ETIHAD AIRWAYS ‘SUSTAINABLE 50’ A350 MAKES INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO NEW YORK
- From today, all Etihad New York and Chicago flights will be operated by the airline’s new A350 fleet, providing best-in-class inflight service
- The ‘Sustainable50’ programme drives operational efficiencies and supports Etihad’s decarbonisation efforts
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways celebrated the arrival of its new Airbus A350-1000 in the United States following the inaugural commercial flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on 30 June. The aircraft, which accommodates 371 passeng ers, is one of five new Airbus A350s to join Etihad’s fleet this year.
From today, all Etihad flights servicing New York and Chicago O’Hare International Airport will be operated by the A350, joining Mumbai and Delhi routes that began flying in April this year.
Etihad passengers travelling to the US have access to Etihad’s US pre-clearance, the only United States Customs and Border Protection facility in the Middle Ea st. This allows passengers bound for the United States to process all immigrati on, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi before they board their flight, avoiding immig ration and queues on arrival in the US.
“We are proud to bring the Airbus A350 into service in the US. This is an incredi ble aircraft with highly efficient fuel consumption and CO2 savings, which enab les us to support our goals to reduce carbon emissions and deli ve r an unmat ched flight experience for our guests,” said Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales and Carg o, Etihad Airways. “By introducing the A350, we have almost doubled premium capacity on our New York and Chicago routes to 44 seats in the Business cabin, which provides a luxurious experience comparable to First Cla ss on other international airlines.”
Sustainable50
Formed as a partnership between Etihad, Airbus and Rolls Royce in 2021, the Sustainable50 programme will ma ke use of Etihad’s A350s as flying testbeds for new initiatives, procedures and technologies to reduce carbon em issions. This will build on the learnings derived from Etihad’s similar Greenliner programme for the Boeing 787 aircraft type.The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350 is one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world, with 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin aisle aircraft.Etihad recently established a formal framework with Airbus to collaborate on sustainability across a number of areas, including the promotion and commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel, waste and weight management, and the deve lopment of data-driven analysis.
Guest Experience
The aircraft features Etihad’s newest cabin interior, which is inspired by Abu Dhabi and is both more efficient an d sustainable in design. Etihad is renowned for high-quality aircraft, and the A350 is filled with thoughtful design details providing exceptional comfort and enhanced privacy.Etihad’s signature lighting design is inspired by the shadows cast by Abu Dhabi’s palm trees. The cabin lighting emulates natural ambient light and is designed to en hance the guest experience, provide an optimum environment for sleeping and reduce the effects of jetlag. The Airbus A350 also offers the quietest cabin experience for a wide-body aircraft.
Another feature to help reduce light pollution, and therefore jetlag, is the new dark-mode interface on the E-BO X inflight entertainment system. Mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity is also available throughout the aircraft.Et ihad ha s also thoughtfully created a “Little VIP” experience for its youngest guests. The programme offers newly la unched Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi-themed, family-friendly amenities for children. The A350 also has a spe cial new feature, offering interactive flight maps kids can explore with the help of some Jurassic-age friends.
Business Class
The elevated Business class is home to 44 Business Studios with sliding doors that provide a high level of privacy to each suite. Every seat faces forward with direct aisle access. The Business class seat, with a width of over 20”, converts into a fully-flat bed of 79” in length, and features ample storage for convenience.Noise-cancelling head phones and an 18.5” TV screen provide a cinematic experience to enjoy Etihad’s extensive inflight entertainme nt offering. The Business seats cleverly feature a built-in wireless charging dock and Bluetooth headphone pairi ng.Business class guests can choose from a carefully curated à la carte menu, and guests on longer flights can enjoy Etihad’s signature ‘dine anytime’ service.
Economy Class
Etihad’s spacious Economy cabin is configured with 327 smart seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement, of which 45 ‘Eco no my Space’ seats have been enhanced with an additional 4 inches of legroom. The Crystal Cabin Award-winning s eats were selected after extensive customer trials by Etihad and based on their comfort and sustainability crede ntials. The seats feature Etihad’s signature supportive headrest, USB charging and Bluetooth headphone pairing, as well as a 13.3” inch screen to enjoy Etihad’s award-winning inflight entertainment system.
Guests receive blankets and pillows for additional comfort and amenity kits on longer flights, as well as enjoying complimentary dining and beverages served by Etihad’s award-winning cabin crew.
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