Etihad adopts hotel approach with new cabins
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Etihad Airways has announced that its Airbus A380s will feature a three-room cabin among its plans to bring a boutique hotel experience to its flights.
The Residence by Etihad will take up the front of the A380’s upper deck and has a living room, separate double bedroom, en-suite shower room and services of a butler. It can be bought for single or double occupancy with each having its own colours, carpets and table designs.
The rest of the upper deck of the Airbus aircraft will have nine First Apartments – private suites with separate reclining lounge seats and full-length beds; a mini-bar; personal vanity space and wardrobe. These will be in a 1-1 configuration and a shower room will be available for the first class guests.
Its A380s will also include a serviced lounge and bar area for first and business class guests.
The video below shows how The Residence will look. Keep scrolling for more news on the cabins.
New business and economy seats
Etihad’s A380s will also include the Business Studio and Economy Smart Seat, as will the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Business Studio seats have 20% more space than its current business class while the new economy seat has added headrest space and 11-inch monitor screens. A new in-flight entertainment system will be available on the new aircraft with more options.
The Dreamliners will also feature an updated version of the airline’s First Suite with an 80.5-inch full-flat bed and armrests that drop to create a ‘double’ bed, as well as a chilled mini-bar and 23-inch TV monitor.
“Raising standards”
“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,” said Etihad’s president and CEO James Hogan.
“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.”
Workshops were held in Abu Dhabi, London, New York and Sydney to create the new cabin and seat designs with 80% of the new offering based on the feedback.
‘A boutique feel’
Etihad wants its customers to feel like they are stepping into a hotel when they board the new aircraft.
All equipment will be hidden behind Arabic screens and blinds while the trolleys are covered in wood-finish doors. Curtained-off prayer areas will be available, while artwork and artefacts will be displayed in the premium cabins.
All dining equipment and amenities will be updated.
A380 London-bound
Etihad’s first A380 will be flying from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi from December this year.
A second A380 will operate on the same route from the first quarter of 2015 and plans are also in place to fly the aircraft to Sydney and New York JFK.
The first Dreamliner destinations include Washington DC, Dusseldorf and Mumbai.
Comments are closed.