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Is the new Etihad A350 a game changer? Private cabin for business class and Pro luxury for economy.

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Is the new Etihad A350 a game changer? Private cabin for business class and Pro luxury for economy.
  • Next-generation aircraft will be deployed to key North American and Indian destinations by peak summer season
  • ‘Sustainability50’ programme to drive operational efficiencies and support Etihad’s decarbonisation efforts

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways today unveiled its new Airbus A350-1000, registration A6-XWB, on a special inaugural commercial flight from Abu Dhabi to Paris. The aircraft is the first A350 to be operated by a UAE airline, and the first of five A350s set to join Etihad’s fleet over the coming months.

Is the new Etihad A350 a game changer? Private cabin for business class and Pro luxury for economy.

Is the new Etihad A350 a game changer? Private cabin for business class and Pro luxury for economy.

The first flight departed Abu Dhabi for Paris Charles de Gaulle at 7.30am with a delegation including diplomatic dignitaries, Etihad and Airbus representatives, media, trade partners and other VIPs.

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Sustainability50

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The aircraft, named Sustainability50, carries a unique livery in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the federation of the UAE and Etihad’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It will join the airline’s industry-leading sustainability drive as part of a programme aimed at decarbonising aviation.

Formed as a partnership between Etihad, Airbus and Rolls Royce in 2021, the Sustainability50 programme will see Etihad’s A350s used as flying testbeds of new initiatives, procedures and technologies to reduce carbon emissions, building on the learnings derived from Etihad’s similar Greenliner programme for the Boeing B787 aircraft type.

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The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350 is one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world, with 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin aisle aircraft.

Etihad recently established a formal framework with Airbus to collaborate on sustainability across a number of areas including the promotion and commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel, waste and weight management, and the development of data-driven analysis.

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flydubai participates at the Dubai Airshow with one of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft

“We designed our sustainability programme as a vehicle for collaboration, and our strategic partnership with Airbus allows us to harness the sustainability credentials of the A350 through the Sustainability50 programme, as we work towards our joint objectives to reduce aviation’s impact on the environment,” said Douglas.

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Is the new Etihad A350 a game changer? Private cabin for business class and Pro luxury for economy.

Is the new Etihad A350 a game changer? Private cabin for business class and Pro luxury for economy.

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The airline’s new A350-1000s will be deployed on a number of short to mid-range routes in Q2, including Mumbai and Delhi, before being introduced on ultra-long-haul operations to Chicago and New York from July.

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Guest Experience

The aircraft features Etihad’s newest cabin interior which is inspired by Abu Dhabi and is both more efficient and sustainable in design. Etihad is renowned for high-quality aircraft, and the A350 is filled with thoughtful design details providing exceptional comfort and enhanced privacy.

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Etihad’s signature lighting design is inspired by the shadows cast by Abu Dhabi’s palm trees. The cabin lighting emulates natural ambient light and is designed to enhance the guest experience, provide an optimum environment for sleeping and reduce the effects of jetlag. The Airbus A350 also offers the quietest cabin experience for a wide-body aircraft.

Another feature to help reduce light pollution, and therefore jetlag, is the new dark-mode interface on the E-BOX inflight entertainment system. Mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity is also available throughout the aircraft.

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Etihad’s ‘Little VIP’ younger guests will enjoy the newly launched Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi themed family-friendly flying experience and a special feature on this aircraft is the new interactive flight map feature which means children can explore the maps with the help of some Jurassic-age friends.

Business class

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The elevated Business class is home to 44 Business Studios with sliding doors that provide a high level of privacy to each suite. Every seat faces forward with direct aisle access. The Business class seat, with a width of over 20”, converts into a fully-flat bed of 79” in length, and features ample storage for convenience.

Noise-cancelling headphones and an 18.5” TV screen provide a cinematic experience to enjoy Etihad’s extensive inflight entertainment offering. The Business seats cleverly feature a built-in wireless charging dock and Bluetooth headphone pairing.

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Business class guests can choose from a carefully curated à la carte menu, and guests on longer flights can enjoy Etihad’s signature ‘dine anytime’ service.

Economy class

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Etihad’s spacious Economy cabin is configured with 327 smart seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement, of which 45 ‘Economy Space’ seats have been enhanced with an additional 4 inches of legroom. The Crystal Cabin Award-winning seats were selected after extensive customer trials by Etihad and based on their comfort and sustainability credentials. The seats feature Etihad’s signature supportive headrest, USB charging and Bluetooth headphone pairing, as well as a 13.3” inch screen to enjoy Etihad’s award-winning inflight entertainment system.

Guests receive blankets and pillows for additional comfort and amenity kits on longer flights, as well as enjoying complimentary dining and beverages served by Etihad’s award-winning cabin crew.

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Is the new Etihad A350 a game changer? Private cabin for business class and Pro luxury for economy.

Is the new Etihad A350 a game changer? Private cabin for business class and Pro luxury for economy.

Aerospace

From Doha to the World: The Legacy of Akbar Al Baker at Qatar Airways: Honoured with APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award

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From Doha to the World: The Legacy of Akbar Al Baker at Qatar Airways: Honoured with APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award

In the organization’s five-decade history, the APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award has only been given six times, including the most recent award given to H.E. Mr. Al Baker. This esteemed honour is given only to visionaries and leaders in the industry who drive advancement in the aviation business while also elevating their brands.

Akbar Al Baker is a prominent figure in the aviation industry and has served as the CEO of Qatar Airways for many years. Here’s a brief overview of his story:

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On September 22, 1961, Akbar Al Baker was born in Doha, Qatar. He completed his studies in Qatar before moving to India to attend Aligarh Muslim University to study economics and business. He joined Qatar’s Civil Aviation Directorate after completing his education to start his aviation career.

Akbar Al Baker was chosen to lead Qatar Airways, the nation of Qatar’s state-owned national airline, in 1997. Qatar Airways underwent a substantial turnaround and expansion under his direction. He was crucial in making the airline into one of the top carriers in the world, renowned for its opulent service, cutting-edge aircraft, and extensive global network.

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Some key highlights of Akbar Al Baker’s tenure at Qatar Airways include:

  1. Fleet Expansion: Under Al Baker’s leadership, Qatar Airways expanded its fleet with state-of-the-art aircraft, including the introduction of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner to its fleet.
  2. Award-Winning Service: Qatar Airways has won numerous awards for its service quality, including Skytrax’s “Airline of the Year” multiple times during his tenure.
  3. Hub Development: Al Baker oversaw the development of Hamad International Airport in Doha, which has become a major hub in the Middle East for international travel.
  4. Alliance Memberships: Qatar Airways became a member of the Oneworld alliance, strengthening its global network and partnerships with other leading airlines.
  5. Crisis Management: During his tenure, Qatar Airways successfully navigated through challenging times, including the 2017 blockade imposed by neighboring countries, which led to the suspension of air travel to several destinations.

Akbar Al Baker is renowned for his hands-on leadership style and for holding the airline to a high standard. He is also renowned for making direct and occasionally controversial comments about business-related issues. In the very competitive airline sector, his leadership has significantly contributed to Qatar Airways’ expansion and success.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker Honoured with Prestigious APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award

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Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker was celebrated by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) as the recipient of the CEO Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes industry leaders for their dedication, efforts, and commitment to enhancing the passenger experience. The APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony took place at APEX/IFSA Global EXPO in Long Beach, California on 20 September, where H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker also accepted three awards for the airline.

Qatar Airways was also awarded with three more APEX Awards, solidifying the airline’s status as one of the world’s leading airlines. The following titles presented to Qatar Airways were based exclusively on certified passenger votes: 2024 APEX World Class Award, APEX Award for Best Entertainment in the Middle East, and the APEX Award for Global Best Food & Beverage.

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Qatar Airways Group is a unique organization that encompasses multiple subsidiaries and works in synergy to create the smoothest travel journey including airport ground services, onboard catering, private jet travel, and more. Qatar Airways continues to work in line with its promise to provide all passengers with the most seamless and luxurious travel experience in the world, now adding an additional four prestigious awards to the multi-award-winning airline’s accreditation.

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Aerospace

Austrian Ministry of Defense selects the C-390 Millennium as its new military transport aircraft

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Embraer Concludes Flight Tests for Firefighting Capability for the C-390 Millennium

The Austrian Ministry of Defense announced today the decision to select the C-390 Millennium aircraft as its new tactical transport solution. Embraer is honored to be chosen to support this important Air Force in Europe.

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Austria joins Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, and the Netherlands as the future operators of the C-390 Millennium multi-mission platform, an aircraft that is rapidly redefining the standards of tactical transport in the world defense market.

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Embraer is ready to support the Austrian Ministry of Defense and Air Force in order to meet the demanding requirements of their acquisition process and is prepared to further strengthen the relationship with this nation.

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Aerospace

U.S. F-35 Fighter Jet Missing in South Carolina, and Asks Public for Help

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U.S. F-35 Fighter Jet Missing in South Carolina, and Asks Public for Help

A US fighter jet went missing in South Carolina during a training mishap. According to US military officials, the search for his missing aircraft was centered on two lakes north of North Charleston.

At around 2 p.m. (local time), the pilot evacuated and safely parachuted into a North Charleston neighborhood. He was transferred to a nearby hospital, where he was in stable condition.

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Military officials appealed to the public for assistance with finding the aircraft on Twitter.

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Authorities stated that they are currently looking into the cause of the pilot’s ejection. According to Salinas, the pilot of a second F-35 made a safe landing at Joint Base Charleston. The pilots and their aircraft were part of the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, which is stationed in Beaufort, which is close to the Atlantic coast of South Carolina.

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According to base authorities, they were conducting a search over two lakes to the north of Charleston in collaboration with federal aviation authorities. Each of the aircraft, made by Lockheed Martin, cost about USD 80 million.

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