Etihad Airways takes ownership of a very different B787 Dreamliner aircraft

Etihad and Boeing called it a historic event in the airline’s industry. Etihad announced a new direction the airline is taking.

Peter Baumgartner, the Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad, told eTN: “We did not order this aircraft out of a catalogue. As the national carrier of the UAE and an airline with a 5-star service, very specific requirements assuring maximum comfort are required by our team. We are a demanding client for Boeing, and sometimes tough discussions made this and our future Dreamliner aircrafts different and better.”

Etihad has firm orders for 71 Boeing wide-body aircraft which include 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s.

The total value for this order exceeds $4 billion. “This is not only an important day for Etihad, but also for the United States of America and relations with the Unite Arab Emirates, securing two-hundred thousands jobs in the United States”, said Peter Baumgartner.

Etihad Airways and Boeing celebrated the roll out of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner at an event in Seattle, Washington Saturday night.

The event at Boeing was attended by Etihad and Boeing senior management including Larry Loftis Boening VP, ,H.E Abdulla Alsaboosi UAE Consul based in Los Angeles, by Etihad leaders including Peter Baumgartner (CCO Etihad), Geert W. Boven, Senior VP President Americasm Haitham Hasan Al-Sulbaihi, VP Mid Atlantic, USA.

The aircraft featured Etihad Airways’ new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery which was unveiled in Hamburg, Germany this week.

Peter Baumgartner, the Chief Commercial Officer for Etihad Airways Aviation Group, said the airline was proud to be one of the world’s largest customers for the B787 Dreamliner.

“Our new fleet of B787s will set customer service expectations for the airline industry, delivering the highest levels of comfort and choice across all classes of service.”

Ray Conner, President and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: “Etihad Airways is one of the most forward-thinking airlines of the world and we’re proud to have their trust and confidence in the Dreamliner.”

Etihad Airways’ first Boeing 787-9 will be delivered in December 2014, and more than 40 international routes have been identified for future operation by the airline’s Dreamliners. The aircraft will initially operate between Abu Dhabi and Düsseldorf and between Abu Dhabi and Doha. Services to Brisbane, Mumbai, Moscow and Washington D.C. will follow in the first half of 2015.

Etihad Airways has also revamped its product offering on the B787 based on extensive consumer research, with refinements in all three cabins.

The new First Suite on the B787 will offer guests a private sanctuary with many new features, including a chilled mini-bar and 5-star cuisine prepared on board by world-class chefs. The new Business Studio offers larger seats, all of which have direct aisle access and convert to a fully flat, pneumatically adjustable bed. The Economy Smart Seat is an industry-first and provides unparalleled comfort for travelers with a new ‘fixed wing’ headrest, maximising comfort and enhancing the sleep experience. The B787 will also feature the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high-definition screens in all cabins.

The new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery uses a color palette which reflects the varying hues of the landscape of the UAE, from the darker sands of the Liwa desert to the lighter colours seen in the Northern Emirates. The result of extensive research, the design will also be a key feature of the new cabin interiors being introduced on Etihad Airways’ Boeing 787 aircraft.

To view videos of the roll-out event and the B787, please click on the following links:
· B787 roll-out event – http://bit.ly/1rnWkWK
· B787 Assembly time-lapse – http://bit.ly/1prQfDZ
· B787 Painting time-lapse – http://bit.ly/1v3UgoA
· B787 Livery artist impression – http://bit.ly/1pcORpu