Etihad Airways debuts the all-new Airbus A321LR

Etihad Airways has launched its all-new Airbus A321LR, bringing wide-body comfort and luxury to short and medium-haul routes for the first time, the airline said on Sunday.

The A321LR, part of Etihad’s strategy to redefine narrowbody travel, features an all-new First Suite, 14 fully-flat Business seats with direct aisle access, and upgraded Economy seating.

The launch marks a major step toward Etihad’s “Journey 2030” vision to double its fleet size, triple passenger numbers, and open 16 new destinations in 2025 alone.

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

A321LR: Features of First-Class Suites, Business Class on Etihad

The new First Suites offer a private, enclosed space with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, elevated dining, and a 20-inch 4K entertainment screen with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging.

Only two First Suites are available per aircraft, offering an intimate, ultra-premium experience typically reserved for long-haul widebodies.

Business Class features 14 fully-flat beds in a 1-1 herringbone layout, each with a 17.3-inch 4K screen, wireless charging, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and personal storage space.

Meanwhile, 144 Economy seats provide up to five inches of recline and 18.4-inch width — among the widest in the industry — along with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens and USB charging.

Passengers across all cabins can access superfast Wi-Fi, capable of speeds up to 1 Gbps, thanks to Viasat’s advanced, multi-orbit ready system, enabling streaming, social media, gaming, and live TV throughout the flight.

New aircraft starts services on August 1

The A321LR enters service on August 1, 2025, flying from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to destinations including Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich.

Ten A321LR aircraft are expected to join the fleet this year.

Etihad is also expanding its First class offering across more routes, supported by new premium services launching alongside the A321LR. These include personalised travel planning via the new Etihad Concierge, private chauffeur services to and from airports, dedicated First Check-In, and luxury transfers to aircraft doors at Zayed International Airport.

“First isn’t just a seat – it’s an experience that starts the moment you choose to fly with us,” Neves said. “We’re bringing First to more destinations and elevating it at every touchpoint, combining the elegance of champagne and caviar with the convenience of modern luxury.”

Etihad said the new aircraft will play a key role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism and economic development while delivering a world-class travel experience.