Etihad Brings First-Class Suites To Kolkata Flyers

Kolkata has become the first city in India to welcome Etihad Airways’ new Airbus A321 LR (Long Range) service, as the airline introduced the premium narrow-bodied aircraft on the Abu Dhabi route this week. The move marks a significant upgrade for passengers travelling from the eastern metropolis, offering wide-body style comfort in a single-aisle aircraft.

The A321 LR is configured with 160 seats, including exclusive first-class suites, a business class cabin with lie-flat seats, and 144 economy seats. Each first-class suite features private doors, concierge-style assistance and chauffeur-driven services, aiming to recreate the luxury usually associated with larger aircraft.

“It is a very special moment for Kolkata. We have recreated a widebody experience inside a narrow-body aircraft, which is an industry first,” said Javier Alija, Vice President for Global Sales and Distribution at Etihad.

Etihad restarted flights to Kolkata in March 2023 with four weekly services after the pandemic. The route has since grown in frequency, reaching eight flights a week in 2025. Airline officials noted that Kolkata was chosen as the debut market in India for the A321 LR due to its “premium potential”.

Currently, Etihad operates 185 weekly flights to 11 Indian cities, with a cap of 50,000 weekly seats under the bilateral agreement between India and the UAE. The airline has three A321 LRs in service and expects 10 by the end of 2025, with plans to expand the product to more Indian cities as deliveries continue.