Latest news with #Journey2030
The National
16-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Etihad Airways' Boeing wide-bodies deal to lift its 2030 plan to double the fleet
Etihad Airways on Friday confirmed its order for 28 Boeing wide-body aircraft with GE engines, a move that underlines accelerating momentum in its plan to double its fleet by 2030. The $14.5 billion commitment between Boeing, GE Aerospace and Etihad was signed during US President Donald Trump's visit to Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Deliveries of the Boeing 787 and 777X jets are expected to start in 2028, a statement from the Abu Dhabi-based airline said on Friday. The deal reflects "Etihad's ongoing approach to aligning its fleet with evolving network and operational needs," it said. Boeing did not immediately comment on the deal. 'This commitment reflects our approach of carefully managing our fleet and expanding in line with demand and our long-term network plans,' said Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad's chief executive. 'Since 2023, we've made consistent additions to our fleet and this latest step ensures we continue to meet our future requirements.' Etihad has outlined plans for its so-called Journey 2030, a seven-year growth agenda announced in November 2023 when it marked its 20th anniversary. The strategy calls for doubling its fleet to 170 planes and tripling the number of passengers its carries annually to 33 million as it expands its global route network. "Etihad is currently finalising a detailed plan that will shape the airline's strategy through to 2035," it said in Friday's statement, without providing further details. The airline currently uses 99 planes and flies to 72 destinations as of last month, according to its latest available data. The fleet is a mix of Boeing 787s and 777 wide-bodies, as well as Airbus A380s, A350s, A320s, A321s and the newly announced long-range narrow-body A321LR. The new deal expands Etihad's orderbook that includes a deal made in November 2013 for Boeing 777X jets, which has been delayed until 2026 by the US plane maker. Etihad Airways will invest nearly $1 billion to retrofit its older Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliners as it awaits delivery of new planes. Mr Neves said the airline will take delivery of 20 to 22 new aircraft this year. It plans on opening 16 new destinations in 2025 alone, he said. Etihad, compared to its older and bigger neighbours Emirates and Qatar Airways, operates a smaller fleet. Dubai-based Emirates, which operates the world's largest fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft, had 260 planes in its fleet as of March 31. Its orderbook has 314 aircraft pending delivery, including 61 of the A350s, 205 Boeing 777x, 35 of the 787s and 13 of the 777Fs. In a separate statement on Friday Etihad Airways said it will start non-stop flights to Charlotte, North Carolina, starting May 2026, becoming the first airline in the region to connect to the American city. Charlotte becomes Etihad's sixth destination in the US, joining New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston, and Atlanta, which launches July 2. The route will operate four times per week on Etihad's Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 'A thriving centre for finance, technology, motorsport and culture, Charlotte is home to major US corporations and attracts millions of visitors annually for both business and leisure,' the airline said. The Etihad announcement is the latest in a string of deals that Boeing secured during Mr Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE this week. The US plane maker had its moment in the sun during the Gulf visit, backed by major endorsements from the US President, as it scored the biggest plane order in its history. Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg signed a deal with Qatar Airways for up to 210 wide-body planes, a mix of 787 Dreamliner and the larger 777X model with GE engines, at the Qatari Royal Court. Besides the Etihad Airways order in Abu Dhabi, it also signed a smaller $4.8 billion deal with Saudi Arabian plane lessor AviLease for 30 of its 737-8s. This offered much-welcome relief for the company a year after it survived a major management shake-up and a prolonged safety and quality crisis that spurred its restructuring efforts. Since his appointment last August, Mr Ortberg has tackled a workers' strike, redressed the company's balance sheet with a new financing round, and outlined a pathway to increase output of Boeing's best-selling 737 Max narrow-body and the 787 Dreamliner. The Gulf deals have handed Boeing much-needed momentum, as its delivery rate is starting to improve. Mr Trump's trade negotiations with some of its partners and "increased buyer comfort" that previous manufacturing issues are resolved means Boeing orders "could pop", Bloomberg analysts say. "US trade negotiations may spur more orders for the country's largest exporter, while regular customers book on increased confidence that manufacturing problems are behind it," said George Ferguson, Bloomberg Intelligence's senior aerospace analyst. Overall, the US on Thursday announced major commercial investments with the UAE worth $200 billion during Mr Trump's state visit to the UAE, which marks the last leg of his Gulf tour.
Gulf Business
29-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Etihad Airways debuts the all-new Airbus A321LR
Image: Etihad Airways Etihad Airways has launched its all-new Airbus A321LR, bringing wide-body comfort and luxury to short and medium-haul routes for the first time, the airline said on Sunday. The A321LR, part of Etihad's strategy to redefine narrowbody travel, features an all-new First Suite, 14 fully-flat Business seats with direct aisle access, and upgraded Economy seating. The launch marks a major step toward Etihad's 'Journey 2030' vision to double its fleet size, triple passenger numbers, and open 16 new destinations in 2025 alone. 'The A321LR is an amazing aircraft which proves our commitment to luxury, customer experience, and connectivity,' said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of A321LR: Features of First-Class Suites, Business Class on Etihad The new First Suites offer a private, enclosed space with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, elevated dining, and a 20-inch 4K entertainment screen with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging. Only two First Suites are available per aircraft, offering an intimate, ultra-premium experience typically reserved for long-haul widebodies. Business Class features 14 fully-flat beds in a 1-1 herringbone layout, each with a 17.3-inch 4K screen, wireless charging, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and personal storage space. Meanwhile, 144 Economy seats provide up to five inches of recline and 18.4-inch width — among the widest in the industry — along with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens and USB charging. Passengers across all cabins can access superfast Wi-Fi, capable of speeds up to 1 Gbps, thanks to Viasat's advanced, multi-orbit ready system, enabling streaming, social media, gaming, and live TV throughout the flight. New aircraft starts services on August 1 The A321LR enters service on August 1, 2025, flying from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport to destinations including Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich. Ten A321LR aircraft are expected to join the fleet this year. Etihad is also expanding its First class offering across more routes, supported by new premium services launching alongside the A321LR. These include personalised travel planning via the new Etihad Concierge, private chauffeur services to and from airports, dedicated First Check-In, and luxury transfers to aircraft doors at Zayed International Airport. 'First isn't just a seat – it's an experience that starts the moment you choose to fly with us,' Neves said. 'We're bringing First to more destinations and elevating it at every touchpoint, combining the elegance of champagne and caviar with the convenience of modern luxury.'
Arabian Business
28-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Etihad Airways unveils new A321LR aircraft featuring First Class suites
Etihad Airways has unveiled its new Airbus A321LR, bringing wide-body comfort to short and medium-haul routes with the introduction of First Suites on a narrowbody aircraft, during the first day of Arabian Travel Market 2025. 'With our 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 Wi-Fi throughout the journey. 'More broadly, 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,' the airline's CEO, Antonoaldo Neves said in a statement. Etihad launches narrowbody aircraft with widebody luxury experience The A321LR, which enters service on August 1 2025, features two exclusive First Suites with sliding doors, lie-flat beds and 20-inch 4K screens. The Business cabin offers 14 lie-flat beds in a herringbone layout with direct aisle access, while Economy provides 144 seats at 18.4 inches wide. Etihad's A321LR comes equipped with Viasat's advanced system capable of speeds up to 1 Gbps, available from gate-to-gate where permitted, allowing all passengers access to streaming, social media and gaming. For First class passengers, the experience extends beyond the aircraft. A new 24/7 Etihad Concierge service will provide personalised travel planning, while private chauffeur service will be available in the UAE and all First destinations. First passengers will be personally escorted through dedicated check-in and boarding processes. In Abu Dhabi, they will soon benefit from complimentary Home Check-In and Land & Leave services, with private limousine transport to the aircraft door at Zayed International Airport when flights do not board directly from the terminal. 'First isn't just a seat – it's an experience that starts the moment you choose to fly with us. We're bringing First to more destinations and elevating it at every touchpoint, combining the elegance of champagne and caviar with the convenience of modern luxury,' Neves added. The A321LR forms part of Etihad's Journey 2030 vision to double its fleet size, triple passenger numbers and open 16 new destinations in 2025 alone.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
28-04-2025
- Business
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways has announced a major change to regional flights at Arabian Travel Market
Flying regional just got a seriously luxurious glow-up. Etihad Airways is officially launching the region's only true first-class cabin on a single-aisle aircraft – and it's taking sky-high luxury to a whole new level. Starting August 1, Etihad's all-new Airbus A321LR is ready to roll out, marking a major milestone in the airline's ambitious Journey 2030 growth plan. This aircraft brings all the elegance of widebody flying to shorter trips, redefining what it means to hop across the region. Luxury Refined ✨ Our all-new A321LR is here, bringing wide-body comfort to short and medium-haul routes. Enjoy a spacious First Suite, lie-flat Business, and next-gen Economy with 4K touchscreens. #Etihad #ATM2025 @ATMDubai — Etihad Airways (@etihad) April 28, 2025 First-class flyers are in for a treat. The A321LR features two ultra-exclusive first suites – private havens complete with sliding doors, lie-flat beds, plush dining setups, wireless charging and massive 20' 4K entertainment screens. It's the first time Etihad has brought its full-on widebody First experience to a narrowbody aircraft. And the indulgence doesn't stop there. Business class travellers will enjoy fully lie-flat beds arranged in a 1-1 herringbone layout – think direct aisle access, huge 17.3' screens and Bluetooth connectivity for your headphones. Even Economy is stepping up its game, offering one of the widest seats in the sky, high-definition touchscreens and fast USB charging, all while you binge movies or scroll Instagram thanks to high-speed Wi-Fi that's available from gate to gate. But Etihad's idea of first class is more than just what happens once you're in the air. Booking a First ticket now unlocks a full luxury journey from start to finish. Think personalised service from the new Etihad concierge team, private chauffeur rides to and from the airport, fast-track First check-in and exclusive access to the Etihad First Lounge. Not bad. If you're flying out of Abu Dhabi, you'll soon even get a private limo drive to the plane and the option for home check-in, meaning you can saunter through the airport baggage-free. As Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways said: 'First isn't just a seat – it's an experience that starts the moment you choose to fly with us. 'We're bringing First to more destinations and elevating it at every touchpoint, combining the elegance of premium bubbly and caviar with the convenience of modern luxury.' And with ten A321LRs joining the fleet this year alone, that five-star treatment will be available on even more routes, including hotspots like Paris, Milan, Bangkok, Zurich and Riyadh. Flying away soon? Travelling from Abu Dhabi is about to be so much faster Zayed International Airport is the world's first airport to make this change 25 visa-on-arrival destinations UAE residents can visit Here's where to go Flying from Abu Dhabi soon? Here's your ultimate guide to Zayed International's Pearl Lounge Talk about travelling in style
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Etihad Airways' signature long-haul luxury now on Short-to-Medium-Haul Aircraft: Introducing Etihad's A321LR
Spacious First Suites, lie-flat Business, and next-generation Economy redefine regional travel Latest generation, high-speed, streaming Wi-Fi for movies, surfing and gaming on board Luxury from door-to-door, with expanded First class experience both in the air and on the ground, across more routes Abu Dhabi/Dubai, UAE – Etihad Airways is setting 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. Etihad's A321LR represents a leap forward in guest experience and innovation, bringing Etihad's signature luxury and a true First class experience to narrowbody flying. 'The A321LR is an amazing aircraft which proves our commitment to luxury, customer experience, and connectivity,' said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. 'With our 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 Wi-Fi throughout the journey. 'More broadly, 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.' An Extraordinary Experience in Every Cabin Etihad's A321LR introduces an all-new First Suite - a private, enclosed space with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, elevated dining, and bespoke design touches. With only two exclusive First suites on board, guests will enjoy an intimate, ultra-premium experience normally reserved for long-haul widebodies. This marks the first time Etihad brings the full widebody First experience to a narrowbody aircraft, redefining luxury on short and medium-haul routes. The innovative and spacious First Suite offers additional space for a companion to sit as well as a large 20' 4K screen for entertainment, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging – ensuring comfort and connection at every touchpoint. The new Business cabin features widebody-style seats, all forward facing with direct aisle access (1-1) in a herringbone layout with 14 fully-flat 78' beds. Each seat includes a 17.3' 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, and ample personal storage, ensuring a seamless, connected journey. In Economy, 144 thoughtfully designed seats offer up to 5' recline, enhanced ergonomics, and generous space. At 18.4' wide, it's one of the widest Economy seats in the industry, providing wide-body comfort to the narrow-body aircraft. Every guest enjoys a 13.3' 4K touchscreen, USB charging, and access to Etihad's next-generation entertainment system. Etihad's 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, in addition to live television throughout the cabin. Luxury Beyond the Cabin: The First Experience Redefined Etihad's First Suite is only the beginning of a truly end-to-end premium journey. The airline is expanding its First class offering across more routes – including the A321LR network - and significantly investing in every detail of the travel experience with new services to be rolled out from August with the introduction of the A321LR. 'As well as investing heavily to expand our First class offering, we're taking the time to enhance every tiny detail of the experience and introducing a host of new premium services over the next couple of months – stay tuned,' said Neves. From the moment guests choose to book First, they will be supported by personalised service from the new Etihad Concierge, which will be available 24/7 for tailored travel planning. In the UAE and all First destinations, guests will enjoy a private chauffeur service to and from the airport, providing a seamless experience from door-to-door. First class guests will also be personally escorted through a dedicated Check In to the Etihad First Lounge and then for boarding. On arrival, guests will be accompanied from the aircraft door to their chauffeur, with porter services taking care of the luggage. In Abu Dhabi, First guests will also soon benefit from complimentary Home Check-In and Land & Leave services, offering a baggage-free airport experience. At Zayed International Airport, First guests will be chauffeured to the aircraft door in a private limousine if the flight does not board directly from the terminal. 'First isn't just a seat - it's an experience that starts the moment you choose to fly with us,' added Neves. 'We're bringing First to more destinations and elevating it at every touchpoint, combining the elegance of champagne and caviar with the convenience of modern luxury." Expanding Horizons Etihad's first A321LR enters service on 1 August 2025, with ten aircraft joining the fleet this year. The aircraft will fly from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport to destinations including Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich. With the A321LR at the heart of its fleet expansion, Etihad is reinforcing its role as a key enabler of tourism and economic development in Abu Dhabi, while delivering world-class service at every altitude. About Etihad Airways Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world's leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Together with Etihad's codeshare partners, Etihad's network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more.
