Etihad Airways has unveiled its new luxury experience for short and medium-haul routes, with its all-new Airbus A321LR offering first-class suites, lie-flat business class, and next-generation economy seats. The airline has strived to achieve widebody levels of comfort in a narrowbody aircraft. Etihad’s first A321LR enters service on 1st August 2025, with 10 aircraft joining the fleet this year.
The A321LR marks the first time Etihad has installed a true first-class suite in a narrowbody aircraft, and the airline selected the Opera SA platform from Stelia Aerospace. The two First Suites at the front of the premium cabin are private, enclosed spaces with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, a ‘buddy seat’ for a companion, bespoke design touches, and a special dining service. The suites also have 20in 4K inflight entertainment (IFE) displays, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging.
The 14 business-class seats (again Opera SA, but with a little less space, and without the doors and a few other high-end features) are all forward facing with direct aisle access (1-1) in a herringbone layout. Each seat includes a fully flat 78in-long bed, a 17.3in 4K IFE screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and wireless charging.
Meanwhile the 144 seats in the economy-class cabin have up to 5in recline, are 18.4in wide, and feature 13.3in 4K touchscreen IFE screens, USB charging, and access to Etihad’s next-generation entertainment system.
Etihad’s aircraft are also equipped with Viasat’s advanced, multi-orbit ready system, which is capable of speeds of up to 1 Gbps, and available from gate-to-gate, where permitted. Customers in every travel class can use the system to access streaming services, social media, surfing and gaming onboard, in addition to live television.
“With our new First Suites, 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct-aisle access, and upgraded Economy, we’ve taken the luxury experience which we are famed for on our widebody fleet, and adapted it to offer guests the same experience in a single-aisle aircraft – all while keeping them seamlessly connected with superfast, streaming Wi-Fi throughout the journey,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. “More broadly, the A321LR marks a transformational moment for Etihad as we accelerate toward our Journey 2030 vision: doubling our fleet size, tripling our passenger numbers, and opening 16 new destinations in 2025 alone.”
You can see a video tour of the Etihad A321LR cabin experience HERE.
An enhanced First experience
The A321LR is the latest reveal in the airline’s expanding first-class offering across more routes, and Etihad is investing in every detail of its top-tier travel experience, with new services to be rolled out from August, to coincide with the introduction of the A321LR.
“As well as investing heavily to expand our First class offering, we’re taking the time to enhance every tiny detail of the experience and introducing a host of new premium services over the next couple of months – stay tuned,” said Neves.
Aircraft Interiors International recently reported on the resurgence of first-class travel and looked at what the future experience might bring. See our March issue for the full story.
From the moment Etihad guests book a First ticket, they will be supported by personalised service from the new Etihad Concierge service, which will be available 24/7 for tailored travel planning.
In the UAE and all First destinations, guests will enjoy a private chauffeur service to and from the airport. First class guests will also be personally escorted through a dedicated check-in area to the Etihad First Lounge and then again for boarding. On arrival, guests will be accompanied from the aircraft door to their chauffeur, with porter services taking care of their luggage.
In Abu Dhabi, First guests will also soon benefit from complimentary Home Check-In and Land & Leave services, offering a baggage-free airport experience. At Zayed International Airport, First guests will be chauffeured to the aircraft door in a private limousine if the flight does not board directly from the terminal.
“First isn’t just a seat – it’s an experience that starts the moment you choose to fly with us,” added Neves. “We’re bringing First to more destinations and elevating it at every touchpoint, combining the elegance of champagne and caviar with the convenience of modern luxury.”
More routes, more aircraft
When Etihad’s 10 A321LRs enter service (the first aircraft will operate on 1st August), they will fly from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to destinations including Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich.
Etihad says the A321LR lies at the heart of its fleet expansion plans, reinforcing its role as a key enabler of tourism and economic development in Abu Dhabi.
