In a Moment of History, Etihad Airways' 'Sustainable 50' A350 Lands at New York JFK Airport

* Beginning on 1 July 2022, all Etihad flights between New York and Chicago will be flown by the airline's new A350 aircraft, which will provide best-in-class in-flight service.

* The 'Sustainable50' initiative promotes operational efficiency and bolsters Etihad's decarbonization initiatives.

The 'Sustainable 50' A350 of Etihad Airways landed in the United States on 30 June, 2022 after the first commercial flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

The aircraft, which can hold 371 people, is one of five new Airbus A350s that will be added to Etihad's fleet in 2018. All Etihad flights serving New York and Chicago O'Hare International Airport will be handled by the A350, adding lines to Mumbai and Delhi that commenced in April of this year.

Etihad passengers heading to the United States have access to the sole United States Customs and Border Protection facility in the Middle East, Etihad's US pre-clearance. They may complete all immigration, customs, and agricultural inspections in Abu Dhabi before boarding their trip, allowing them to skip immigration and lines upon arrival in the United States.

The Etihad Airways 'Sustainable 50' programme leverages Etihad's A350s as flying testbeds for new ideas, processes, and technologies to cut carbon emissions. The programme is the product of a cooperation between Etihad, Airbus, and Rolls Royce and will be implemented in 2021. This initiative will use lessons learned from Etihad's Greenliner programme for the Boeing 787 aircraft type. The Airbus A350, which is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, is one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world, with 25 percent less fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin-aisle aircraft.

The cabin has a design inspired by Abu Dhabi that is both more efficient and environmentally friendly. The distinctive lighting design of Etihad improves the guest experience by creating an optimal sleeping environment and mitigating jetlag. The cabin of the Airbus A350 is also the quietest of any wide-body aircraft. The new dark-mode interface on the E-BOX in-flight entertainment system is an additional function that reduces light pollution and, therefore, jetlag.

Business class on Etihad offers 44 Business Studios with folding doors. With a width of nearly 20 inches and direct aisle access, each seat faces forward and turns into a 79-inch long fully-flat bed. There is an integrated wireless charging station and Bluetooth connectivity for headphones.

The roomy Economy cabin of Etihad is outfitted with 327 smart seats in a 3-3-3 configuration, of which 45 'Economy Space' seats provide an extra 4 inches of legroom. The seats include Etihad's distinctive supportive headrest, USB charging, Bluetooth headphone connection, and a 13.3-inch screen for viewing Etihad's award-winning in-flight entertainment system.

"We are excited to put the Airbus A350 into operation in the United States. This is a remarkable aircraft with very efficient fuel usage and CO2 reductions, allowing us to support our efforts to decrease carbon emissions and provide our passengers with an unparalleled flying experience. By adding the A350, we have almost increased our premium capacity on our New York and Chicago flights to 44 seats in the Business class, which is equivalent to major international airlines' First Class." Etihad Airways' Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Cargo, Martin Drew, said.

Guest Experience

The aircraft boasts the newest cabin décor from Etihad, which is inspired by Abu Dhabi and is designed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly. Etihad is recognised for its high-quality aircraft, and the A350 has thoughtful design touches that provide outstanding comfort and increased privacy.

The trademark lighting design of Etihad is inspired by the shadows created by the palm palms of Abu Dhabi. The cabin lighting is meant to improve the visitor experience, offer an optimal sleeping environment, and lessen the impacts of jetlag by simulating natural ambient light. The cabin of the Airbus A350 is also the quietest of any wide-body aircraft.

The new dark-mode interface on the E-BOX in-flight entertainment system is an additional function that reduces light pollution and, therefore, jetlag. In addition, mobile and Wi-Fi connections are accessible throughout the aircraft.

Additionally, Etihad has designed a "Little VIP" experience for its youngest passengers. The programme gives youngsters family-friendly facilities with a Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme that were recently introduced. The A350 also offers interactive flight maps that children may explore with the assistance of Jurassic-era companions.

Source: etihad.com