Etihad Airways Takes Delivery of Its First A321LR

‍HAMBURG — Etihad Airways (EY) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321LR following today’s ceremony at the Airbus Finkenwerder site.

The new aircraft will allow EY to deploy its signature wide-body experience on short and medium-haul routes, featuring premium cabins typically found only on long-haul flights. This is the first of 30 A321LR aircraft scheduled to join the EY fleet.

Etihad’s A312LR Cabin Layout

The A321LR features a three-cabin configuration, including Etihad's first-ever narrow-body First Suites—private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, fully flat beds, and bespoke design usually reserved for long-haul wide-body operations.

Each window-facing First Suite features a large 20-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and additional space for a companion to sit.

The aircraft's 14-seat Business cabin features wide-body-style seats in a 1-1 herringbone layout, ensuring every passenger has direct aisle access and window views. Each Business seat includes a 17.3-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and wireless charging.

In Economy, 144 thoughtfully designed seats offer generous space and comfort, providing an elevated experience for single-aisle travel. Passengers enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen displays, USB charging, and Bluetooth connectivity. These seat back screens bring premium content back to narrow-body travel, featuring over a thousand hours of movies, shows, and games.
Furthermore, the cabin features enlarged overhead bins providing significantly more luggage space than traditional narrow-body aircraft.

Comments from Etihad, Airbus Officials

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."

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft Business, said, “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.”