UAE national carrier, Etihad Airways will reintroduce four of its A380s from the summer of 2023, the airline announced in an emailed statement on Friday.
The airline said the move follows a surge in demand for air travel across the airline’s network and customer feedback for the return of one of the most remarkable commercial flying experiences in the sky.
“The A380’s reintroduction provides a further boost to Etihad’s capacity into the key UK market, with a knock-on effect for the wider GCC and Indian subcontinent that will bring more visitors to the city of Abu Dhabi,” Etihad Aviation Group’s chairman Mohammed Ali Ali Shorafa said.
Etihad’s A380s feature “The Residence as well as three cabin classes on the double-decker aircraft, including nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios and 405 Economy Smart Seats,” the airline said, adding that this includes 80 Economy Space seats with a seat pitch of up to 36 inches.
The nine First Apartments, which will be set across a single-aisle, offer passengers a private living space with a large leather lounge chair and an ottoman which opens up to become a separate 80.5″ long fully-flat bed, the airline said.
In addition, The First Apartment, which is one of the most spacious in its class and also offers a 24″ swiveling LCD TV monitor and personal vanity unit. This will be the first time that Etihad offers passengers The Residence as an optional extra to further enhance their First experience.
The Lobby, which can be accessed by both guests in the First and Business class, is a fully-service lounge located between the two cabins, and will feature leather sofas, refreshments and a large TV with a USB connection,” Etihad said.
“We know this will be welcomed by our guests who love Etihad’s incredible A380 and its award-winning cabins. We have decided the time is right to return some of our A380s into the fleet to satisfy the demand which has made them financially viable once more. We look forward to welcoming our guests again on board this remarkable aircraft,” Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer Antonoaldo Neves said.
Etihad plans to operate to London Heathrow, “freeing up capacity for increased frequencies on existing routes and the launch of new destinations,” the airline said following the reintroduction of the four aircrafts, which will also be supported by the addition of five A320s.
Etihad will also recruit and train the A380 teams, including pilots, cabin crew and technical ground staff, ahead of its summer operations in 2023.
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