In late 2025, Etihad Airways announced an order for the Airbus A330-900neo, which are expected to join the carrier’s fleet as of 2027. With the planes potentially entering service within a year or so, Etihad has just unveiled what we can expect onboard these planes. The airline will be introducing both first class and business class, though don’t expect anything too creative…
Etihad A330neo first & business class details
Etihad has revealed how it plans to configure its upcoming Airbus A330neos. The planes will feature a total of 290 seats, including four first class seats, 24 business class seats, and 252 economy class seats.
In both first class and business class, the airline will be using the Thompson Aero Vantage XL platform, which is a popular staggered configuration, particularly on the A330neo. This is the same product you’ll see on the A330neos operated by carriers like Delta, ITA Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. You can expect the seats to have the latest tech, as well as privacy doors.
This is a logical seat for the airline to select, both given general constraints with new seating types on the A330neo (due to the smaller cabin width compared to planes like the A350), as well as due to the challenges with getting new types of seats certified.
Perhaps what’s most interesting is that there will be one row of first class at the front of the cabin, which will be separated from business class with a partial partition. In terms of hard product, think of this as being more of a “business class plus,” taking advantage of the additional space at the bulkhead, given that the other seats rely on the space to the side of the seat in front to maximize real estate (it’s where the footwell is located).
I’d say this is a solid but expected product. It’s not about to win any awards, but then again, I can’t imagine any A330 product would.
Etihad’s evolving first class strategy is interesting
Going back several years, Etihad had nearly eliminated first class. The airline had first class on a handful of Boeing 787-9s, and also on its small fleet of Airbus A380s (though those were grounded for a while). Management at the airline has evolved on the concept of first class over time, and the current plan is to introduce it on a majority of the fleet.
For example, we’ve seen Etihad install first class on its new Airbus A321LRs. What’s interesting is that the airline is basically just offering a “business class plus” hard product, but is marketing it as first class. That would rub me the wrong way, except for one important detail — Etihad actually prices first class based on the type of plane booked.
So a first class flight on the A321LR will typically cost materially less than a first class flight on the A380. That’s a concept I actually appreciate, given how thoughtfully it’s being done. For example, on the A321LRs, Etihad’s soft product is phenomenal, like on other planes (and arguably even better, given that there are just two seats, so service is more attentive).
I imagine the idea on the A330neo is the same. While other airlines focus on “business class plus,” Etihad is simply marketing it as something else, but is doing so by bundling a variety of services. Etihad will be one of only two airlines to offer first class on the A330neo, with the other being… Air Côte d’Ivoire!
Bottom line
In 2027, Etihad will start taking delivery of Airbus A330-900neos, which will be used for medium haul growth. The airline has now revealed that these planes will have Vantage XL seats in business class, which is the most common A330neo premium products out there.
Perhaps the interesting detail is that the airline will also have a row of first class. This follows the model the airline has been using on the A321LR, where the front row seats (which are more like “business class plus”) are also marketed as first class.
What do you make of Etihad’s new A330neo premium cabin plans?
Ben, reading this article left me with one important question and I am curious about your answer. I agree with you, Etihad sure tries to sell a business plus hard product as first class. But so does Starlux. And so does Cotê d'Ivoire.
That brings me to my question: where exactly do you draw the line between Business and First Class? Is it the hard product? Is it the soft product? Is it the...
Ben, reading this article left me with one important question and I am curious about your answer. I agree with you, Etihad sure tries to sell a business plus hard product as first class. But so does Starlux. And so does Cotê d'Ivoire.
That brings me to my question: where exactly do you draw the line between Business and First Class? Is it the hard product? Is it the soft product? Is it the pricing? I would bet - and carefully reading your reviews back me up - that the business class experience on Etihad is better than the first class experience on Air India or TAAG Angola. Which makes a First Class truly a First Class?
Better lounges and more attentive service from stewards during the flight.
All business class is predictable, just in different color combinations.
I agree, what more can you do?! Aside from CMF, all you can really do is improved comfort & storage options, tech and that's pretty much it!
I'm still waiting for curtains in lieu of doors.
At least with First, there's still more you can do to revolutionize the experience. The Peacock Suites concept is the perfect example.
Seems just as fine as any product out there. The ground experience and soft product are the differentiating factors now...
I think the fact Etihad is not going to be able to charge full F prices for this seat clearly disproves that.
I find what a lot of cash F buyers are paying extra $$$$ for is privacy and cabin separation more than an amenity kit and some mediocre airplane food, so this product seems to fail there.
What is the obsession with airlines putting wide F seats in and then taking up 40% of that width with a useless sideboard? Why have all that real estate that could make a fabulous bed (akin to JALs) and then waste it all.
The “sideboard” is where the legs of the person in the row behind go. So on ground level this space is not available for the respective seat, except as a sideboard or something similar.
"...is where the legs of the person in the row behind go"
That's how it is in J. In F your seat spans 3 windows and your cabin has enough space for your feet without needing to tuck them up in a cubby hole.
The 'F' seat here is basically just the J seat with a modified ottoman and screen, a bigger seat and smaller sideboard would require totally redesigning the suite with a custom seat and presumably cost a lot more. This is not a proper F product designed from the ground up at the end of the day.
Just realised that when I was looking at the pics again. Hence more of a business+ (same seat but no cubby hole). It is a shame that they are going this direction but I suppose it is better than no F at all. If it is priced accordingly it isn't too bad but is basically just the same as GF/WY J in terms of available space for a bed/seat.
Hi, @lucky. I’m much more likely to try A330neo first class on Etihad than on Air Côte d’Ivoire. I’m sure you’ll get on both well before most anyone else. :)
I know the focus here is often on the new products, but given your decades of reviewing F and J products, I wonder if you might cover the top five or ten first class that have been retired (like the old A380 Singapore Suites or...
Hi, @lucky. I’m much more likely to try A330neo first class on Etihad than on Air Côte d’Ivoire. I’m sure you’ll get on both well before most anyone else. :)
I know the focus here is often on the new products, but given your decades of reviewing F and J products, I wonder if you might cover the top five or ten first class that have been retired (like the old A380 Singapore Suites or the 747-400 Lufthansa seat and bed combo).
Hope you’ve been enjoying your time in JX F and in Japan. Looking forward to your initial-impressions/thoughts review.
JX could have at least a partial partition. It doesn't look like something that would break the bank.
So basically like Cathay's Aria Studio.
Yeah, you don't need to fancy a door, but the shell of the seat extending towards the armrest would've been nice for privacy when either working or resting.
Singapore's Regional Business can use one; not really a fan of the shell wrapping around by the windows which blocks your view.
I was referring to the cabin partial partition :)
I think that's what I meant! Starlux's A330neo Business Class is basically like Cathay's Cirrus product as the shell doesn't fully wrap around the seat.
Or are you referring to something else?
We might be thinking of different parts of the same thing (or maybe not? Lol).
I was thinking that this new Etihad cabin has a partial partition that hangs above the ceiling right above the F middle seats (3rd photo). And it offers a nicer separation than what you see in Starlux F, where the middle seats look rather exposed despite having a slightly taller shell than the J seats. So Starlux could have added something like that.
Fair play! I thought you meant the shell of the seat and talking about their A330neo Business Class.
The walls of their First Class are slightly taller than Business, so I don't think another partition would've helped nor would've been a wise expense.
They are the cheapo ME3.
Don't expect much. Their oldest and newest product is miles apart.
Just like EK they are cashing out on their reputation and bling soft products.
Commercially logical given the cabin would be configured that way anyway, and the hard product difference between first and business has been shrinking for years. It is a bit sad though, that intercontinental first class has been reduced to 'the business class bulkhead seat with better service'...
Well once you go lieflat there nothing more to go on hard product anymore.
A back breaking 270 recliner?
Bigger TV, more space, more privacy? Exactly what business+ is already offering.
Was gonna say, from a hard product focus, this really is just Business+ (if they wanted to differentiate further, it should go from 1-2-1 to 1-1-1, and have a true divider between cabins.)
@lucky so now you have two F seats to fly, right?
@ PhilBob -- Hah, well, it's not in service yet! And my general goal is to fly every airline in the world in first class that offers that class of service, and not necessarily every single first class aircraft type out there. That being said, up until this point I do think I've flown every first class "variant" out there.
This one should much easier and cheaper to book than either Starlux or Air CIV though!
I like that Etihad are going down this route as it makes taking F from start to beginning far more likely
@Lucky Does it count toward your first class check list only if you’ve visited the carrier’s flagship first class lounge (provided it has one and likely only accessible for long- or mid-haul flights) on at least one of the first class variants? I’m guessing that is part of your completionist’s criteria. (By the way, I always thought it was “completist,” but I guess both terms are valid.)