Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, today announced a significant enhancement to its Abu Dhabi-Singapore route with plans to deploy a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from August 1.
 
The new B787 operation will follow a major upgrade for the route on June 1, which includes the introduction of First Class and a change in schedule timings which provides better connections to the airline’s network via its Abu Dhabi hub.
 
Etihad Airways president and chief executive officer, James Hogan, said the new three-class aircraft – featuring the airline’s revolutionary First, Business and Economy Class cabins – and optimised flight schedule would greatly enhance the guest experience and bolster the airline’s position in the competitive Singapore travel market.
 
“The new schedule timings – with evening departures in both directions – will offer guests in the UAE and Singapore more convenient travel times and improved connectivity to 35 destinations in the GCC, Middle East, Africa and Europe”  
 
“Most importantly, from a guest experience perspective, the dimensions and unique features of the Dreamliner aircraft have enabled us to customise it with the most innovative and sophisticated cabins. This means, from 1 August, travellers between Abu Dhabi and Singapore will experience levels of comfort and attention to detail not enjoyed previously by today’s air traveller or offered by our competitors on the route.”
 
Etihad Airways’ new B787 interiors feature eight First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats, offering superior levels of comfort, entertainment and in-flight connectivity. On-board décor and lighting is inspired by contemporary modern Arabian design, complementing the ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ design identity introduced by the airline in late 2014, the airline said.
 
First Class guests will enjoy an enhanced suite with a chilled mini-bar, complete privacy and centre seats which can be joined to create a double bed. Business Class guests will have the space and comfort of the airline’s new Business Studios each offering direct aisle access and a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches in length. In the Economy Class cabin, the innovative Economy Smart Seat provides enhanced comfort with a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat. - TradeArabia News Service