Etihad Airways takes delivery of new Airbus A330-220

Etihad Airways has taken delivery of a new aircraft, an Airbus 330-220, which marks the first step in the airline's planned transition to a new fleet of wide-bodied aircraft.

This new aircraft will be used to fly from Abu Dhabi to Frankfurt on 1 June 2005, Etihad's inaugural flight to the German commercial capital. After this special flight, the aircraft enter the fleet proper and will operate on all Etihad routes.

The brand new Airbus 330-220 offers a tempting foretaste of the new Etihad in-cabin product which will be launched to the world later this year. The 12 luxury sleeper seats in the Diamond Zone offer a full 180º recline, in addition to a personal space of over three metres. The new Pearl Zone features a virtual flat sleeper seat and Coral Zone travellers will be able to enjoy between 32 and 36 inches of leg room. 

The new aircraft is the first Airbus wide-body to feature the revolutionary 4000i in-flight entertainment system which will be a feature of all new Etihad aircraft, offering  audio and video on demand. Seats in all zones are equipped with high-resolution LCD/ DVD quality screens that match the very best home video systems available today and are designed to be the clearest in the air.

Another new feature is a state-of-the-art mood lighting system, specifically designed to offer guests a constantly changing atmosphere to match the time and duration of their journey. Medical research has proved that mood lighting can considerably reduce the stress levels normally associated with long-haul air travel.

"This new aircraft gives the world a clear indication of the direction we are taking at Etihad, and underlines our continuous growth and development. Although today's aircraft is not to the final specification, the new features are a clear demonstration of how we have taken our guest feedback very seriously since we launched in November 2003," said Etihad Chairman H.E. Dr. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan, who is also Chairman of the Civil Aviation Department in Abu Dhabi.

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