Both aircraft will enter into service from December 2014, with the Airbus A380 being deployed on flights that connect Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub to London and Sydney, while the Boeing 787-9 will operate to Düsseldorf, Doha, Washington D.C., Mumbai, Brisbane and Moscow.
Etihad Airways will debut its exciting new First, Business and Economy Class products onboard the forthcoming aircraft, and will also introduce The Residence by Etihad™, a ground-breaking concept exclusive to its Airbus A380, which features the only three-room cabin in the sky.
Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Almost four months ago, we unveiled the new product and service offering for our forthcoming Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, and we were delighted that the public shared our excitement about the new benchmarks that Etihad Airways is setting in passenger comfort, service, hospitality and style.
With the initial routes for these aircraft now available for sale, passengers have a unique opportunity to be amongst the first to experience the most advanced cabins in aviation history.
“Both the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 will play a fundamental role in the development of Etihad Airways’ network. On existing high demand routes such as London and Sydney, we can utilise the A380 to provide additional seats and meet demand for increased capacity, especially in First and Business Class. The Boeing 787-9 will be used to launch flights to new destinations, add capacity in existing markets and progressively replace existing, less-efficient aircraft.”
Etihad Airways has a total of 10 Airbus A380s on firm order, the first of which will be delivered this year, followed by four in 2015, three in 2016 and two in 2017. The aircraft will initially operate on services between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow, starting with flights EY011 and EY012 from 27 December 2014, EY017 and EY018 from 1 March 2015, and EY019 and EY020 from 1 May 2015. Etihad Airways’ gate at London Heathrow airport, opposite the airline’s lounge in Terminal 4, is currently being renovated in preparation for the start of Airbus A380 operations.
Tickets can also be purchased on Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 service between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, with the aircraft operating on flights EY454 and EY455 from 1 June 2015. In addition, bookings will be available by the end of this year for Airbus A380 services on flights EY100 and EY101 between Abu Dhabi and New York, which commences on 1 December 2015.
Each Airbus A380 is designed to carry 498 passengers in four living spaces, including two VIP guests in The Residence by Etihad™, nine guests in the innovative First Class Apartments, 70 guests in the new Business Class Studios, and 417 guests in Economy Class.
The Residence will be the breath-taking and completely new forward upper-deck cabin on the aircraft. Accommodating single or double occupancy, it features a living room, separate double bedroom and ensuite shower room. Guests in The Residence will also have a personal Butler.
The A380 will also feature the revolutionary First Apartments, which are fully private suites with a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed, as well as a chilled mini-bar, personal vanity unit and wardrobe. The next-generation Etihad Airways Business Studio offers direct aisle access in the airline’s first dovetail (forward and aft) layout, together with a 22-inch wide seat and separate ottoman, which together create a fully-flat bed of up to 80.5 inches long.
The Economy Smart Seat is customised with a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest, which offers greater comfort and relaxation to guests. Upholstered in locally-sourced camel leather, the headrest provides a firm surface for guests to rest their heads, as well as additional privacy between seats. There is a fleece blanket and pillow on every seat as well as a convenient entertainment and connectivity hub in the seatback in front with all services in easy reach.
Etihad Airways has a total of 71 Boeing 787s on firm order, including 41 B787-9s and 30 B787-10s, making it the largest operator of the aircraft type in the world. The airline will receive its first two Dreamliners later this year, followed by three in 2015, three in 2016 and nine in 2017.
During its first month of operations, between 1 - 31 December 2014, the aircraft will operate on flights EY023 and EY024 between Abu Dhabi and Dusseldorf, in addition to EY391 and EY398 between Abu Dhabi and Doha. From 1 January 2015, the 787-9s will be moved onto flights EY130 and EY131 on the Washington DC route, and EY205 and EY206 on the Mumbai route.
From 1 April 2015, the aircraft will return to flights EY023 and EY024 between Abu Dhabi and Dusseldorf, and from 1 June 2015, it will be used on flights EY484 and EY485 between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane, and flights EY068 and EY069 between Abu Dhabi and Moscow.
Etihad Airways’ initial B787 deliveries are configured to carry 235 guests, with eight First Suites in First Class, 28 Business Studios in Business Class and 199 Economy Smart Seats in Economy Class. The enhanced First Suite offers guests an enhanced suite with chilled mini-bar, complete privacy and centre seats which can be joined to create a double bed. The Business Studio and Economy Smart Seat from the Airbus 380 are also available in the Boeing 787.
In preparation for their entry into service, Etihad Airways commenced a training program for the Airbus A380 in January 2014 and the Boeing 787-9 in February 2014, with pilots undergoing a combination of simulator and classroom training, while also being provided an opportunity to fly the aircraft with other airlines that already operate the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The training program will be enhanced following the recent arrival of an Airbus A380 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) and Airbus Pilot Transition Trainer (APT) at Etihad Training Academy in Abu Dhabi. The equipment, supplied by Canadian manufacturer CAE, is now being certified by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
CAE will deliver Etihad Airways’ first Boeing 787 Integrated Procedure Trainer (IPT) and FFS next month, followed by an additional IPT and two FFSs for the aircraft between 2017 and 2019.
A series of test flights will also be conducted with Etihad Airways’ first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 prior to their entry into service. The aircraft will be flown around Gulf airspace, with cabin crew also onboard to familiarise themselves with the layout and conduct test meal services.