United Arab Emirates carrier Etihad Airways unveiled the new cabins for its forthcoming aircraft last month to an army of reporters and journalists. The new premier cabins include nine first-class apartments and two three-room "residence" on its Airbus A380 which is scheduled to enter service in December this year.
Their are numerous innovations forming a mass premium product development the like of which is rarely seen in the aviation industry, especially over the last decade. The new cabins and enhancements will be rolled out on the airline's new A380s and Boeing 787s, which also start to arrive at the end of this year.
The residence, complete with a Savoy trained butler, and first-class apartments are elements of a dedicated premium offering in the upper deck of the A380s. The apartments for first class feature a reclining lounge chair and an ottoman which converts into a lie-flat bed.
The first-class apartments feature a reclining lounge chair and a lie-flat bed
First-class suites will be offered on the new 787s it has configured in three-class cabins – it is taking a mix of two- and three-class configurations – offering passengers an enhanced suite with a chilled mini-bar.
Both types will feature the new business studio concept, which offers fully flat beds. There are 70 business studios on Etihad's A380s and 28 on its 787s.
Etihad debuts its A380 at the end of this year on flights to London Heathrow, followed by Sydney and New York JFK. The 787s will be introduced on flights to Washington, Mumbai and Dusseldorf initially.
Emirates have already announced they plan to update and upgrade their premium cabins and services in response to Etihad's super luxurious cabin's. Whether there are enough customers to make such vast investments in the premium cabins worthwhile remains to be seen, however you cant argue with the fact that the gulf carriers are bringing true luxury to the skies.
