Etihad Reinvents Travel

It was technology meets luxury in Abu Dhabi today as Etihad Airways, one the world’s fastest growing airlines, introduced what it calls the future of air travel.
And that future looks more like a VIP corporate jet for the high rollers than a regular passenger plane.

At a spectacular event the airline unveiled both its new interiors and its latest planes the 498-seat Airbus A380 super jumbo and the 227-seat Boeing 787.

Etihad has ordered 10 A80s and is one of the largest customers for the 787 with 71 on order.

The airline which started daily services this Perth this year will roll out the new interiors throughout its long haul fleet over the next few years.
The impact of the new interiors is pure opulence with soft, warm, gold tones throughout.

Star of the show was The Residence First Class apartment on the A380, a three room affair including a shower, for the super rich.

Video: Take a walk through The Residence First Class apartment for yourself.

And for those who haven’t won lotto yet and but still want to indulge there are the 9 First Class Apartments and 70 Business Class studios that raise the bar over all current airline offerings.

Economy passengers haven’t been forgotten either with new seats featuring a host of clever features and a big 28cm touch screen TV.
The Residence is a first for air travel and features a living room, separate double bedroom and en-suite shower room.

And if that wasn’t enough guests in The Residence also have a personal butler and a dedicated VIP travel concierge team who take care of every whim including ground transport and cuisine.

The First Class Apartments are only available on the A380 and a separate shower is also available for use by regular first class guests.

Video: See inside the First Class Apartment for yourself

Etihad has added a lounge, dubbed the Lobby, on the upper deck and it separates the first class and business class suites.

A giant TV in the Lobby has a USB connection so it can be used for sharing content or it can also be set to the airline’s Live TV channels for sporting and other events.

On the Boeing 787, Etihad has 8 First Suites which are an adaption of the A380 First Class Apartments and these will be fitted to the airline’s entire long haul fleet.

Two sets of the centre First Suites can be converted into double beds for couples.

The Business Studios provide 20 per cent more space than the airline’s current business class and have plenty of flat space for your laptop and tablet even when you’re eating.

Video: See inside the Business Class Studio for yourself.

Etihad’s 787s have 28 Business Studios and 199 economy seats.

Design of the airline’s new interiors wasn’t left to one studio.

Instead the airline engaged three leading UK agencies to work together, in partnership, on what it termed the “biggest single biggest commitment to cabin interior product design made by any airline in the world.”

The brief was simple if not daunting; Recreate a luxury boutique hotel experience that embraced Arabian modernism.
There is no question they succeeded in spectacular fashion.