Etihad Airways has unveiled a new generation of cabins for its incoming Airbus A330-900 fleet as part of a wider overhaul of its passenger experience.
It’s new ‘Beyond Borders’ concept was revealed at Arabian Travel Market, which ran from September 14-17, and will eventually span aircraft interiors, lounges, dining, amenities, wellbeing and connectivity.
The Abu Dhabi carrier also plans to introduce 15 A330-900s over five years, with the first due to enter service in September 2027 on regional and medium-haul routes across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The 280-seat aircraft will feature just four first-class suites, each equipped with a closing privacy door, a 32in IFE screen, wireless charging and dedicated storage. The suites will also provide space for a companion to dine or socialise with the occupant. Twenty-four forward-facing business class seats will offer direct aisle access, fully flat beds, and sliding privacy doors, each featuring a 17.3in screen and wired and wireless charging. Economy will accommodate 252 passengers, including 32 extra legroom seats offering four additional inches of pitch, while all passengers receive 13.3in 4K touchscreens.
Beyond Borders will also spread to Etihad’s existing fleet through new aircraft and retrofit programmes, while the airline intends to increase the number of first-class seats it offers over the next five years. The initiative forms part of a $20bn investment in aircraft and customer experience, including a $1bn fleet retrofit programme.
The airline has also unveiled its next generation lounge experience, which begins with the transformation of London/Heathrow next summer, and also marks the start of a global lounge expansion. This will be the first lounge to introduce the Beyond Borders design language to the ground experience, connecting the airline’s lounges and aircraft through a recognisable look and feel. In time, the lounges will become premium gateways into the Etihad experience and feature dedicated spaces for Business and First guests, alongside private suites for guests travelling in The Residence.
In other news, the airline has also reactivate the last of it’s nine Airbus A380s, and returned it to Abu Dhabi. After six and a half years in storage at Tarbes, the 11 year-old quadjet, A6-APB (c/n 170), flew home on September 17, in readiness for a return to active service, with the airline soon to deploy the type on services to Bangkok.
