Etihad Airways has received its first Airbus A321LR, a milestone in the airline’s fleet expansion plans. This initial delivery, part of 30 planned for 2025, brings a touch of luxury to single-aisle travel, featuring private First Suites and advanced connectivity.
The A321LR will play a vital role in the airline’s Journey 2030 strategy, serving 27 new routes to enhance regional and medium-haul services from Abu Dhabi.
The delivery ceremony took place on July 24 at Airbus’s Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg, Germany. The remaining A321LRs are expected by the end of 2025.
Key Features of the Airbus A321LR
- Introduction of private First Class suites, providing widebody comfort on a single-aisle aircraft
- Enhanced onboard Wi-Fi for seamless connectivity during medium-haul flights
- Commencing service from August 2025, expanding routes from Abu Dhabi to various destinations
Etihad’s adoption of the A321LR signifies not only fleet modernization but also a strategic expansion into new markets while upholding premium service standards.
Notable Features of Etihad’s A321LR
- Three-cabin layout, including narrowbody First Suites with sliding doors and fully-flat beds
- Business Class cabin featuring a herringbone layout for direct aisle access and window views
- Economy cabin with entertainment options and increased luggage space
High-speed Wi-Fi by Viasat allows passengers to stream content with minimal latency, ensuring a connected experience throughout the journey.
The A321LR’s commercial service will commence on August 1, 2025, with plans for deployments to various regional and medium-haul destinations.
Etihad’s expansive growth includes the launch of 27 new routes in recent times, reshaping passengers’ expectations for short and medium-haul flights.