Etihad will launch an updated version of its Business Studio seat on the 787 Dreamliner fleet beginning later this year. The carrier announced the new seat, built on the Collins Elements platform, as part of its upgraded passenger experience plan at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this week.
Etihad’s new 787 Dreamliner cabin interior showcases further enhancements to our award-winning and industry renowned cabins. Our new Business class takes the guest experience to new heights with the second evolution of the Business Studio which was launched on the Airbus A350-1000 last year.
– Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways
The business class cabin features 32 seats in a 1-2-1 layout. The seats recline to a 78″ lie-flat-bed feature a 17.3” 4K TV screen powered by Safran‘s RAVE inflight entertainment. The screens also feature Bluetooth headphone pairing and each Business Studio seat includes multiple charging ports and wireless charging.
Each passenger will have a suite door for increased privacy. The suite wall height has also increased since its initial deployment on the carrier’s A350s, further improving the privacy available.
While the Collins Elements seat is also flying for Starlux, Etihad is the first airline to offer it on the 787.
Economy class passengers also will have an embedded IFE screen, including a USB charging port.
Passengers throughout the plane will have the option to pair their phone or tablet as a controller for the IFE system.
On the inflight internet front, Etihad also announced it selected Viasat for the new planes. This includes supporting a complimentary “chat” service tier for members of the Etihad Guest loyalty program. Passengers can also pay up for access to the Surf package, with unlimited data for the duration of the flight rather than time-limited or megabyte-based packages.
The first few months of service for the planes could see a rather limited internet service. The carrier will undoubtedly benefit immensely from the new ViaSat-3 constellation. But the first satellite – serving the Americas – just launched over the weekend and is not expected in service until July at the earliest. The second satellite – covering EMEA – is expected to launch in approximately six months. It will then take a few months to reach its orbital slot and enter service. Optimistically, it might be ready for Etihad and other airlines in Q1 2024.
That means the planes are likely to have limited internet coverage available for the first few months of operations, even with potential roaming on to YahSat capacity while in the Middle East.
More news from Arabian Travel Market 2023
- flyDubai introduces Business Suite lie-flat for 737 MAX
- Saudia picks Vantage Solo for A321XLR
- Etihad upgrades Business Studio for new 787s, adds Viasat internet
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