Sustainability, passenger experience top in Etihad’s A350

Etihad Airways has received its new Airbus A350-1000, the first of five A350s set to join Etihad’s fleet over the coming months. Remarked Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer: The Airbus A350 is an absolutely incredible aircraft. The aircraft, named Sustainability50, carries a livery in recognition of 50th anniversary of UAE.

The aircraft features Etihad’s newest cabin interior. The cabin lighting emulates natural ambient light and is designed to enhance the guest experience. The Airbus A350 also offers the quietest cabin experience for a wide-body aircraft. Another feature to help reduce light pollution, and jetlag, is the new dark-mode interface on the inflight entertainment system.

The elevated Business class is home to 44 Business Studios with sliding doors that provide a high level of privacy to each suite. Noise-cancelling headphones and an 18.5” screen provide a cinematic experience.

Formed as a partnership between Etihad, Airbus and Rolls Royce in 2021, the Sustainability50 programme will see Etihad’s A350s used as flying testbeds of new initiatives, procedures and technologies to reduce carbon emissions, building on the learnings derived from Etihad’s similar Greenliner programme for the Boeing B787 aircraft type. The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350 is one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world, with 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin aisle aircraft.