New first class cabin for Etihad Airways

The revamp has set back the Abu Dhabi based carrier around $70 million dollars and includes an extra-large seat that will extend to a fully flat bed of 80.5 inches with a width of 29.75 inches.  But the lie-flat bed isn’t just the highlight.  The seat has a built-in massager and naturally has lumbar support, adjustable headrest and power sockets for laptops or other electronic devices.

Each suite is accessed through its own sliding door and has a personal wardrobe, mini bar and a 23” widescreen LCD screen.

Reasoning on the development of a new premium cabin the airline’s chief executive James Hogan explained: “A downturn is exactly the time when an airline needs to demonstrate its commitment to the very highest standards of service excellence. The economic turbulence that the aviation industry is currently experiencing will give way to calmer times, and when it does our investment and product innovation will ensure that we have not simply remained competitive, but that we are the market leader.

"Competition for premium customers remains intense and during the last 12 months a number of airlines have unveiled significant enhancements to their first class cabins, with others deciding to remove the cabin completely from their aircraft,” he said.
 

The new cabin