Etihad To Deploy Its First A321LR In August

Etihad Airways is set to raise the bar of flying aboard single-aisle aircraft in a few weeks. The flag carrier of the UAE will launch its first Airbus A321LR on August 1, 2025, followed by ten more for numerous routes. According to Antonoaldo Neves, the airline’s CEO,

“The Airbus 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.”

So, why is Etihad making a big deal about the A321LR’s introduction? Well, that’s all about what the twin-engined narrowbody will offer passengers. To begin with, it’ll feature three cabin types: First, Business, and Economy. At the front will be two First suites, bringing travellers the same level of comfort and luxury they’d expect on a jumbo jet. Each boasts extra space for a companion, a 20-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing and wireless charging.

Next, and right behind the First suites, the business cabin will have space for 14 fully flat 78-inch beds. With a 1-1 herringbone layout, each passenger’s section will have features like a 17.3-inch 4K display, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, and personal storage space. And as is the case with all commercial airliners, the maximum interior room is reserved for the Economy section. There are 144 seats, each offering up to a 5-inch recline with a width of 18.4 inches, a USB charging port, and a 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen with Etihad Airways’ next-gen inflight entertainment system. All passengers also have access to Wi-Fi onboard with speeds up to 1 Gbps.

Those who book one of the First suites will be in the capable hands of the 24/7 Etihad Concierge, who can personalise all possible needs. In the UAE, those passengers will also get a private chauffeur service to and from the airport. The airline will also ensure that they are escorted through a dedicated check-in to the Etihad First Lounge and then to the boarding area. Upon arrival, passengers will be attended to from the aircraft door to their private chauffeur, while the porter service takes care of the baggage.

There’s more for Etihad’s First passengers at Abu Dhabi. In addition to the complimentary Home Check-In and Land & Leave services, which provide a baggage-free airport transit, the guests will be chauffeured to the aircraft door in a private limousine if the flight doesn’t have direct terminal access.

Etihad Airways will deploy the Airbus A321LR from its home hub at Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi. It will fly the aircraft to several destinations, including Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich.

Also Read: Etihad Confirms Direct Flights To Peshawar From This Year

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