Etihad Airways has once again triumphed at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA), not only winning the title for being, the world’s leading new airline for the third year in a row, but also the award for the world’s leading flat-bed seat.
The 13th annual WTA are currently taking place in the Caribbean’s Turks and Caicos Islands where the UAE’s national airline has received extensive praise for its unprecedented growth and state-of-the-art new product.
“It is incredible to think that Etihad Airways is not even three years old, yet we have achieved so much in that time. Etihad now operates services to 35 international destinations across four continents, offering Guests the award winning flat-bed on many of the routes,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan.
Etihad introduces state-of-the-art product
The extraordinary growth of Etihad Airways has been accompanied by the introduction of some of the airline industry’s most advanced product on the new fleet.
Included within that is the revolutionary Diamond zone suite, with a seat that sets new industry benchmarks. Not only can it recline 180 degrees into a flat bed, but it can also rotate 180 degrees enabling Guests to hold meetings, dine and converse with one another.
Diamond zone Guests can now relax in the most luxurious surroundings, enjoying an extensive range of TV programmes, films, video games and music on the ‘air theatre’.
Guests can enjoy the in-flight entertainment on the 23” personal LCD video screen, and they can enjoy almost total seclusion with the Diamond suite privacy.
The award-winning Pearl zone business-bed, the world’s leading flat-bed seat, is available across Etihad’s new fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
The seat offers Etihad’s superior standards of comfort, reclining a full 180 degrees into a flat 6 feet 1 inches bed. There is also a built-in massage facility to help Guests relax.
With an 88-inch pitch and direct access to the aisle, the Pearl zone seat offers plenty of space and privacy with individual lighting and a reading lamp.
The Pearl zone in Etihad’s new fleet of aircraft offers more than 350 hours of world-class entertainment with the advanced audio-video-on-demand system.
The 15-inch personal LCD screens, the largest in comparable cabins in the industry, add a whole new dimension to entertainment in the air.
Guests travelling in the Pearl zone on an Etihad Boeing 777-300ER can also stay connected through wi-Fli, the high-speed in-flight internet access system.
Etihad’s Coral zone offers a combination of space, comfort and warm service of the highest standards.
The Coral zone seats are the widest in the industry for its class and have a pitch of 33 inches. A wealth of entertainment is also available, with each seat having its own 10.4 inch personal LCD screen.
Guest-focused philosophy achieves record results
Since Etihad first took to the skies in November 2003 it has received critical acclaim for its innovative philosophy of treating passengers as distinguished Guests.
This approach to air travel reflects all aspects of Etihad’s service whether on the ground or in the air, with chauffeur services being offered throughout the UAE for premium zone Guests.
The chauffeur service is also offered throughout the UK, and is set to be rolled out across several of Etihad’s other international destinations in the future.
A personalised service also awaits Etihad’s premium zone Guests, with dedicated in-flight hosts to make sure Guests feel truly at home.
“Being a world-class airline is more than just the destinations we fly to, and Etihad has gone to great lengths to ensure our Guests, whether travelling in diamond, pearl or coral zones, receive the very finest hospitality and service,” continued HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan.
35 destinations in 35 months
With one million Guests flying on Etihad between July and September 2006, and four million anticipated for 2007, the world’s leading new airline is continuing to make headlines across the globe.
Among the impressive milestones Etihad has achieved is the launching of 35 new routes in just 35 months, with the highlight of 2006 undoubtedly being the opening of its services to New York in October.
The daily flight to New York will be Etihad’s second North American destination after Toronto. Etihad also has ambitions to increase its services eastwards, having opened destinations in more than ten cities across Asia.
New routes on the horizon include Shanghai and Tehran, illustrating Etihad’s capabilities of uniting the east and west.
“Abu Dhabi’s ideal location, together with Etihad’s expanding network of destinations, will ensure more Guests will choose to fly with us, increasing tourism and business in the UAE,” continued HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan.
One of the youngest fleets in the world
Etihad’s fleet of aircraft is now also one of the youngest in the world with the twenty-second aircraft, a three-zone A340-500, arriving in Abu Dhabi just last week.
The new A340-500 forms part of the airline’s record $8 billion order, which was made in 2004 for 29 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
This latest arrival means that 80 percent of Etihad’s fleet is brand new which is unprecedented in the world of air travel.
The latest addition to Etihad’s fleet will now join the other aircraft which includes nine A330-200s and five Boeing 777-300 ERs.
The most exciting addition to the fleet is expected in 2008 when Etihad takes delivery of four of the double-decker A380-800s, which can carry 555 Guests in a 3 zone configuration.
