Etihad Airways Welcomes Its First Airbus A321LR to the Fleet

Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321LR at the Airbus Finkenwerder facility, marking a significant milestone in its fleet expansion plans. This aircraft introduces the airline’s signature widebody passenger experience to short and medium-haul routes, featuring premium cabins usually found only on long-haul flights. It is the first of 30 A321LR aircraft scheduled to join the fleet.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said, "Today marks an extraordinary moment for Etihad as we welcome an aircraft that changes everything we thought possible on a single-aisle plane. The A321LR enables us to serve more destinations with the same premium experience our guests expect across all cabins, perfectly embodying our commitment to delivering luxury at every altitude."

Redefining Narrowbody Travel

The A321LR boasts a three-cabin layout, including Etihad’s first-ever narrowbody First Suites—private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, fully-flat beds, and bespoke design features typically reserved for widebody aircraft. Each window-facing First Suite includes a 20-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, and space for a companion.

The 14-seat Business cabin has widebody-style seats arranged in a 1-1 herringbone configuration, providing direct aisle access and scenic window views. Each seat features a 17.3-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and wireless charging.

In Economy, 144 thoughtfully designed seats offer a generous level of comfort and space. Passengers can enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen displays, USB charging, and Bluetooth connectivity, bringing an elevated experience to single-aisle travel. Overhead bins are enlarged to accommodate more luggage than traditional narrowbody aircraft.

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft Business, commented, “The delivery of Etihad’s first Airbus A321LR is a powerful symbol of innovation and partnership, strengthening the long-standing relationship between Airbus and the UAE. This aircraft sets a new standard for comfort in the single-aisle category and paves the way for increased connectivity as Etihad expands its operations from its Abu Dhabi hub.”

Stay Connected Above the Clouds

A key feature of the A321LR is its high-speed Wi-Fi, powered by Viasat technology, delivering speeds of up to hundreds of Mbps. Passengers can stream, browse and enjoy entertainment seamlessly throughout their flight, ensuring they remain connected whether for work or leisure. This gate-to-gate connectivity will gradually be introduced on Asian routes from September 2025.

Expanding Horizons

The addition of the A321LR supports Etihad’s ambitious expansion plans, having launched or announced 27 new routes within a year. The aircraft will commence commercial operations on 1 August 2025, initially flying between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, with plans to serve destinations including Algiers, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Krakow, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Tunis, Zurich, and more.

This delivery aligns with Etihad’s Journey 2030 vision, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a premier global aviation hub. A further nine A321LRs are scheduled for delivery throughout 2025, supporting the airline’s goal to carry 38 million passengers annually by 2030.