Etihad Airways has introduced new in-flight products and enhancements to its long-haul and ultra-long-haul cabins, lifting the level of its acclaimed on-board service in first, business and economy class. The new upgrade programme is also being introduced across the rest of the fleet with products varying on flight duration.
The first class service will include a personalised welcome letter from the cabin service manager and a silver-tray reception service with a welcome drink, fragrant hot towel and traditional Arabic dates. First class dining is to feature new chinaware by Japan’s fine bone china producer Nikko, and designer ‘Royal Oak’ cutlery by quintessentially British brand Studio William. Fine wines from Etihad Airways’ on-board cellar will be served in red and white wine stemmed crystal glasses created for the airline by Lucaris. First class dining will now include a new contemporary menu design, an enhanced selection of canapés, a pre-dessert course served by the chef, a ‘Café. Gourmand’ coffee and tea course accompanied by mini cookies, cakes and pastries, and a signature XO Cognac served in new Cognac glasses by Norman of Copenhagen.
Cabin dressing has been refreshed and each suite will include a luxurious throw and cushion which reflect the colour of the new interiors being introduced by the airline, beginning with the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
In Business Class, a new turndown service is offered on ultra-long-haul flights, featuring a mattress, cotton loungewear and slippers. A comforter and full size pillow are now provided. The popular ‘Dine Anytime’ option remains with an ‘All Day’ menu now offered on longer flights. A contemporary new range of dining ware features signature pieces including a stylised steel bread basket, salt and pepper shakers, and a hammered metal side dish which have been inspired by the airline’s Facets of Abu Dhabi corporate branding. Stylish new trays, chinaware, cutlery and tall, stemmed wine glasses add the sense of sophistication and flair for which the airline is known.
With a focus on more choice and personal space, economy class has been refreshed with new cabin interiors, and new colourful headrest covers, pillowcases and fleece blankets are now standard on-board. Menu cards, tableware and meal trays have been reworked to match Etihad Airways’ focus on contemporary design and functionality. On long-haul night flights and all ultra-long-haul flights, a new pillow, has been designed to convert from a standard pillow to a neck pillow, providing neck support and improved comfort. A cotton drawstring amenity kit is also provided and includes a simple yet ingenious reversible eye-mask with ‘Do not disturb’ and ‘Wake me for Meals’ printed one each side.
A convenient blanket bag which doubles up as a ‘cabin tidy bag’ will be placed at each seat in economy class, reducing clutter around the seat and which can also be used as a shoe bag or to store personal effects.