Etihad Airways has reportedly become the first airline in the world to offer a full First Class suite on a narrowbody aircraft, the Airbus A321LR, set to launch on August 1.
The airline will introduce its signature First Suites on short- to medium-haul routes. These have typically been reserved for long-haul widebodies.
The First Suites feature a private, enclosed space with a lie-flat bed, sliding doors, bespoke design finishes and a 20-inch 4K entertainment screen. They offer space for a companion to dine or relax. Only two First Suites are available on each aircraft.
The Business Class cabin includes 14 fully flat beds in a 1-1 herringbone layout, each with direct aisle access.
In Economy, the airline says passengers will benefit from “wider-than-average” seats with “enhanced recline”.
From August, first-class passengers will enjoy expanded services, including private chauffeur transfers, fast-track airport handling, and access to Etihad’s First Class Lounge at Zayed International Airport.
A newly-launched 24/7 Etihad Concierge will assist First passengers with personalised travel planning, while new services such as Home Check-In and Land & Leave are being introduced to streamline the journey from door to door.
The A321LR will serve key regional routes from Abu Dhabi to destinations which include Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich.
