Etihad opens new U.S. pre-clearance lounge in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways is one of the few airlines that allows pre-clearance into the US, meaning that passengers arrive in the US without having to face lengthy queues at immigration. However, this has always meant that prior to departure from Abu Dhabi, passengers have had to face a smaller queue to pass immigration within the airport.…

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Etihad complete the soft-furnishing circle with glorious new luxury Giorgio Armani amenities

It seems Etihad Airways has finally completed its upgrade to the passenger experience by enriching the offering with a stunning new collection of amenity kits and loungewear created in partnership with renowned Italian design house, Giorgio Armani, the sister brand to Armani/Casa that already features in the airlines bedding and tableware. The new amenity kit…

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Etihad gives sneak peek of upgraded new lounge offering in Abu Dhabi’s Terminal A

Etihad Airways has just given a sneak peek of its new flagship premium lounges at Abu Dhabi International Airport’s much awaited “Terminal A”. Etihad inaugurated the new terminal on October 31st with a special one off flight before introducing a full transition to the Terminal which should be complete by the 14th November. Etihad’s impressive new…

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Trip Report: Etihad 787-10 Business Class

Heading over to Abu Dhabi to experience Etihad’s brand new A350 I was able to also experience the carrier’s 787 for the very first time. While the product is now a few years old, it was useful to see how the product was still standing up against the competition and how the two products –…

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Etihad introduces ‘Check-In at home’, it may not be new, but it does signal an emerging trend

Etihad has just partnered with DUBZ, powered by dnata, an off-airport solutions provider, making it easier for passengers to check in their bags, pick their seat, even upgrade and collect their boarding pass and luggage tags from their home within Abu Dhabi. A Covid-19 PCR test can also be arranged through the airline’s medical partner, LifeDx.…

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Behind The Scenes: Etihad’s New Economy Class Service

As we announced a few weeks ago, Etihad has revamped its economy service to become more sustainable while offering passengers larger main meals and a restaurant-style service. On first impressions, offering two waves of dining would appear more complicated for the cabin crew, but as we found out by spending a few hours behind the scenes…

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Etihad Completes First Single-Use Plastic-Free Flight To Highlight Industry Challenges

Etihad Airways is now the first airline in the region to have operated a flight without any single-use plastics on board, in a bid to raise awareness of the effects of plastic pollution. Flight EY484 departed Abu Dhabi on 21 April, landing in Brisbane on 22 April, also known as Earth Day. H.H. Sheikh Theyab…

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Etihad Launches ‘Choose Well’ Campaign Highlighting New Product Offering

  Etihad Airways, who is turning 15 this year, has just launched a new ‘Choose Well’ campaign reflecting the airline’s new customer proposition. The airline references the multiple choices we face when we travel, and how to customise the journey on their own terms. It is also reaffirms that Etihad’s customers, partners, guests and employees…

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Etihad Launches Fashion Inspired Promotional Video

Just in time for New York Fashion Week, Etihad Airways has launched a fashion inspired promptional video starring 17 couture designs from renowned British designer Julien Macdonald. Etihad has also partnered with BMW, IWC Schaffhausen and IMG Models to bring the spectacle together. Etihad draws comparisons between the preparation behind fashion shows and preparing an…

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Sunshine Guaranteed? Etihad Holidays Makes Bold Promise

Here at TheDesignAir, we really do believe the rain clouds stalk us, as whenever we go away the rain seems to follow. So imagine our surprise and delight that Abu Dhabi based Etihad has made a promise for travellers booking with their Holiday division, Etihad Holidays. In what we think is possibly a worldwide first, when…

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Alitalia Deliver Not Only A New Brand But A New Brand Promise

Sorry? What was that? Yes we wouldn’t blame you for looking twice at the image above. Alitalia really has launched a new livery, and whilst the awaiting press may have been a little disappointed to not see something perhaps as young, bold and dynamic as Etihad’s recent (award-winning) livery, we are delighted with the result.…

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TRIP REPORT: Etihad A380 First Class February 2015

Flight: EY11 Aircraft Type: A380 Class: First Class “Apartments”  Route: AUH-LHR Flight time: 7:25 Seat: 1H Date: Februrary 2015 http://www.etihad.com Best for: Anyone who can afford it. Suitable for those who have to travel a long way and value space, service and comfort above all else. The crowd: An almost-full cabin. With ultimate privacy, it was hard to say, but mainly top level executive travellers.…

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TRIP REPORT: Etihad A380 Business Class February 2015

Flight: EY12 Aircraft Type: A380 Class: Business “Studios”  Route: LHR-AUH Flight time: 6:40 Seat: 12E Date: Februrary 2015 http://www.etihad.com Best for: Savvy one-stop travellers who want one of the very best products in the skies The crowd: Mainly international travellers, less UAE based passengers than its rivals. Business or pleasure: Definitely both, however the creature comforts far outweigh the excellent connectivity found onboard. Routes: Etihad fly to…

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TRIP REPORT: Etihad Pearl Business Class July 2014

Flight: EY18 Aircraft Type: A330-300 Class: Business Class Route: LHR-AUH Date: July 2014 http://www.etihad.com Best for: International business class travellers looking for luxury with one-stop connections Most likely to sit next to: Local Abu Dhabi residents or über-cool marketing and media types. Business or pleasure: This is an airline all about pleasure, whilst the carrier offers wi-fi and large tables to work from and…

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Etihad’s Residence Is The Best Airline Experience Of Your Lifetime

Today (May 4th 2014) Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has unveiled the world’s first private multi-room cabin on a commercial passenger aircraft. The Residence will unbelievably feature a living room, double bedroom, separate ensuite shower room, and for the first time in the airline industry, a dedicated, trained Butler. We…

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Etihad Blow Competition Out The Water With Reimagined Experience

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has unveiled the new product and service offering on its Airbus A380 and Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft, including The Residence by Etihad, definitely the world’s most luxurious living space in the air, available only on the airline’s A380 aircraft. The new interiors have been designed…

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Thedesignair In Print This Month

Thedesignair may have been a little quiet over the past few weeks, but we have been big in print this month, as well as our usual publications, we have featured in AUH magazine (for Abu Dhabi Airport) once again, and also a full feature in Airline retail news, read the full feature online here. We are…

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Etihad Launch New Global Campaign

Etihad, arguably one of the world’s finest airlines are following the current trend of creating inspirational campaigns to generate excitement about travelling and impart a sense of warmth when discovering the rest of the world. Their subtle take on brand association fits with BA‘s, Virgin’s or even Emirates latest campaigns, which are less about hard…

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Thedesignair In Print This Month

So Thedesignair has been a little quiet recently, apologies, but safe to say we are back up and running at full steam as before. Here’s a small recap over what’s happened in the last 7 days away from the blog. From reporting on EX-YU Aviation news regarding some Ex-Yugoslavian airline brands, through to writing for UK’s…

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Abu Dhabi’s Midfield Terminal Contracts Given Go Ahead

The Abu Dhabi Executive Council has given the green light for contracts to be awarded for a brand new airport terminal at Abu Dhabi International airport. A statement said the council had approved the “awarding of contracts” for the long-awaited Dh25bn Midfield terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which would accommodate up to 27 million passengers a…

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