Etihad Airways welcomes first Airbus A321LR to its expanding fleet
Aircraft enters service on 1 August between Abu Dhabi and Phuket
ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways has officially received its first Airbus A321LR (Long Range) aircraft, marking a pivotal milestone in its ambitious fleet expansion strategy.
The aircraft was handed over during a ceremony at the Airbus Finkenwerder site, symbolising a leap forward in combining widebody luxury with narrowbody efficiency.
This is the first of 30 A321LRs set to join Etihad’s fleet, enabling the airline to operate premium services on short and medium-haul routes. With a design inspired by long-haul standards, this aircraft is poised to elevate regional travel experiences.
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves hailed the delivery as "an extraordinary moment," emphasising that the A321LR "changes everything we thought possible on a single-aisle plane."
Etihad’s A321LR
Etihad’s A321LR introduces an unprecedented level of luxury in narrowbody aviation, featuring a three-class configuration. At the forefront are the airline’s first-ever narrowbody First Suites, private enclosed cabins with sliding doors, fully-flat beds, and an elegant design inspired by widebody jets. Each suite includes a window seat, a 20-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and space for a guest.
The Business Class section offers 14 seats in a 1-1 herringbone layout, providing every passenger with direct aisle access and window views. Each seat includes a 17.3-inch 4K screen and modern tech such as Bluetooth headphone pairing and wireless charging.
Even in Economy, comfort has not been compromised. The 144 seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens, USB charging, and Bluetooth connectivity. The entertainment system offers access to over 1,000 hours of content, from films to games. Enlarged overhead bins enhance the onboard experience, accommodating more cabin baggage than traditional narrowbody aircraft.
Airbus Executive Vice President Benoît de Saint-Exupéry lauded the delivery as “a powerful symbol of innovation and partnership,” reinforcing the close ties between Airbus and the UAE.
Next-level connectivity
One of the standout features aboard Etihad’s A321LR is its high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi, powered by Viasat. Delivering speeds in the hundreds of megabits per second, the service allows for uninterrupted streaming, gaming, and online access from gate to gate—subject to regulatory approvals.
This state-of-the-art connectivity will initially be rolled out on Asian routes, with full availability expected by September 2025, ensuring passengers stay connected for both work and entertainment.
New routes ahead
The A321LR supports Etihad’s rapid network expansion, with 27 new routes announced or launched in just one year. The aircraft is scheduled to enter commercial service on 1 August 2025, debuting on the Abu Dhabi–Phuket route.
Following its inaugural deployment, the aircraft will operate on key routes including Algiers, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Krakow, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Tunis, and Zurich.
This delivery plays a key role in Etihad’s Journey 2030 vision, aiming to transport 38 million passengers annually by the end of the decade. Nine additional A321LRs are set for delivery throughout 2025, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a central aviation hub on the global map.