Etihad showcases styling for new 787 doored business class suites

Etihad Airways used the occasion of the Dubai Airshow to reveal how its signature styling looks on the business class suites arriving aboard its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The airline assures that the first of three new 787-9s with the new interior will enter its fleet “soon”.

Based on Collins Aerospace’s Elements platform, the doored business class suites and other particulars about the passenger experience aboard the 787-9s were first announced this spring by the Abu Dhabi-based carrier. But most of the images showed the suite flooded in the twinjet’s purple LED lighting.

In updates shared across its social media channels this week, Etihad provided a close up image of an Elements window suite bathed in natural light — the rich colors of the seat fabric and beige and cream thermoplastics will feel familiar to regular Etihad flyers — and the airline touted the suite’s passenger-pleasing attributes including a full flat bed that stretches to 78”, a 4K inflight entertainment screen measuring 17.3″, and various storage options, plus multiple charging ports and wireless charging. Bluetooth headphone-pairing is supported by the IFE.

Signature Etihad styling can be seen on the Elements suite, including a pleasing combination of cream, grey and rich brown.

A signature of Elements is its unique lip or ‘halo’ feature angling inward at the top of the partition for an elevated sense of privacy. Image: Etihad

The side table storage compartment is open. Alongside it sits a wireless charging area.

Wireless charging? Yes please. Image: Etihad Airways

The IFE is Safran Passenger Innovations’ RAVE Ultra 4K, whilst high-speed inflight connectivity is powered by Viasat’s Ka-band satellite-supported solution. All Etihad Guest loyalty members can enjoy complimentary chat packages, whilst a paid Surf package with unlimited data is also available.

Etihad’s 271-seat economy class section, meanwhile, is configured in the 787’s standard 9-abreast layout and features 244 standard seats plus 27 extra-legroon Economy Space seats, offering four inches of additional space for legs.

The carrier, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, also took delivery of a new 787-10 last month. Together with the -9s, these new aircraft will fuel Etihad’s ambitious growth plans. Having added 12 new destinations this year, and expanded operations in multiple markets, Etihad plans additional new routes in India and says flights to Boston and Nairobi will begin in the coming months.

“These new aircraft are fundamental in helping us to achieve the ambitious plans we have already set into motion to expand our fleet and connect more guests more conveniently to a greater number of destinations. As we do this, we’ll give our guests an inflight experience that exceeds their expectations,” says Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves in a statement.

The Elements seating platform is already making a splash on Taipei-based Starlux’s Airbus A350s, where it first broke cover. Etihad’s new A350s, meanwhile, feature doored Super Diamond business class suites, also from Collins Aerospace.