Etihad Airways Takes Delivery of Its First Airbus A321LR
Etihad Airways received the first of 30 Airbus A321LR aircraft it plans to incorporate into its fleet on Thursday, during a ceremony held at the Airbus Finkenwerder facility.
“Today, we celebrate a remarkable milestone for Etihad as we welcome an aircraft that redefines what we thought possible in a single-aisle jet,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. “The A321LR allows us to reach more destinations without compromising the premium experience our passengers expect.”
Cabin Innovation: Luxury in Every Seat
Etihad’s A321LR features a three-class configuration that brings the wide-body experience to shorter routes. A standout feature is the introduction of the first First Suites on a single-aisle aircraft: private spaces with sliding doors, fully flat beds, and custom designs. Each window suite includes a 20-inch 4K screen, wireless charging, Bluetooth pairing, and extra space for a companion.
The Business Class cabin offers 14 seats in a 1-1 herringbone layout, all with direct aisle access and window views. Each seat is equipped with a 17.3-inch 4K screen, wireless charging, and Bluetooth connectivity.
In Economy, the 144 seats are designed for superior comfort, featuring 13.3-inch 4K screens, USB ports, and wireless headphone connectivity. Passengers will enjoy access to over a thousand hours of movies, series, and video games. Additionally, overhead compartments have been expanded to provide more storage space.
→ Etihad Airways Lands in Atlanta: Direct Connection Between Abu Dhabi and Heart of U.S. Southeast
Seamless In-Flight Connectivity
One of the highlights of the new A321LR is its high-speed Wi-Fi, powered by advanced Viasat technology. With speeds reaching hundreds of Mbps, travelers can browse, stream, and work from takeoff to landing. This connectivity will be available on Asian routes starting September 2025.
Boosting Etihad’s Global Network
The arrival of this aircraft aligns with Etihad’s aggressive growth plan, which has seen the airline launch or announce 27 new routes in the past year. The A321LR will begin commercial operations on August 1, 2025, initially serving the Abu Dhabi-Phuket route. It will later be deployed on flights to Algiers, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Krakow, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Tunis, and Zurich.
This rollout is part of the “Journey 2030” plan, through which the airline aims to carry 38 million passengers annually by the end of the decade. In 2025, Etihad will receive nine additional aircraft of the same model, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a strategic global aviation hub.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President of Sales, described the delivery as “a powerful symbol of innovation and collaboration,” emphasizing the new aircraft’s role in enhancing connectivity from the Emirati capital.
With this addition, Etihad reaffirms its commitment to excellence, comfort, and operational efficiency on every journey, opening new possibilities for the future of air travel in the region and beyond.
Related Topics
Brazil Lifts Sanction on Aerolíneas Argentinas, Allowing the Airline to Expand Its Flight Offerings
LATAM Airlines Carries 8 Million Passengers in July and Achieves 86.7% Load Factor
Flybondi Resumes Flights to Florianópolis (Brazil) Starting in September
Air Traffic in Latin America and Caribbean Grows in June Driven by Brazil, Argentina, and Peru
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.