First look: Etihad’s gorgeous new Airbus A321LR cabins

It is the daybreak of a brand new period for Etihad Airways’ medium-haul community.

The United Arab Emirates service is taking supply of its hotly anticipated Airbus A321LR, or “long-range,” which is designed to noticeably improve the journey expertise for medium-haul flights to and from its Abu Dhabi hub at Zayed Worldwide Airport (AUH).

The A321LR is the primary single-aisle jet in Etihad’s fleet to function a correct first-class product and lie-flat pods within the business-class cabin. This aircraft additionally ushers in a number of different upgrades that flyers will undoubtedly get pleasure from throughout their journeys onboard the A321LR.

Higher but, the A321LR permits Etihad to increase to a number of new locations that it could not attain with smaller planes or that did not have sufficient demand to fill a much-larger twin-aisle jet. (The A321LR provides about 1,000 mile extra vary than “commonplace” A321s.)

In anticipation of the jet’s inaugural flight on Aug. 1, I traveled to the Airbus manufacturing facility in Hamburg, Germany, to get a primary take a look at this jet (and to hitch the supply flight to Abu Dhabi).

This is the whole lot you’ll want to find out about Etihad’s A321LR — and why it is such a giant deal for the airline.

Etihad Airbus A321LR top notch

The star of the present is undoubtedly the all-new first-class product on this aircraft, which is situated within the bulkhead row 1 proper on the pointy finish of the aircraft.

There are two first-class suites unfold throughout the aisle in a 1-1 configuration.

The 22.5-inch-wide seats function 20-inch 4K TVs, a buddy seat for a companion to hitch for a meal, Bluetooth audio connectivity, Qi wi-fi charging and rather more.

There are sliding doorways for added privateness.

Moreover, these seats have further cupboard space and a bigger ottoman and footwell space as a result of curvature of the aircraft and the bulkhead wall.

In mattress mode, the seats are large. The outsized footwell space ought to make it very straightforward to get comfy, although the one annoyance may be the proximity to the galley and toilet.

Frequent flyers, particularly these primarily based within the U.S., may acknowledge these seats as “business-class-plus” merchandise, much like American’s Flagship Suite Most popular or JetBlue’s Mint Studio, however Etihad is advertising them in a different way.

No, there will not be any cabin dividers between these two first-class suites and the remainder of enterprise class, however Etihad says its purpose is to make sure that the remainder of the expertise feels elevated.

With customized service with a crew member devoted to top notch, higher meals and enhanced beverage choices, Etihad says all the first-class expertise ought to mimic what vacationers would get on a flight from New York or Chicago to Abu Dhabi.

Airline executives defined that Etihad supplied top notch on these planes in order that vacationers flying in first from long-haul locations may join onto an A321LR and luxuriate in a seamless expertise.

There’s only one standard-sized toilet on the entrance of the first-class cabin, and this rest room is shared amongst all 16 first- and business-class passengers.

I might anticipate that there may be a line to make use of it throughout peak intervals, akin to earlier than preliminary descent.

Etihad Airbus A321LR enterprise class

Behind top notch is the business-class cabin, outfitted with 14 pods in a 1-1 configuration.

Seats face towards the window in a reverse herringbone structure designed to maximise privateness. Etihad selected a custom-made model of the Stelia Opera seat for enterprise class.

Except for much less storage and private area, one large distinction between first and enterprise class is the shortage of doorways within the latter.

Whereas many airways are all-in on sliding doorways, Etihad merely wanted to make a tradeoff right here. For the reason that airline operates in one of many hottest areas on this planet, including doorways may probably imply the aircraft would want to limit its payload on the most popular days — that means the airline would cut back passengers or cargo to decrease the load with a view to take off in such circumstances.

That is clearly a tradeoff Etihad wasn’t prepared to make.

That mentioned, whereas I definitely would’ve appreciated a door, the reverse herringbone structure positively helps offer you extra privateness than in case you have been dealing with the aisle. I felt like I used to be in my very own cocoon attempting out these seats for eating and stress-free, however I think about a door would actually assist me really feel extra zen when it comes time for sleeping.

Talking of sleeping, the seats convert to lie-flat beds that measure 78 inches lengthy. In contrast to many different business-class merchandise, I liked that Etihad went with an open footwell space, which ought to make it a lot simpler to get comfortable at night time.

Tray tables come out from underneath the armrest and measure 20 inches lengthy and 15.5 inches vast.

The gold sconce connected to the wall provides simply the right quantity of kind and performance, offering some much-needed gentle at night time whereas additionally feeling luxurious.

Sadly, the seats do not function any enclosed storage areas — a small element I am certain some will miss.

When it comes to tech, every pod options 17.3-inch 4K TVs, Bluetooth audio connectivity to wirelessly pair AirPods and different wi-fi headphones, Qi wi-fi charging pads, USB-C and USB-A ports and a common energy outlet.

Talking of design, I liked Etihad’s muted-yet-elevated tones, particularly the gold trim across the aspect desk, which is roofed with fake marble — one other premium contact.

Seat controls are situated at shoulder degree in a vertical place. The armrest adjoining to the aisle will be raised or lowered, however the one connected to the seat cannot be adjusted.

As talked about, there is only one toilet on the entrance of the business-class cabin, which is shared with first-class flyers.

When it comes to the place to take a seat, the excellent news is that no seat is lacking home windows, so I might select one thing midcabin to keep away from any noise which may emanate from individuals lining up for the toilets on the entrance of the economic system cabin.

All in all, this jet’s business-class cabin ought to be tremendous comfortable for medium-haul journey, and I am unable to wait to provide it a strive on the supply flight from Hamburg Airport (HAM) to AUH within the coming days — extra on that quickly.

Etihad Airbus A321LR economic system class

Whereas probably the most posh seats are on the entrance of the aircraft, the vast majority of flyers on the A321LR will likely be seated in one of many jet’s 144 economic system seats.

There are six rows of extra-legroom seats that includes 34 inches of pitch, whereas the remaining seats supply 30 inches of pitch. All seats measure 18.4 inches vast; seats recline 5 inches.

Be aware that row 29 is lacking home windows, whereas row 28 has a misaligned window as a result of exit door that is been sealed shut on this aircraft. (That is as a result of the jet’s premium-heavy configuration signifies that it does not require an extra exit door.)

If I am seated in economic system on this aircraft, I might in all probability choose the exit row 19 for loads of further legroom. (Though row 18 can also be an exit row, seats right here do not recline, so simply beware.)

That mentioned, Etihad’s economic system expertise is about pretty much as good because it will get, and Etihad tried to provide this single-aisle jet a wide-body really feel.

For one, each seat options 13.3-inch 4K displays, in addition to USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Sadly, there aren’t any energy retailers in economic system — a giant miss on Etihad’s half, in my view.

Tray tables fold down from the seat in entrance.

Different premium touches that elevate the economic system expertise embrace nose-to-tail temper lighting strips, however sadly, Etihad did not go for the signature Airbus overhead lights that airways like JetBlue and United put in on related jets.

The excellent news is that this jet options massively outsized overhead bins, so discovering room to your rollaboard bag should not be a problem.

There are simply three standard-sized toilets for the 144 economic system flyers. Two toilets are situated on the entrance of the cabin and one on the again.

Your entire jet is related to Viasat’s satellite tv for pc Wi-Fi service, which ought to supply living-room-quality obtain speeds as soon as in flight. I look ahead to attempting this service on the supply flight and can report again.

Etihad Airbus A321LR routes

Etihad’s Airbus A321LR unlocks an entire new slew of locations and routes for the airline.

Etihad plans to obtain 10 A321LRs by the tip of the yr (with 30 whole on order), which it is going to deploy to locations like Thailand, the Seychelles and even Paris.

The inaugural industrial flight is scheduled for Aug. 1 from AUH to Phuket Worldwide Airport (HKT) in Thailand — however this jet will likely be used on many extra routes within the coming months.

The deployment technique is three-pronged. For one, the A321LR permits Etihad to introduce first-class and business-class suites to markets that are not prepared for the capability of a wide-body. Examples of this embrace Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Algiers, Algeria.

In the meantime, one other kind of vacation spot that is fitted to the A321LR is one which’s in a roughly four-hour radius of Abu Dhabi — however that warrants a premium-heavy product, such because the Seychelles.

Lastly, the Airbus A321LR will likely be deployed in choose enterprise markets to assist Etihad supply extra frequency. One such instance is Paris, which is not prepared for a 3rd every day wide-body flight however may do nicely with the 160 further seats on the A321LR.

Extra deployment particulars are anticipated within the coming weeks and months, so you should definitely keep tuned to TPG for the newest.

Backside line

All in all, Etihad’s A321LR is undoubtedly the airline’s greatest narrow-body jet, and it even rivals a few of its wide-bodies by way of fashionable facilities and tech-forward enhancements.

The primary- and business-class cabins ought to be a welcome improve for anybody who has flown on Etihad’s different single-aisle planes, and even in case you’re connecting from a long-haul vacation spot with the “full” premium expertise, this aircraft should not allow you to down.

The identical goes for economic system, the place vacationers can discover a slew of updates from 4K TVs to sooner Wi-Fi.

Nonetheless, this aircraft positively feels “boutique” relative to the bigger wide-body jets.

In Etihad’s case, the airline is not utilizing the aircraft to exchange twin-aisle planes (such as you may discover in choose transatlantic markets from the U.S. to Europe) — besides, I am certain there will likely be some flyers who will miss flying on a bigger aircraft for a seven-hour voyage.

As for me, I am going to simply hope I am seated within the pointy finish of the aircraft, the place I can loosen up with a glass of Champagne and stretch my ft in a lie-flat mattress.

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