ABU DHABI, 2 April 2006 — Etihad Airways fleet continues to expand with the arrival of the latest Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330-200 aircraft touching down at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the last few days.
The new arrivals represent the fourth and fifth aircraft in Etihad’s acquisition of new fleet of 29 aircraft for which orders were placed with Airbus and Boeing in 2004.
“The arrival of the B777-300ER and A330-200 continues to define Etihad’s rapid growth. The aircraft have been designed to Etihad’s unique specifications, and will provide our guests with higher standards of hospitality and service across our expanding international network,” said Etihad Airways Chairman Dr. Sheikh Ahmed ibn Saif Al-Nahayan.
The Airbus A330-200 will operate across several of Etihad’s Middle Eastern routes, including Cairo, Karachi and Dammam.
The Boeing 777-300ER will be operated on a number of Etihad’s international routes including Johannesburg, Bangkok, Manila, and the newly opened daily flight to Manchester in the UK.
The A330-200, built to Etihad specifications, will have 262 seats in a twin aisle configuration across two zones, with 22 seats in “Pearl zone” and 240 seats in “Coral zone.” The aircraft has been designed to be consistent with Etihad’s aim to treat everyone as a distinguished guest.
In Pearl zone, each self-contained seat provides business travelers with a 180-degree, fully flat bed and direct aisle access allowing guests to move without disturbing others. The self-contained seats are also equipped with a 15” LCD monitor, the latest audio-video-on-demand (AVOD) and revolutionary mood lighting enhancing the overall guest experience. In Coral zone, guests enjoy a spacious seat with up to 32” seat pitch, 10.4” seat back LCD monitors and the same luxuries as Pearl zone in AVOD, mood lighting and fine cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs.
Guests onboard the new Boeing 777-300ER will now be able to experience new levels of style and hospitality with innovative seating, offering high speed wireless internet access, and the finest cuisine in both Coral and Pearl zones — all designed to meet Etihad’s specifications.
The two aisle B777-300ER is configured to carry a total capacity of 378 guests, 28 in the Pearl zone which features new spacious 180 degree fully flat business-beds, providing optimum comfort and 350 in the Coral zone, which offers a seat pitch of up to 33 inches.
As the launch customer for “Connexions By Boeing” in the Middle East, guests in both Pearl and Coral zones will also be able to send and receive e-mail and use the Internet as if they were at home or workplace.