It was in Dubai, at the Arabian Travel Market, that Etihad put on a show on 1 May by unveiling its new business class. It will therefore equip Boeing 787 DreamlinersThree new members will join the fleet in the third quarter of 2023, marking the arrival of this new Business class. It is in fact a variation on the new Business Class introduced last year on the airline's A350s, as Antonoaldo Neves, Managing Director of Etihad Airways, explains. The new cabin interior on Etihad's 787 Dreamliner features further enhancements to our award-winning and industry-renowned cabins. Our new Business Class takes the passenger experience to new heights with the second evolution of the Business Studio which was launched on the Airbus A350-1000 last year. ".
Following in the footsteps of the European aircraft manufacturer, the Dreamliners will also feature a insulated business class insulation, a raised door, which should significantly increase the privacy of the business traveller.
Wireless entertainment and recharging
The new Business cabin will have a capacity of 32 seats - compared with 44 on the A350-1000 - configured as 1-2-1. All passengers will have direct access to the aisle. The new Elements seats designed by Collins - a first on board a 777 - will be converted into a fully flat bed 78 inches long.
In terms of entertainment, the system supplied by Safran promises an accomplished experience. The seats will feature a 17.3-inch 4K TV screen, equipped with a Bluetooth to connect wireless headphones. It will also be possible to recharge electrical appliances wirelessly, and travellers will be able to connect their smartphone to use it as an IFE remote control. As for connectivity, recently highlighted by Etihad which now offers messaging servicesIt will be based on the Viasat system, which provides access to high-speed Wi-Fi, in-flight streaming and live television.
La economy class should also benefit from the new features unveiled by Etihad. In particular, the airline is highlighting "a seat that offers a greater sense of space thanks to intelligent design and adjustments, including a slimmer armrest". The seat will also feature a 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen with USB charging port.
" We remain committed to providing our customers with first-class experiences and are proud to demonstrate this here at the Arabian Travel Market. "Antonoaldo Neves continued: " This is a year of growth for Etihad - as well as enhancing the customer experience and adding aircraft to our fleet, we have announced new routes for our network, including Kolkata last month, Lisbon, Malaga and Mykonos this summer, and Copenhagen and Düsseldorf in the fourth quarter. ".
