Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Etihad Airways today announced plans to boost its European Dreamliner network with the deployment of Boeing 787-9 aircraft to Amsterdam and Madrid.
The 299-seat Dreamliners will be introduced on year-round scheduled services to Amsterdam from 1 September, and to Madrid, effective 1 October, joining Düsseldorf and Zurich as the airline’s other European Dreamliner services. The 787-9 will also operate seasonally to Athens during the summer months.
With a phased delivery of nine Boeing 787-9s this year, the aircraft are gradually being introduced on a number of international routes from the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub.
Etihad Airways currently operates a fleet of 13 Boeing 787-9s to 11 destinations – namely Washington, Düsseldorf, Zurich, Johannesburg, Amman, Riyadh, Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, Perth and Brisbane from Abu Dhabi. Beirut, Beijing, Seoul and Melbourne are due to join the 787 network over the next few months.
The Amsterdam route will have a taste of the 787 between 2 and 30 June to help meet demand during the early summer peak period. The current four weekly Madrid services will also be boosted with additional flights, moving to a daily operation from 1 June.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “With two of Etihad Airways’ most popular European destinations joining our 787 network later this year, we are giving more guests the opportunity to fly on our next generation aircraft.
“Flights to and from Amsterdam and Madrid cater to business and leisure travellers, and with growing demand, there was a strong case to introduce bigger aircraft to these destinations. The 787 is fast becoming our flagship long-haul aircraft and as more are delivered, we will continue to look at upgrading existing routes with these excellent planes.
“Since introducing our first 787 into commercial service more than two years ago, we have enjoyed excellent feedback from guests on our ground-breaking cabin interiors that have set a benchmark for high service levels in the region and across the world.”
Etihad Airways’ two-class Boeing 787-9s include award-winning interiors that feature 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats, offering superior levels of comfort, entertainment and in-flight connectivity. On-board décor and lighting have been inspired by contemporary Arabian design, complementing the signature ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ identity introduced by the airline during its livery relaunch in 2014.
Etihad Airways has pending deliveries of a further 58 Dreamliners over the next few years.
Boeing 787 schedule to Amsterdam, Netherlands, effective 1 September 2017 (all times local)
| Flight No. | Origin | Departs | Destination | Arrives | Frequency | Aircraft |
| EY 77 | Abu Dhabi | 09:15 | Amsterdam |
14:45 |
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Boeing 787-9 |
| EY 78 | Amsterdam | 21:25 | Abu Dhabi | 06:20 + 1 | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Boeing 787-9 |
+1 denotes following day
Note: A330-200 operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Boeing 787 schedule to Madrid, Spain, effective 1 October 2017 (all times local)
| Flight No. | Origin | Departs | Destination | Arrives | Frequency | Aircraft |
| EY 75 | Abu Dhabi | 02:15 | Madrid |
08:40 |
Daily | Boeing 787-9 |
| EY 76 | Madrid | 10:00 | Abu Dhabi | 19:35 | Daily | Boeing 787-9 |
About Etihad Airways’ Boeing 787s:
The Business Studios all offer direct aisle access, a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches long, and an increase of 20 per cent in personal space. Upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather, the Business Studio is equipped with an in-seat massage and a pneumatic cushion control system. Each seat has an 18-inch personal touch-screen TV with noise-cancelling headsets.
The Economy seats provide enhanced comfort with a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat, adjustable lumbar support, a seat width of approximately 19 inches, and an 11.1” personal TV monitor.
Etihad Airways features the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system on its 787 fleet, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming, and high definition screens across all cabins. The aircraft has full mobile and Wi-Fi service, with USB and power points at every seat. The airline’s customer-oriented inflight services include Food and Beverage Managers in Business Class.
About Etihad Aviation Group:
Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising five business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Airport Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional.
From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of over 120Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s.
