Etihad Airways Introduces Boeing 787-9 Into Commercial Service

Etihad Airways has introduced its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner into commercial service.

The first flight, operated by a Boeing 787-9, departed Abu Dhabi at 02.15 as flight EY23 for the 7 hour 25 minute flight to Düsseldorf, Germany. The flight arrived at 06.40 the same morning. The return service from Düsseldorf to Abu Dhabi departed at 10.20 with a scheduled arrival time of 19.50 in Abu Dhabi.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is a tremendous milestone for Etihad Airways. The Boeing 787 is without doubt the most technologically advanced aircraft in its class. It will provide us with a clear reduction in operating costs and carbon emissions, at maximum reliability and efficiency. The dimensions and unique features of this aircraft have allowed us to customise it with the most innovative and sophisticated cabins, providing our guests with levels of comfort and attention to detail not previously enjoyed by the modern airline traveller.”

Etihad Airways new B787 interiors feature 8 First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats.

Etihad Airways’ order for two variants of the B787 (-9 and -10), is one of the largest for the type, totalling 71 aircraft.

The airline will place the aircraft on other key medium and long-haul routes such as Washington DC, Mumbai, Moscow and Brisbane, with more destinations being added as the airline takes delivery of more of the type.

The airline will also begin taking delivery of B787s in a two-class configuration from 2016.

The wide-body Boeing 787-9 is a stretched version of the advanced medium to long-range twin engine B787-8, with a range of up to 8,300 nautical miles and a cruising speed of Mach 0.85. It is 206 feet in length and has a wingspan of 197 feet.