Etihad Airways rolls out first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Speaking on the occasion, James Hogan, President and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways Aviation Group, said the airline was proud to be one of the world’s largest customers for the B787 Dreamliner.

Etihad Airways’ first Boeing 787-9 painted in the airline’s stunning new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery. — Supplied photo

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways and plane-maker Boeing celebrated the rollout of its first 787-9 Dreamliner at an event in Seattle, Washington, on Saturday night.

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

Speaking on the occasion, James Hogan, President and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways Aviation Group, said the airline was proud to be one of the world’s largest customers for the B787 Dreamliner.

“We have firm orders for more than 100 Boeing wide-body aircraft which include 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s.

“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,” he said.

In receiving the Airbus A380-800 and their first Boeing B787-9, Etihad Airways is making a huge statement of intent, says Saj Ahmed, an aviation expert with London-based Aero Strategy Research.

He said the airline has built up a sizeable asset portfolio with stakes in a number of airlines and earlier this year showcased its new cabins. These products, he said “will put Etihad Airways right on the top in terms of product offerings and a quality service”.

In operating the world’s most fuel efficient jet in the Boeing787-9, this airplane, along with the bigger 787-10, Etihad will use the 787 fleet as the backbone of its long haul fleet, he said.

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.

“With new routes to the US and beyond, these new long range jets will help the airline tap into a big market” that is presently underserved,” said Ahmed.

He said with these new additions, Etihad Airways will arguably have one of the world’s youngest, modern and most advanced fleets — second only to perhaps Emirates.

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, a statement issued by the airline said.

The new Business Studio offers larger seats, all of which have direct aisle access and convert to a fully flat, pneumatically adjustable bed, Etihad Airways said. The Economy Smart Seat is an industry-first and provides unparalleled comfort for travellers 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 colour 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.

The airline has a fleet of 104 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s.