ETIHAD Airways has
launched a new luxury
‘flying hotel suite’ – The
Residence – on its A380
services.
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.
According to international
media reports, fares for the
new product are expected
to start in the region of
US$20 000 (R207 000).
The service is being initially
offered on London routes
starting from December.
With the launch of these
new products, EY will also
redefine and rename its
cabin classes.
The A380 will feature the
First Apartments, which are
fully private suites with a
separate reclining lounge
seat and full-length bed, as
well as a mini-bar, personal
vanity unit and wardrobe.
On the B787, EY has
designed an enhanced First
Suite, adding many new
features including a minibar.
The Business Studio and
Economy Smart Seat will
feature on both the A380
and the B787.
EY is introducing the
latest Panasonic eX3
entertainment system
across both fleets, providing
more than 750 hours of
on-demand entertainment.
The A380 aircraft will have
full mobile and WiFi service
while the B787 will be
equipped with WiFi.
A380, B787
destinations
The first destinations to
receive Etihad Airways’
A380 and B787 Dreamliner
aircraft have also been
announced.
The first A380 will operate
to London Heathrow from
December, with a second
A380 operating the route
from Q1 2015. By the
end of next year, EY will
have five of the aircraft in
service, with plans to also
introduce operations to
Sydney and New York JFK.
The first B787-9 will
enter service in December
followed by a second in
January, initially flying to
Washington DC, Düsseldorf
and Mumbai. By the end
of 2015, EY will have five
B787s in operation.
The A380 is designed to
carry 498 guests – two VIP
guests in The Residence
by Etihad; nine guests in
the innovative First Class
Apartments; 70 in the new
Business Class Studios;
and 417 guests in economy
class.
The B787 features eight
First Suites, 28 businessclass
seats and 199
economy-class seats.
