Etihad Airways is introducing new premium features on its upcoming Airbus A321LR planes, including luxurious first-class suites and upgraded business class seats.
The new first-class suites will include fully closing privacy doors, lie-flat beds, a 20-inch entertainment screen with Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and extra space for a companion. There will be only two suites located at the front of the aircraft, offering a highly exclusive experience typically found only on larger, long-haul planes.
These first-class suites will also come with Etihad’s signature benefits, such as a private chauffeur service, dedicated check-in, access to the Etihad First lounge, and priority boarding.
In business class, passengers will enjoy 14 “widebody-style” seats that convert into lie-flat beds, each measuring 78 inches in length. Each seat will have direct aisle access, a 17.3-inch entertainment screen, Bluetooth headset compatibility, wireless charging, and personal storage.
The economy cabin will also see upgrades, with 144 seats offering five inches of recline and 18.5 inches of width. The new seats will feature 13.3-inch entertainment screens and USB charging ports. Passengers will have access to Etihad’s high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi, which supports streaming, browsing, and gaming.
“We’ve taken the luxury experience we’re known for on our widebody planes and adapted it for a single-aisle aircraft. Guests will enjoy the same experience while staying seamlessly connected with superfast Wi-Fi throughout the flight,” said Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves.
The first Airbus A321LR planes will begin service on August 1, with 10 aircraft joining the fleet by the end of the year. These planes will operate short- and medium-haul routes from Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi to 17 destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These destinations include Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich.
The launch of the A321LR planes is part of Etihad’s broader expansion strategy, which includes doubling its fleet and tripling passenger numbers by 2030. Additionally, the airline plans to add 16 new destinations to its network in 2025.
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