Etihad unveils new 'Sustainability50' Airbus A350-1000 aircraft Paris flight

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Etihad unveils new 'Sustainability50' Airbus A350-1000 aircraft Paris flight

By Katherine Scott
Updated
Etihad Airways' debuted its new A350-1000 with a flight to Paris.

Etihad Airways' debuted its new A350-1000 with a flight to Paris.

Etihad has unveiled its long-awaited Airbus A350-1000 with a one-off flight from Abu Dhabi to Paris carrying diplomatic dignitaries, industry guests and other VIPs.

The fuel-efficient aircraft is the first of five joining Etihad's fleet in coming months, as part of a green-focused partnership with Airbus and Rolls Royce formed in 2021.

Named Sustainability50, the aircraft features special livery that reflects Etihad's pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as well as recognising the 50th anniversary of the federation of the United Arab Emirates. Etihad is based in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.

Special '50' livery recognises Etihad's pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Special '50' livery recognises Etihad's pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Etihad senior vice president for sales and cargo Martin Drew said the airline will roll out the A350s on short- to mid-range services initially, before introducing them to long-haul routes across the network.

"The deployment plan is to fly our A350s regionally in Q2 (the second quarter of this year), after which we will introduce it on longer haul routes to Chicago and New York in Q3, followed by London in Q4," Mr Drew said at the airline's Australian 15th anniversary gala in Sydney last Thursday.

Operations to Chicago and New York are on track to launch from July.

The new lighting systems takes inspiration from the shadows cast by Abu Dhabi's palm trees.

The new lighting systems takes inspiration from the shadows cast by Abu Dhabi's palm trees.

Mikail Houari, Airbus president for Africa and Middle East, said the A350-1000 sets "new standards of air travel", with "unrivalled levels of operational efficiency". That includes a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions.

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"This marks the start of a promising new chapter for the UAE's aviation sector, led by innovation and a commitment to sustainability," Mr Houari said.

The A350's cabin interiors take design cues from Abu Dhabi's landscapes, according to the airline, with lighting inspired by the shadows cast by palm trees.

Etihad's new 'Business Studios' include sliding doors for added privacy.

Etihad's new 'Business Studios' include sliding doors for added privacy.

The wide-body aircraft also features ambient light and quieter cabins to aid sleep and reduce the effects of jetlag.

Other jetlag-busting features include a new dark-mode in the E-BOX inflight entertainment system to further reduce light pollution throughout the cabins.

Etihad's younger guests will also get to experience the newly-launched Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi experience on the new A350, featuring interactive maps with "Jurassic-age friends".

The upgraded economy seats will feature Bluetooth headphone pairing.

The upgraded economy seats will feature Bluetooth headphone pairing.

The newly-launched aircraft also features Etihad's elevated business class product, with 44 "Business Studios" featuring 20-inch-wide (50cm) seats that convert into fully-flat 79-inch (200cm) beds.

The business suites additionally feature sliding doors for enhanced privacy, ample storage, direct aisle access, large 18.5-inch (47cm) screens, a wireless charging dock, noise-cancelling headphones and Bluetooth headphone pairing technology.

The A350's economy offering will also include Bluetooth headphone pairing, as well as other mod-cons such as USB charging ports and 13.3-inch (33cm) screens.

Etihad is on track to roll out its new economy product by the end of the year, with everything from the dining equipment and packaging to the service items and soft furnishings set to get a spruce-up.

Functionality and sustainability is at the heart of the new service and product features, according to the airline.

Supporting Etihad's goal of reducing single-use plastics by 80 per cent, the aircraft's main dining equipment and onboard plastic products will have the ability to be restored and reused, Mr Drew noted.

Etihad's A350s will be a testing ground for new green technologies and procedures to reduce carbon emissions as part of the airline's 'Greenliner' program.

Mr Drew said Etihad's program will set the standard for a sustainable future.

"With the (Boeing) B787 Greenliner and A350 Sustainable50 aircraft both under the Etihad sustainability umbrella, we are driving the world's most comprehensive industry-wide testing and innovation program."

See also: The new aircraft set to take off in Australian skies

See also: Airline review: Freebies for Etihad economy passengers make this flight a winner

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