Etihad Airways, the national airline of United Arab Emirates, today introduced its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner into commercial service.
The first flight, operated by a Boeing 787-9, departed Abu Dhabi at 0215 as flight EY23 for the 7-hour, 25-minute flight to Düsseldorf, Germany. The flight arrived at 0640 the same morning. The return service from Düsseldorf to Abu Dhabi departs at 1020 with a scheduled arrival time of 1950 back in Abu Dhabi.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the departure gate to mark the occasion, attended on behalf of Etihad Airways by Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, Khaled Al Mehairbi, Senior Vice President Government Aero Political Affairs, Richard Hill, Chief Operations Officer, and Ali Al Shamsi, Vice President Abu Dhabi Hub.
Special gift packs were handed to guests on the inaugural flight, including luggage tags, passport holders and commemorative B787 certificates.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is a tremendous milestone for Etihad Airways. The Boeing 787 is without doubt the most technologically advanced aircraft in its class. It will provide us with a clear reduction in operating costs and carbon emissions, at maximum reliability and efficiency. The dimensions and unique features of this aircraft have allowed us to customise it with the most innovative and sophisticated cabins, providing our guests with levels of comfort and attention to detail not previously enjoyed by the modern airline traveller.”
Etihad Airways revolutionary new B787 interiors feature 8 First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats, offering superior levels of comfort, entertainment and in-flight connectivity. On-board décor and lighting has been inspired by contemporary modern Arabian design, complementing the new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ design identity recently introduced by the airline.
Etihad Airways’ order for two variants of the B787 (-9 and -10), is one of the largest for the type, totalling 71 aircraft. The airline will place the aircraft on other key medium and long-haul routes such as Washington DC, Mumbai, Moscow and Brisbane, with more destinations being added as the airline takes delivery of more of the type. The airline will also begin taking delivery of B787s in a two-class configuration from 2016.
The wide-body Boeing 787-9 is a stretched version of the advanced medium to long-range twin engine B787-8, with a range of up to 8,300 nautical miles and a cruising speed of Mach 0.85. It is 206 feet in length and has a wingspan of 197 feet.
The lightweight composite materials used in the aircraft mean that the B787 uses up to 30% less fuel than other aircraft in its category and as a result produces a comparable reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The B787 also uses a number of new technologies to ensure that the aircraft’s noise footprint is more that 60% smaller than other aircraft of its size.
A ribbon cutting ceremony for Etihad Airways’ inaugural B787 flight with Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Khaled Al Mehairbi, Etihad Airways Senior Vice President Government Aero Political Affairs, Ahmed Al Shamsi, Head of Aviation Security, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Richard Hill, Etihad Airways Chief Operations Officer, Ali Al Shamsi, Etihad Airways Vice President Abu Dhabi Hub, flanked by two Etihad Airways cabin crew.
FIRST SUITE FEATURES – 8 FIRST SUITES
26” wide reclining lounge chair upholstered by Poltrona Frau
Ottoman upholstered by Poltrona Frau
Carry-on stowage under ottoman
Seat converts into 80.5” fully flat rectangular bed
Electronic seat controls and in-seat massage
23” x 20” dining table
Decorative sconce lighting
24” TV monitor with noise-cancelling headsets
Chilled mini-bar (keeps drinks cold for up to 15 hours)
58” high sliding door
First Suites boast three colour palettes with different leather colours and accents.
BUSINESS STUDIO FEATURES – 28 BUSINESS STUDIOS
22” wide reclining lounge chair with headrest upholstered by Poltrona Frau
Converts to flat bed of up to 80.5” forward facing and 75.7” aft facing
Electronic seat controls and in-seat massage
16” x 18” dining table
Large side furniture surface
Ottoman upholstered by Poltrona Frau with carry-on stowage underneath
Side stowage cabinet
Decorative sconce lighting
18” TV monitor and noise-cancelling headsets
ECONOMY SMART SEAT FEATURES – 199 ECONOMY SMART SEATS
17.2” wide seat, with innovative fixed-wing head-rest upholstered with camel leather
31”-33” pitch
6” recline
Adjustable lumbar support
11.1” TV monitor with noise-cancelling headsets
All IFE peripherals in seat-back
· Magnetic audio jack
