Etihad Airways Celebrates Roll Out Of First Boeing 787-9 Aircraft
SEATTLE, Sept. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Etihad Airways and Boeing yesterday celebrated the roll-out of the airline's first 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring its elegant new 'Facets of Abu Dhabi' livery at an event in Seattle, Washington.
The event was attended by state officials, VIPs, media and executives from Boeing and Etihad Airways as the airline reinforced the importance of the U.S. to the carrier's extensive and growing international network.
"The U.S. is a strategically important part of our network," said James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways. "As we celebrated the roll-out of our first 787 yesterday, we remain focused on bringing Etihad Airways' world-class hospitality and unparalleled product experience to provide more choice to Americans traveling with us worldwide.
"We are also very proud to support vital U.S. businesses including Boeing as one of the largest airline customers for the Dreamliner, an aircraft that will play a fundamental role in the future of our growing international network."
In total, Etihad Airways has placed firm orders for more than 100 Boeing wide-body aircraft and U.S.-made General Electric engines, and holds options for 70 more Boeing jets. The airline's firm orders with Boeing are valued at $40 billion, and include 41 787-9, 30 787-10, and 25 777X, for which Etihad Airways is a launch customer. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, these orders support more than 200,000 U.S. jobs*.
"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," said Ray Conner, President and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
*US Department of Commerce multiplier: Every $1B = 5,747 jobs supported.
Mr Hogan said: "With the support from our valued U.S. partners, Etihad Airways will continue not only as a significant global business, but also as a significant contributor to the growth of the U.S. economy and the creation of more jobs both within America and for Americans abroad."
Etihad Airways' first Boeing 787-9 will be delivered in December, and more than 40 international routes have been identified for future operation by the airline's Dreamliners. Washington D.C. will be among the first, with flights scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2015.
With the aim of providing greater choice and enhanced service to American consumers, Etihad Airways has revamped its product offering on the B787 based on extensive consumer research in the U.S. and other markets, with improvements and refinements in all three classes of travel.
The new First Suite will add many new features, including a chilled mini-bar, and provides a private sanctuary for travellers, replete with 5 star cuisine and wine served by world class chefs. The new Business Studio offers larger seats, all of which have aisle access, and convert into 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, allowing guests to adjust support to maximize comfort. The B787 will feature the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high definition screens across all cabins.
"Our new B787 fleet will set customer service expectations for the airline industry, delivering the highest levels of comfort and choice across all classes of service," said Mr Hogan.
Yesterday's roll-out follows the unveiling of the airline's new livery in Hamburg, Germany this week. The design pattern named 'Facets of Abu Dhabi' 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.
Etihad Airways' decade-long history in America began with its first non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and New York City in October 2006. In September 2009, Chicago became the airline's second U.S. destination, and in February 2013, flights started between Abu Dhabi and Washington, D.C. By the end of 2014, consumers will have even more choice as that number more than doubles, following the introduction in March of a second daily flight to New York, the launch in June of daily non-stop services between Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles, and the commencement of daily flights to San Francisco and three flights per week to Dallas Forth Worth, beginning in November and December respectively. The additional flights in 2014 will increase Etihad Airways frequencies between Abu Dhabi and U.S. to 46 per week, up 120 per cent in one year alone.
In addition to Etihad Airways' passenger services to the U.S., Etihad Cargo offers weekly flights to Miami and Chicago as part of a round-the-world air freight service.
This service plays an important role in supporting the U.S. import and export industries, as well as furthering trade links between the U.A.E. and the U.S.
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/20140928/148833
SOURCE Etihad Airways
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