Etihad to deploy next-generation Dreamliners on all China flights
14 February, 2019
If you have an Etihad Airways flight coming up later this year from Abu Dhabi to China then you'll be flying on a next-generation Dreamliner.
From July, Etihad's current daily service to Chengdu will be on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which will replace the current Airbus A330-200.
Also from July 1, the daily service from Abu Dhabi to Shanghai will be replaced by the larger 787-10 Dreamliner. This means that all Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to China will now be served with Dreamliners.
Why the Dreamliner is so good
The Dreamliner is known for its higher ceilings, larger cabin windows, and increased cabin pressure to reduce jet lag.
Business class flyers enjoy spacious pods with electric-powered window blinds, a 15-inch flat screen and a dedicated personal flight attendant for the duration of the flight.
In economy class there’s additional leg room, adjustable headrests and the latest in in-flight entertainment.
Why China?
A recent report by Euromonitor International revealed that China will be the world’s most popular tourist destination by 2030 with Lonely Planet naming Shenzhen the second-best city to visit 2019.
At present, there are 28 weekly services from Abu Dhabi to China via Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Etihad recently marked 10 years of direct flights between Abu Dhabi and China and has flown over four and a half million passengers between the two countries.
Etihad also announced this week that from July it will upgrade its service to Seoul by flying the Airbus A380 on its daily service from Abu Dhabi.
The South Korean capital joins London, Paris, New York and Sydney as destinations served by the airline’s award-winning aircraft.