Etihad has today announced its Airbus A321LR along with some brand new cabin layouts and seats as a major step forward in Etihad’s Journey 2030 growth strategy.
Spacious first-class suites along with a lie-flat Business class and a brand new Economy class redefine regional travel.
From the first images revealed by Etihad the first thing that stands out to me are the 4K screens that adorn every cabin with a 13.3” 4K touchscreen in Economy, 17.3” screen in Business and a 20″ screen in the first class cabin.
Etihad A321LR First Class
Etihad’s A321LR introduces an all-new First Suite – a private, enclosed space with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, elevated dining, and bespoke design touches.
Upon first glance, the only differences between this and Business class are a sliding door, a slightly bigger TV screen and a wide bench.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the materials used in the cabin, the seat cover, the leather (or similar material that looks like leather), table surface, the lamp and the full works is identical to what covers the business class seats.
Usually with many first classes, there’s a huge jump up in appearance from Business Class but on this occasion, it’s very difficult to tell them apart.
Etihad’s First Suite is only the beginning of a truly end-to-end premium journey. The airline is expanding its First class offering across more routes – including the A321LR network – and significantly investing in every detail of the travel experience with new services to be rolled out from August with the introduction of the A321LR.
From the moment guests choose to book First, they will be supported by personalised service from the new Etihad Concierge, 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, providing a seamless experience from door-to-door. First class guests will also be personally escorted through a dedicated Check In to the Etihad First Lounge and then for boarding. On arrival, guests will be accompanied from the aircraft door to their chauffeur, with porter services taking care of the 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.
Etihad A321LR Business Class
There are 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct aisle access in a herringbone layout.
Each seat includes a 17.3” 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, and ample personal storage, ensuring a seamless, connected journey.
But as stated above they look very, very similar to First Class. Depending on the jump up in price between the two classes would you really want to pay a fortune for a slightly bigger TV?
Etihad A321LR Economy Class
Out of the three classes, I feel economy certainly get a good deal here with beautiful touchscreen 4K screens and more cushioned chairs. Less of the bells and whistles but certainly a nice comfy economy class with the top-tier service Etihad are known for.
Expanding Horizons
Etihad’s first A321LR enters service on 1 August 2025, with ten aircraft joining the fleet this year. The aircraft 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.
With the Etihad Airbus A321LR at the heart of its fleet expansion, Etihad is reinforcing its role as a key enabler of tourism and economic development in Abu Dhabi, while delivering world-class service at every altitude.
