Etihad Airways Rolls Out First Boeing 787-9 Aircraft

SEATTLE, Sept. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Etihad Airways and Boeing celebrated the roll out of the airline's first 787-9 Dreamliner at an event in Seattle, Washington overnight.

The aircraft featured Etihad Airways' new 'Facets of Abu Dhabi' livery which was unveiled in Hamburg, Germany this week.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Aviation Group, said the airline was proud to be one of the world's largest customers for the B787 Dreamliner.

"We have firm orders for more than 100 Boeing wide-body aircraft which include 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s.

"Our new fleet of B787s will set customer service expectations for the airline industry, delivering the highest levels of comfort and choice across all classes of service."

Ray Conner, President and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: "Etihad Airways is one of the most forward-thinking airlines of the world and we're proud to have their trust and confidence in the Dreamliner."

Etihad Airways' first Boeing 787-9 will be delivered in December 2014, and more than 40 international routes have been identified for future operation by the airline's Dreamliners. The aircraft will initially operate between Abu Dhabi and Düsseldorf and between Abu Dhabi and Doha. Services to Brisbane, Mumbai, Moscow and Washington D.C. will follow in the first half of 2015.

Etihad Airways has also revamped its product offering on the B787 based on extensive consumer research, with refinements in all three cabins.

The new First Suite on the B787 will offer guests a private sanctuary with many new features, including a chilled mini-bar and 5-star cuisine prepared on board by world-class chefs. The new Business Studio offers larger seats, all of which have direct aisle access and convert to a fully flat, pneumatically adjustable bed. The Economy Smart Seat is an industry-first and provides unparalleled comfort for travellers with a new 'fixed wing' headrest, maximising comfort and enhancing the sleep experience. The B787 will also feature the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high-definition screens in all cabins.

The new 'Facets of Abu Dhabi' livery uses a color palette which reflects the varying hues of the landscape of the UAE, from the darker sands of the Liwa desert to the lighter colours seen in the Northern Emirates. The result of extensive research, the design will also be a key feature of the new cabin interiors being introduced on Etihad Airways' Boeing 787 aircraft.

To view videos of the roll-out event and the B787, please click on the following links:

• B787 roll-out event - http://bit.ly/1rnWkWK
• B787 Assembly time-lapse - http://bit.ly/1prQfDZ
• B787 Painting time-lapse - http://bit.ly/1v3UgoA
• B787 Livery artist impression - http://bit.ly/1pcORpu

About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2013 carried 11.5 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base Etihad Airways flies to 110 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 104 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia and Jet Airways, and is in the process of formalising equity investments in Alitalia and Swiss-based Etihad Regional*. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com

*Operated by Darwin Airline

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140928/148805
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140928/148806       
Website - http://www.etihad.com

SOURCE Etihad Airways