Etihad Airways to Deploy Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on Singapore Route

Etihad Airways is to deploy a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its popular Abu Dhabi - Singapore route from 1 August 2015.

The new three-class B787 operation will follow a major upgrade for the route on 1 June, which includes the introduction of First Class and a change in schedule timings to provide better connections to the airline’s network via its Abu Dhabi hub.

“The new schedule timings – with evening departures in both directions – will offer guests in the UAE and Singapore more convenient travel times and improved connectivity to 35 destinations in the GCC, Middle East, Africa and Europe,” said Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan. “Most importantly, from a guest experience perspective, the dimensions and unique features of the Dreamliner aircraft have enabled us to customise it with the most innovative and sophisticated cabins. This means, from 1 August, travellers between Abu Dhabi and Singapore will experience levels of comfort and attention to detail not enjoyed previously by today’s air traveller or offered by our competitors on the route.”

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

First Class passengers get to enjoy an enhanced suite with a chilled mini-bar, complete privacy and centre seats which can be joined to create a double bed.

The Business Class Studios offer direct aisle access and a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches in length, while in Economy Class, the innovative Economy Smart Seat provides enhanced comfort with a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat.

Etihad Airways’ order for two variants of the B787 (-9 and -10), is one of the world’s largest for the type, totalling 71 aircraft. The airline currently operates the B787-9 to Washington DC and Mumbai, and from 1 June 2015, to Düsseldorf and Brisbane, with more destinations being added as it 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.