Inside Etihad’s New A321LR: First Class Suites, Lie-Flat Beds, and Ultra-Fast Wi-Fi

Today, Etihad Airways introduced its latest cabin product, which is set to join the fleet with flights starting on August 1. The airline is raising the bar for single-aisle flying with the launch of its all-new Airbus A321LR, which will feature the first International First Class product available on a narrowbody aircraft.

CEO Antonoaldo Neves mentioned to Business Traveler that the airline plans to operate the A321LR on lighter and trial routes, underlining its commitment to the luxury leisure market by offering three classes of service.

Photo: Courtesy of Etihad.

“The A321LR is an amazing aircraft which proves our commitment to luxury, customer experience, and connectivity,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad.

“With our new First Suites, 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct-aisle access, and upgraded Economy, we’ve taken the luxury experience we are famed for on our widebody fleet and adapted it to offer guests the same experience in a single-aisle aircraft – all while keeping them seamlessly connected with superfast, streaming Wi-Fi throughout the journey.”

The aircraft represents just the beginning of significant changes for the carrier. The first A321LR announces a new initiative called “Beyond Borders,” which will involve a $1 billion investment in both tangible and intangible products. This includes the upcoming retrofit of the airline’s 777 and 787 fleets.

Photo: Courtesy of Etihad.

Etihad’s Chief Commercial Officer, Arik De, confirmed exclusively to Business Traveler that the retrofit of the airline’s widebody aircraft will include a First Class section, as the airline remains committed to this market. He also strongly hinted at introducing a Premium Economy product for the widebody fleet, noting a clear commercial response to the growing demand for this cabin class in the Middle East.

“More broadly, the A321LR marks a transformational moment for Etihad as we accelerate toward our Journey 2030 vision: doubling our fleet size, tripling our passenger numbers, and opening 16 new destinations in 2025 alone.”

First Look: The Airbus A321LR

At the very front of the aircraft, Etihad has taken the Stelia Opera seat with its front-row monument to create a true First Class. While the First Class seat itself is similar to those found on JetBlue, the clear differentiator will be in the soft product, food and beverage, and service design.

Photo: Courtesy of Etihad Airways

Unlike the 14 Business Class seats, Etihad’s A321LR First Suite will feature a sliding door and additional space, including a buddy seat. However, the seats feature the same height, limiting privacy in these suites.

Both First Suites and Business Class feature large 4K screens for entertainment, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging, ensuring comfort and connection at every touchpoint.

Etihad’s new Business cabin features the Stelia Opera seat, arranged in a herringbone layout, offering 14 fully flat beds that stretch 78 inches and face the windows, enhancing passenger privacy.

In the Economy section, the airline continues to provide seats similar to those found on its latest Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350s. There are 144 seats that offer up to a 5-inch recline, with improved ergonomics and generous space.

Photo: Courtesy of Etihad Airways

At 18.4 inches wide, these seats are among the widest in the industry, providing wide-body comfort on a narrow-body aircraft. Each guest also has access to a 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen, USB charging, and Etihad’s state-of-the-art entertainment system.

Photo: Courtesy of Etihad Airways

Etihad’s aircraft are equipped with Viasat’s advanced, multi-orbit-ready system, which can provide speeds of up to 1 Gbps and is available from gate to gate where permitted. All passengers have access to streaming services, social media, browsing, gaming, and live television throughout the cabin.

First Class Experience Boost

Etihad has also revealed it is overhauling its First Class offering across more routes, including on the A321LR network.

“As well as investing heavily to expand our First Class offering, we’re taking the time to enhance every tiny detail of the experience and introducing a host of new premium services over the next couple of months — stay tuned,” said Neves.

Etihad is transforming its approach to provide a genuine First Class experience throughout the entire passenger journey. From the moment guests begin their booking, they will receive personalized support from the new Etihad Concierge, available 24/7 for tailored travel planning.

Photo: The Residence. Courtesy of Etihad Airways

In the UAE and at all First Class destinations, guests will benefit from a private chauffeur service to and from the airport, ensuring a seamless door-to-door experience. This chauffeur service will also be expanded to include every First Class destination that Etihad serves by August 1.

In Abu Dhabi, First Class guests will soon enjoy complimentary Home Check-In and Land & Leave services, which offer a baggage-free airport experience. At Zayed International Airport, guests traveling First Class will be transported to the aircraft door in a private limousine if their flight does not board directly from the terminal.

With the introduction of Premium Economy, new First Class cabins, and an upgrade program that includes new bedding and amenities across all cabins, Etihad is reaffirming its commitment to premium service in a highly competitive market. With an average of 20 aircraft deliveries each year over the next five years, Etihad is on track to achieve its growth goal of accommodating 33 million passengers by 2030.