ETIHAD AIRWAYS’ NEW B787 DREAMLINER ANNOUNCED FOR SINGAPORE

• State-of-the-art aircraft with ground-breaking First Suites, Business Studios and Economy Smart Seat to operate to Singapore from 1 August 2015
• New schedule timings offer seamless two-way connections to 35 cities across Etihad Airways’ global network
• More capacity on the Abu Dhabi-Singapore route

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today announced a significant enhancement to its Abu Dhabi-Singapore route with the deployment of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from 1 August 2015.

The new B787 operation will follow a major upgrade for the route on 1 June, 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’ revolutionary 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.

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.

Etihad Airways’ order for two variants of the B787 (-9 and -10), is one of the world’s largest for the type, totalling 71 aircraft. The airline currently operates the B787-9 to Washington DC and Mumbai, and from June 1, to Düsseldorf and Brisbane, with more destinations being added as it takes delivery of more of the type. The airline will also begin taking delivery of B787s in a two-class configuration from 2016.

The wide-body Boeing 787-9 is a stretched version of the advanced medium to long-range twin engine B787-8, with a range of up to 8,300 nautical miles and a cruising speed of Mach 0.85. It is 206 feet in length and has a wingspan of 197 feet.

Etihad Airways commenced three weekly flights to Singapore on September 28, 2007 and went daily on February 1, 2013.

Schedule for Abu Dhabi – Singapore, effective 1 August 2015

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 116 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 69 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and eight Airbus A380s.

Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.  For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com