It is the daybreak of a brand new period for Etihad Airways’ medium-haul community.
The United Arab Emirates provider 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 airplane additionally ushers in a number of different upgrades that flyers will undoubtedly take pleasure in 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 “normal” 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 affix the supply flight to Abu Dhabi).
This is the whole lot you should learn 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 airplane, which is situated within the bulkhead row 1 proper on the pointy finish of the airplane.
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 affix for a meal, Bluetooth audio connectivity, Qi wi-fi charging and rather more.
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There are sliding doorways for extra privateness.
Moreover, these seats have extra cupboard space and a bigger ottoman and footwell space as a result of curvature of the airplane 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 could be the proximity to the galley and toilet.
Frequent flyers, particularly these based mostly within the U.S., would possibly acknowledge these seats as “business-class-plus” merchandise, just 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 your entire 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 might join onto an A321LR and revel in a seamless expertise.
There’s only one standard-sized toilet on the entrance of the first-class cabin, and this bathroom is shared amongst all 16 first- and business-class passengers.
I would anticipate that there could be a line to make use of it throughout peak intervals, corresponding 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 format designed to maximise privateness. Etihad selected a personalized model of the Stelia Opera seat for enterprise class.
Apart from much less storage and private house, 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. Because the airline operates in one of many hottest areas on this planet, including doorways might doubtlessly imply the airplane would wish to limit its payload on the most well liked days — which means the airline would scale back passengers or cargo to decrease the burden with the intention to take off in such circumstances.
That is clearly a tradeoff Etihad wasn’t keen to make.
That stated, whereas I actually would’ve appreciated a door, the reverse herringbone format undoubtedly helps provide you with extra privateness than if you happen to have been going through the aisle. I felt like I used to be in my very own cocoon attempting out these seats for eating and enjoyable, 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. Not like many different business-class merchandise, I beloved that Etihad went with an open footwell space, which ought to make it a lot simpler to get cozy at night time.
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ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Tray tables come out from beneath the armrest and measure 20 inches lengthy and 15.5 inches vast.
The gold sconce hooked up to the wall provides simply the right quantity of type 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 positive 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 beloved 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 could be raised or lowered, however the one hooked up 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 sit down, the excellent news is that no seat is lacking home windows, so I would select one thing midcabin to keep away from any noise that may emanate from individuals lining up for the bathrooms on the entrance of the financial system cabin.
All in all, this jet’s business-class cabin ought to be tremendous cozy for medium-haul journey, and I can not 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 financial system class
Whereas essentially the most posh seats are on the entrance of the airplane, nearly all of flyers on the A321LR will likely be seated in one of many jet’s 144 financial 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 airplane. (That is as a result of the jet’s premium-heavy configuration implies that it does not require a further exit door.)
If I am seated in financial system on this airplane, I would most likely choose the exit row 19 for loads of extra legroom. (Despite the fact that row 18 can be an exit row, seats right here do not recline, so simply beware.)
That stated, Etihad’s financial 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 financial system — a giant miss on Etihad’s half, for my part.
Tray tables fold down from the seat in entrance.
Different premium touches that elevate the financial 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 comparable jets.
The excellent news is that this jet options massively outsized overhead bins, so discovering room in your rollaboard bag should not be a difficulty.
There are simply three standard-sized bathrooms for the 144 financial system flyers. Two bathrooms are situated on the entrance of the cabin and one on the again.
Your complete 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 sit up for attempting this service on the supply flight and can report again.
Etihad Airbus A321LR routes
Etihad’s Airbus A321LR unlocks a complete 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 should deploy to locations like Thailand, the Seychelles and even Paris.
The inaugural business 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 sort of vacation spot that is suited 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 each day wide-body flight however might do effectively with the 160 extra 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 finest narrow-body jet, and it even rivals a few of its wide-bodies when it comes to trendy 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 if you happen to’re connecting from a long-haul vacation spot with the “full” premium expertise, this airplane should not allow you to down.
The identical goes for financial system, the place vacationers can discover a slew of updates from 4K TVs to quicker Wi-Fi.
Nonetheless, this airplane undoubtedly feels “boutique” relative to the bigger wide-body jets.
In Etihad’s case, the airline is not utilizing the airplane to exchange twin-aisle planes (such as you would possibly discover in choose transatlantic markets from the U.S. to Europe) — besides, I am positive there will likely be some flyers who will miss flying on a bigger airplane for a seven-hour voyage.
As for me, I am going to simply hope I am seated within the pointy finish of the airplane, the place I can loosen up with a glass of Champagne and stretch my ft in a lie-flat mattress.
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