At an event in Seattle on 27 September, Etihad Airways and Boeing officially celebrated the roll out of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner. The aircraft features Etihad’s new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery which was unveiled in Hamburg, Germany earlier that week.
“Our new fleet of B787s will set customer service expectations for the airline industry, delivering the highest levels of comfort and choice across all classes of service,” stated James Hogan, President and CEO of Etihad Airways Aviation Group.
Etihad’s first B787-9 will be delivered in December 2014, with more than 40 international routes identified for future operation by the airline’s Dreamliners. The aircraft will initially operate between Abu Dhabi and Düsseldorf and between Abu Dhabi and Doha. Services to Brisbane, Mumbai, Moscow and Washington D.C. will follow in the first half of 2015.
Etihad has also revamped its product offering on the B787 based on extensive consumer research, with refinements in all three cabins. The new First Suite on the B787 will offer guests a private sanctuary with many new features, including a chilled mini-bar and 5-star cuisine prepared on board by world-class chefs. The new Business Studio will offer larger seats, all of which have direct aisle access and convert to a fully flat, pneumatically adjustable bed. The Economy Smart Seat is an industry-first and will provide unparalleled comfort for travellers with a new ‘fixed wing’ headrest, maximising comfort and enhancing the sleep experience.
The B787 will also feature the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high-definition screens in all cabins.