Carrier promises ‘new standard’ for single-aisle flying
The first of Etihad Airways’ fleet of A321LR aircraft will enter service on Aug. 1, promising, according to an announcement, a new standard for single-aisle flying with the debut of its all-new Airbus A321LR, “delivering wide-body comfort on short and medium-haul routes.” After the first plane, 10 more A321LR aircraft will join the fleet this year.
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO, said that with new First Suites, 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct-aisle access and upgraded Economy, “we’ve taken the luxury experience which we are famed for on our widebody fleet and adapted it to offer guests the same experience in a single-aisle aircraft — all while keeping them seamlessly connected with superfast, streaming WiFi throughout the journey.”
More broadly, said Neves, “the A321LR marks a transformational moment for Etihad as we accelerate toward our Journey 2030 vision: doubling our fleet size, tripling our passenger numbers and opening 16 new destinations in 2025 alone.”
Etihad’s A321LR introduces an all-new First Suite — described as a private, enclosed space with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, elevated dining and bespoke design touches. With only two First Suites on board, guests, said the announcement, will enjoy an intimate, ultra-premium experience normally reserved for long-haul widebodies.
The First Suite offers additional space for a companion to sit as well as a large 20-inch 4K screen for entertainment, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging.
The new Business cabin features widebody-style seats, all forward-facing with direct-aisle access in a herringbone layout with 14 fully-flat 78-inch beds. Each seat includes a 17.3-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging and ample personal storage.
In Economy, said the announcement,144 seats offer up to a five-inch recline, enhanced ergonomics and generous space. At 18.4 inches wide, according to the airline, it’s one of the widest Economy seats in the industry, providing wide-body comfort to the narrow-body aircraft. Every guest has a 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen, USB charging and access to Etihad’s entertainment system.
The aircraft are equipped with Viasat’s advanced, multi-orbit-ready system, which is capable of speeds of up to 1 Gbps, and available from gate to gate where permitted. All guests have access to streaming, social media, surfing and gaming onboard and live television throughout the cabin.
