi.

The Residence by Etihad has captured the imagination of the air travel industry since it was unveiled in May 2014. Measuring 125 square feet in area, The Residence by Etihad features a private living room, separate en-suite shower room, bedroom with a double bed, and a dedicated Savoy Academy trained Butler to look after the needs of its discerning guests. The revolutionary cabin features a large 32” LCD monitor in the living room and a 24” version in the bedroom. Located on the forward upper deck of the A380, The Residence by Etihad is available for single or double occupancy.

The A380 is also the only aircraft in the Etihad Airways fleet to feature nine First Apartments in the industry’s first ever single aisle cabin on a wide body aircraft. Each apartment offers a private living space with a large Poltrona Frau leather lounge chair and an ottoman — the latter which opens up to become a separate 80.5” long fully flat bed. Each First Apartment also offers a 74 per cent increase in space over the airline’s current award-winning First Class suites, a 24” swiveling LCD TV monitor and personal vanity unit. A fully equipped shower room is available for exclusive use by First Class guests.

70 Business Studios, set in a 1-2-1 configuration, are located on the upper deck of the A380, providing guests with a 20 per cent increase in personal space, direct aisle access and a fully flat bed of up to 80.5” in length. Upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather, each Business Studio is equipped with in-seat massage and a pneumatic cushion control system. This unique feature is also installed in The Residence by Etihad and the First Apartment seating.

The Lobby, available to guests in First and Business Class, is a serviced lounge and bar area located between the two cabins, featuring leather sofas, refreshments and a large TV with USB connection.

415 Economy Smart Seats are located on the main deck and feature enhanced comfort with unique, ergonomic ‘fixed wing’ headrests, lumbar support and a larger 11.1” personal TV monitor.

The airline has introduced the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system with a new, modern interface onboard the A380, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming, and high definition touchscreens across all cabins. The system also has video touchscreen handsets in all cabins, offering an additional screen so guests can play games or view the moving map while watching their chosen program. Noise cancelling headsets are provided across all cabins with built-in magnetic audio jacks for superior sound quality. The A380 is equipped with full mobile and Wi-Fi service, and USB and power points at every seat in every cabin, as well as seven channels of Live TV.

• Etihad Airways’ A380 superjumbo makes debut with three-room penthouse cabin – THE RESIDENCE BY ETIHAD – to challenge travel by executive jet

Abu Dhabi | December 27, 2014– Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates today (Saturday), launched its first Airbus A380 aircraft from London Heathrow to its Abu Dhabi hub incorporating the world’s most exclusive commercial airline seat, costing $20,000.

Flight EY12 departed with a full complement of 498 passengers (two in the Residence, nine in First, 70 in Business and 417 in Economy) on schedule at 9.15am and is due to land in the UAE capital at 8.15pm local time tonight. The double decker superjumbo aircraft will operate daily on the London-Abu Dhabi route and by August 2015 on all its three services.

The Etihad Airways A380 is set to change the landscape of commercial aviation with the introduction of its new cabins – including the ultra-luxurious Residence by Etihad.

The Residence by Etihad features a living room, separate ensuite shower room, and bedroom, and as another first in the airline industry, a dedicated Butler. With facilities normally only associated with travel on private jets, the three-room apartment costs a cool $20,000 (£14,000) one way between London and Abu Dhabi, making it the world’s most in commercial aviation. But that is still barely a 10th of the cost of chartering a private jet for the trip. Measuring 125 square feet in total, it is located on the forward upper deck of the A380 and can accommodate either one person or two people travelling together..

Miami-based businessman and aviation enthusiast, Mr. Gino Bertuccio, became the first person to experience the private multi-room cabin on the inbound flight from Abu Dhabi.

And there to support him on the inaugural flight was British national, Georgina Henderson, one of the Etihad Airways Butlers who received specialist training at the Savoy Butler Academy in London prior to the launch of the A380.

Clive Wratten, UK Country Manager for Etihad Airways, said: “London is one of the world’s most competitive aviation markets and it’s significant that we are deploying our first A380 from our capital city.

“We’re immensely proud of all the cabins on board the A380, which take facilities in each class of travel to a new level. The Residence by Etihad™ brings the experience of flying on a private jet into commercial aviation. We’re delivering this unique experience at a fraction of the price of hiring a private aircraft.

“Mr Bertuccio has become the first of an elite group of Etihad Airways guests who will enjoy the world’s most luxurious and exclusive hospitality and service experience in the air.”

A dedicated VIP Concierge team ensured all aspects of Mr. Bertuccio’s experience, including luxury limousine transfers, check-in, and custom menu planning, were handled with the utmost personal attention, dedication and care.

Mr. Bertuccio who runs Ligi Import Corp, has been passionate about flying since a young age. He flew on his first inaugural 25 years ago and has since travelled on 22 inaugural and final flights in premium class cabins. He is an avid collector of airline memorabilia with nearly 2000 model airplanes, as well as albums filled with boarding passes, certificates and photos from past flights.

Mr Bertuccio said: “There were many firsts on this inaugural flight – new amenities, services and other innovations to try. Flying in the Residence by Etihad was a truly unique adventure, the top of luxury. My only wish was that the flight was longer, I didn’t want to get off. It was an amazing experience, a lifetime experience. It looks like a cruise line cabin.”

The addition of the Airbus A380 underlines Etihad Airways’ strong growth performance with the airline set to comfortably pass its total of 11.5 million passengers carried in 2013.

Chris Butler, Director of Airline Business Development for London Heathrow Airport, said: “Etihad Airways has been flying out of London Heathrow since 2004 and we’re delighted the airline chose this airport as its first destination for the A380.

“The airline continues to offer air travellers the very best service – including premium guests using its Terminal 4 lounge – and we look forward to working with the Etihad Airways team as it introduces more A380s onto its network in 2015.”

With the addition of an A380 on the Abu Dhabi – Sydney route, in June 2015, guests will be able to enjoy the luxury of Etihad Airways’ A380 from the UK to Australia.

In addition to the Residence by Etihad™, the A380 also features 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.

A total of 70 Business Studios are located on the upper deck of the A380 all offering aisle access and a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches long. The upper deck of the A380 is allocated to the premium cabins.

The Economy Smart Seat also debuts on the A380 and has enhanced comfort with the unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat.

United Arab Emirates | May 4, 2014 — Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the first destinations for its first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline’s first A380 will operate commercially to London Heathrow from December 2014. A second A380 will operate on the same route from Q1 2015. By the end of 2015, Etihad Airways will have five of the type in operation, with plans to also introduce A380 operations to both Sydney and New York JFK.

The first Etihad Airways B787-9 will enter commercial service in December 2014, with a second aircraft entering service in January 2015. As with the A380, by the end of 2015, Etihad Airways will have five of the type in operation. The first B787s will initially be deployed on Washington DC, Düsseldorf and Mumbai, with further route announcements to follow.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The A380 will be used to provide additional seats on existing routes where there is a need for increased capacity, and in particular, high demand for first and business class travel.”

Etihad Airways has a total of 10 A380s on firm order. Four A380s will arrive in 2015, three in 2016 and two in 2017.

Each aircraft is designed to carry 498 passengers in four living spaces on the aircraft. This includes two VIP customers in The Residence by Etihad™, nine customers in the innovative First Class Apartments, 70 customers in the new Business Class Studios, and 417 customers in Economy Class.

Mr. Baumgartner added:  “Today is an historic day in the Etihad Airways story. We are the fastest growing airline in commercial aviation, and by unveiling our plans for this magnificent aircraft and setting new benchmarks in onboard product, service, hospitality and style, we have redefined what flying is all about.”

Etihad Airways also has major plans for the B787 which enters the fleet in Q4 2014.

The mostly composite aircraft will be deployed from December between Abu Dhabi and Düsseldorf, and services to Washington DC and Mumbai will commence in January 2015.  Services to other cities will be confirmed in 2015 as more B787s enter the airline’s aircraft fleet.

The airline has a total of 71 B787s scheduled for delivery between the end of 2014 and 2023, including 41 B787-9s and 30 B787-10s, making it the largest operator of the aircraft type in the world.

Two B787s are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2014 with three due to arrive in 2015, three in 2016 and nine in 2017.  All five initial B787 deliveries will have three living spaces aboard the aircraft, configured to carry 235 customers.

There are eight First Suites in First Class, 28 Business Studios in Business Class and 199 Economy Smart Seats in Economy Class.

Mr. Baumgartner said:  “The B787 is a fantastic addition to our fleet and, similar to the A380, it sets new standards in terms of passenger comfort, product and, crucially, economics.

“Over the coming years this next-generation aircraft will be used by Etihad Airways to launch flights to new destinations, add capacity in existing markets and progressively replace existing, less-efficient aircraft.”

Some of the initial Etihad Airways A380 and B787 flights may be booked from today, online at etihad.com, through the Etihad Airways contact centre, or via travel agents.

• A380 will debut The Residence by Etihad™ – the only three-room cabin in the sky

• New contemporary living spaces on A380 and B787 to transform air travel

• First Apartment, First Suites, Business Studio, and Economy Smart Seat to debut

United Arab Emirates | May 4, 2014 — Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has unveiled the new product and service offering 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.

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. Customers in The Residence will also have a personal butler.

With the launch of these new fleets, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will also redefine and rename its cabin classes.

The A380 will feature 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 system has video touchscreen handsets, offering an additional screen for customers to maximise their entertainment, so they can play games or view a moving flight route 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.

The new cabins and service offering follow the airline’s pledge to transform air travel and make every customer 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.”

Believing that no single design agency could deliver its vision for the new cabins, Etihad Airways established in 2008 the Etihad Design Consortium (EDC) which brought together three leading British design companies, Acumen, Factorydesign and Honour Branding to develop innovative cabin and seat designs for the new fleets.

The EDC collaborated with Promise Communispace, a leading agency, to launch comprehensive consumer research and workshops in London, Abu Dhabi, Sydney, and New York, with the goal of understanding what makes a ‘perfect flight’ and asking consumers to help design the perfect airline.

Eighty per cent of the new product offering is a direct result of the feedback and information garnered from these workshops.

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 Middle East with contemporary design.

The Residence by Etihad

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.

Customers in The Residence will have 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.

They 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 to create 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 the prestigious Italian suppliers of Ferrari’s interiors, Poltrona Frau. The ottoman transforms into a separate 80 inch long fully flatbed.

The First Apartment, which also includes features such as a chilled mini-bar, a personal vanity unit and a swivelling TV monitor for viewing from either the seat or the bed, has a 74 per cent larger footprint than the airline’s current award-winning first class suites.

A fully equipped shower room is available on the A380 for exclusive use by first class customers.

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 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 news and sport TV channels..

Economy Smart Seat

New Economy Smart Seat will offer an ergonomic fixed-wing headrest, to give customers a place to rest their head for added comfort and relaxation.

The seat also has a lumbar support feature, allowing customers 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 customers.

Importantly for the airline’s Muslim customers, 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 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.

To view images and video of the new cabins, please click on the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEhl8GyXfBY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqZZHT5dvMU