Etihad Airways has introduced its highly-anticipated new first class suite into service, marking a new era in luxury air travel.
The new product on board the airline’s latest Airbus A340-600 is now operating between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow.
The state-of-the-art private suite provides first class customers with an extra-large leather seat, upholstered by world-renowned leather company Poltrona Frau, which extends to a fully-flat bed, 80.5 inches in length.
Within the first class cabin there is also a large and luxurious changing room with a full length mirror, wash basin and leather fold-down seat allowing customers to freshen up at any time during the flight.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: "The entry into service of our new first class product is a major milestone for Etihad Airways as it is the first time we have offered our customers their own private suite within the first class cabin."
"The new suite is state-of-the-art in every way and the innovative enhancements, such as a personal illuminated wardrobe with mirror and refreshment cabinet, demonstrate our continued commitment to provide a world-class experience for our premium passengers."
A second A340-600 with the new suite will join the fleet in September 2009. Etihad Airways will take delivery during the next two years of a further five Airbus A330-300 aircraft configured with the new first class suites. The first of these new aircraft is due to arrive in December 2009. The airline will also retrofit nine Airbus A340 aircraft that are currently in service by December 2010.
The new suites feature in-flight entertainment of the highest quality, with more than 600 hours of entertainment available on-demand on the 23 inch wide-screen LCD screen. In-flight dining is taken to a new level with meals served on an extra large wood-finished table.
