Etihad takes delivery of first Airbus A330-300

The aircraft is the first of five new A330-300s the Abu Dhabi-based airline will take delivery of during the next two years and will shortly be deployed between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow.

It carries 12 passengers in first class, 40 passengers in business class and 151 passengers in economy class, Etihad said in a press release.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “The delivery of a new aircraft is a great moment for an airline but the new A330-300 is special for Etihad because it is the first time our customers can experience our new product in all three cabins.

“Our first class suite has been a huge success since its launch earlier in the year and we are sure the new business and economy cabin product will be just as popular with our customers.”

Etihad currently has two A340-600 aircraft configured with the new first class suite and the airline will retrofit nine A340s that are currently in service by December 2010.

The new first class cabin contains 12 individual suites which offer more privacy, greater comfort and increased storage. Each seat extends to a fully-flat bed that is 80.5 inches in length and each private suite is accessed by its own sliding door.

A range of enhancements have been made to Etihad’s business class seat such as greater personal stowage, the addition of USB / RCA / iPod connectors, a large and easily accessible cocktail table, 15.4 inch touch screen and mechanically operated centre seat privacy divider, the carrier said in the media release.

The business class cabin on the A330-300 is 25 percent larger than any other aircraft in Etihad’s wide body fleet.

The new economy product offers a new interior finish to the cabin. Each seat has a 33 inch pitch with Poltrona Frau leather headrests and there is also a controller and power sockets underneath the 10.4 inch personal entertainment screen, Etihad added.