Here’s something that’s news to me — Etihad Airways plans to take delivery of some brand new Airbus A321LRs next year, featuring flat bed seats in business class. Let’s cover what we know about this development (thanks to AnishReddi for flagging this).
In this post:
Etihad wants to fly 30-40 Airbus A321LRs
aeroTELEGRAPH has an interview with Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves, where he shares the company’s fleet strategy over the coming years.
For some background, Etihad’s fleet strategy has completely changed over time. A decade ago, Etihad wanted to become the size of Emirates, and ordered basically every type of plane on planet earth. After losing many billions of dollars, the airline changed course, and tried to shrink into profitability. Now that this has been accomplished, the airline is instead trying to grow, but in a more sustainable way.
My point is simply to say that it can be hard to keep track of Etihad’s fleet plans. For example, according to Boeing, Etihad still has 25 Boeing 777Xs on order, while according to Etihad’s CEO, these contracts have been restructured, and that’s no longer the case.
Similarly, in 2013, Etihad placed an order for 26 Airbus A321neos, but up until now, the airline hasn’t taken delivery of any of these factory fresh jets, as the order has been deferred. Instead, Etihad is in the process of taking delivery of six used A321neos, which briefly flew for Bamboo Airways.
But there is a major update when it comes to Etihad’s fleet plans for the A321neo family of aircraft, beyond the ones being acquired secondhand. According to Etihad’s CEO:
- Etihad has ordered A321LRs directly from Airbus, which is the longer range version of the A321neo (though not as long range as the A321XLR)
- Etihad wants to eventually fly 30-40 Airbus A321LRs, and the first aircraft will start to join Etihad’s fleet in 2025
- Etihad’s strategic intent with Airbus A321LRs is to fly them in markets that are thinner, and where more frequencies are required; Etihad wants to focus on operating at least daily service between city pairs, so the airline couldn’t fly a 777 daily between Abu Dhabi and Nice, but might be able to fly an A321LR
For context, Etihad currently has a narrow body fleet consisting of 23 Airbus A320-family aircraft, including 14 A320s and nine A321s. That’s in addition to the six former Bamboo Airways jets joining the carrier’s fleet.
Etihad’s A321LRs will have flat beds in business class
What should passengers expect onboard Etihad’s factory fresh Airbus A321LRs? Well, Etihad plans to install flat beds on all of these newly delivered jets. That’s exciting, since currently Etihad doesn’t have flat beds on any narrow body aircraft.
The company’s CEO has even revealed the planned configuration for the jets. Etihad’s A321LRs are expected to feature a total of 160 seats, comprised of:
- 16 fully flat business class seats, of which two will be at the very front of the cabin, offering even more space
- 144 economy class seats
While exact details of the product haven’t yet been announced, I’d be willing to bet good money on the product that Etihad will introduce. JetBlue’s Airbus A321neos with Mint cabins (not to be confused with the Airbus A321LRs) have exactly the same configuration. They have 16 business class seats (two of which are special), plus 144 economy seats.
Much like on JetBlue, I imagine that Etihad will select the Thompson Aero VantageSOLO product in business class, which is a herringbone seat with a door, and is proving popular for premium narrow body aircraft. Below you can see what the JetBlue Mint Suite looks like (the standard business class seat).
Below you can see what the JetBlue Mint Studio looks like (the special business class seat in the first row).
This is a fantastic development, if you ask me. Currently, Etihad’s narrow body aircraft are operated almost exclusively on shorter flights, and really have quite an uncompetitive product in both cabins. On some routes, Etihad operates both narrow body and wide body aircraft, an the difference is night and day. So I’m happy to see the airline will be offering more of a long haul experience on these jets.
Bottom line
Etihad will be nicely elevating its narrow body passenger experience as of 2025, when Airbus A321LRs join the carrier’s fleet. Etihad plans to install 160 seats on these planes, including 16 fully flat business class seats, plus 144 economy seats. My money is on Etihad having exactly the same configuration as JetBlue’s A321neos, but I could be off. I’m looking forward to learning more…
What do you make of Etihad’s Airbus A321LR plans?
Qatar uses A32x on some flights to Madives with beds in Business. 1 - 1
Very comfortable. Flew in 2022.
ITA has lie-flat business class on its A-321NEO short haul product.
Twelve reverse-herringbone seats in a 1-1 configuration based on the Stelia Opera platform. Seat width: 22.5".
And this is ITA!!
Sure am hoping for an Etihad Delta partnership. United has Emirates, Qatar one world… would make travel to ME and Africa so much more competitive than KLM/AF.
TK has an extensive Africa network. Probably more convenient than ME3 from the US.
You do realise that Etihad already has a strong partnership with AFKL. There’s also more to the world than the USA.
"You do realise that Etihad already has a strong partnership with AFKL. There’s also more to the world than the USA."
You do realize that he's speaking from Delta's perspective, not AF-KLM or Etihad's, no?
Etihad already having a relationship with AF-KLM, doesn't do anything to change the correctly-noted fact that Delta doesn't have a competitive connecting base within the middle east, despite having two VFR SkyTeam partners in the region.
This all sounds nice and might be a positive development for passengers who would otherwise be on a lower product spec narrowbody. But it should be noted that Etihad is competing with large widebody operators in the region. This has a number of implications. First, for local traffic, if you wanted to travel from Abu Dhabi to Nice, you could drive 1 hour to Dubai and take an Emirates widebody. Second, for connecting traffic (the...
This all sounds nice and might be a positive development for passengers who would otherwise be on a lower product spec narrowbody. But it should be noted that Etihad is competing with large widebody operators in the region. This has a number of implications. First, for local traffic, if you wanted to travel from Abu Dhabi to Nice, you could drive 1 hour to Dubai and take an Emirates widebody. Second, for connecting traffic (the bulk of Etihad's passengers), many will now be connecting from a widebody economy product to a narrowbody economy product. And from a financial perspective, the unit cost of an A321 with 160 seats is likely to be too high to support sustainable profitability given the likely mix of traffic.
Please do an article on EK211. The A380 from DXB to IAH was diverted to DFW after taking a strange route.
EY is a LOST airline. The much hyped new AUH terminal and lounge - is meh and I am being generous. Badly designed lounges that have no soul whatsoever. Showers that are looking old and worn already, Inflight -what are they even trying to do? What is the US strategy - ORD, IAD, JFK? Terrible inflight menu and wines that compete with US carriers. No EK or QR this. And they have a new CEO...
EY is a LOST airline. The much hyped new AUH terminal and lounge - is meh and I am being generous. Badly designed lounges that have no soul whatsoever. Showers that are looking old and worn already, Inflight -what are they even trying to do? What is the US strategy - ORD, IAD, JFK? Terrible inflight menu and wines that compete with US carriers. No EK or QR this. And they have a new CEO every week. Had it not been for the blogger relationships they would be clubbed together with the likes of Oman Air and RAM. Oh and where are the PJ's or the "new" inflight kit? Not even on ORD-AUH! All marketing and zero substance. AVOID.
Er... Not a fan evidently
I just don’t see anything past the blogger generated hype. They should just mark these articles “advertisements”. I give them a try every once in a while thinking this time it’s got to be different and it’s not. And what’s with those hideous jacquard uniforms with gloves to their elbows in 120f heat. New CEO this week? Maybe Vasu? SMH