Etihad has been on a journey of reinvention, as it turns the ship around and is now on an expansion spree again. The airline has been inducting Airbus A321neo aircraft into its fleet, which have been leased and the product for other carriers so far. Now, Etihad has showcased the product of their A321LR (Long Range), of which the airline will get 10 in the fleet this year and 20 in total.
Etihad’s A321LR
Today, Etihad showcased the product that will be flown on their A321LRS during the Arabian Travel Mart 2025 in Dubai. Etihad Airways will set a new standard for single-aisle flying with its all-new Airbus A321LR debut, delivering wide-body comfort on short and medium-haul routes. Etihad’s A321LR represents a leap forward in guest experience and innovation, bringing Etihad’s signature luxury and an actual First class experience to narrowbody flying.
Etihad’s First Suites on the A321LR
Etihad will offer two exclusive First suites on board its A321LR aircraft. The A321LR introduces an all-new First Suite—a private, enclosed space with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, elevated dining, and bespoke design touches.
The spacious First Suite offers additional space for a companion to sit as well as a large 20” 4K screen for entertainment, Bluetooth pairing, and wireless charging, ensuring comfort and connection at every touchpoint. There will also be privacy doors, which will be missing from the Business cabin at the back.
Etihad’s First Suites on the Airbus A321LR
Most of the differentiation, though, will be made by the soft product, which Etihad will elevate to a first-class level. The hard product will not be different from the business cabin but will have more space. Etihad promises guests will enjoy an intimate, ultra-premium experience usually reserved for long-haul widebodies. This marks the first time Etihad brings the full widebody First experience to a narrowbody aircraft, redefining luxury on short and medium-haul routes. The airline will offer luxury designer loungewear from Giorgio Armani and full turndown service, apart from its co-branded Giorgio Armani and Etihad amenity kit.
Etihad’s Business Class on the A321LR
The new Business cabin features widebody-style seats, all forward-facing with direct aisle access (1-1) in a herringbone layout with 14 fully-flat 78” beds. Each seat includes a 17.3” 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, and ample personal storage, ensuring a seamless, connected journey. The business cabin is behind the Business Plus, nee, Etihad First cabin.
Etihad’s Business Class on the Airbus A321LR
Etihad’s Economy Class on the A321LR
In Economy, 144 seats in a 3-3 configuration will offer up to 5” recline, enhanced ergonomics, and generous space. At 18.4” wide, it’s one of the widest Economy seats in the industry, providing wide-body comfort to the narrow-body aircraft. Every guest will get a 13.3” 4K touchscreen, USB charging, and access to Etihad’s next-generation entertainment system. 36 of the seats will have extra leg room (34″), and the remaining 108 will have standard leg room (30″).
Etihad’s Economy Class on the Airbus A321LR
Etihad also released a video to showcase the new product.
Internet on board
Etihad’s new A321LR aircraft are equipped with Viasat’s advanced, multi-orbit-ready system, capable of up to 1 Gbps speeds, and available from gate-to-gate where permitted. All guests can access streaming, social media, surfing and gaming onboard, and live television throughout the cabin.
On the occasion of the launch of the A321LR product, Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said,
The A321LR is an amazing aircraft which proves our commitment to luxury, customer experience, and connectivity.
With our new First Suites, 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct-aisle access, and upgraded Economy, we’ve taken the luxury experience which 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.
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.
Luxury Beyond the Cabin: The First Experience Redefined
Etihad’s First Suite is only the beginning of a truly end-to-end premium journey. The airline is expanding its first-class offering across more routes—including the A321LR network—and significantly investing in every detail of the travel experience with new services to be rolled out from August with the introduction of the A321LR. The new First-Class experience will add a lot to the soft product.
From the moment passengers choose to book First, they will be supported by personalised service from the new Etihad Concierge, which will be available 24/7 for tailored travel planning.
In the UAE and all First destinations, guests will enjoy a private chauffeur service to and from the airport, providing a seamless experience from door to door. First class guests will also be personally escorted through a dedicated Check In to the Etihad First Lounge and then to the boarding area. On arrival, guests will be accompanied from the aircraft door to their chauffeur, with porter services taking care of the luggage.
In Abu Dhabi, First guests will soon benefit from complimentary Home Check-In and Land & Leave services, offering a baggage-free airport experience. At Zayed International Airport, First guests will be chauffeured to the aircraft door in a private limousine if the flight does not board directly from the terminal.
Entry into Service of the A321LR
Etihad is due to receive its A321LRs from Airbus yet. The first A321LR enters service on August 1, 2025, with ten aircraft joining the fleet this year. The aircraft will fly from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to destinations including Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich.
Bottomline
Etihad’s next chapter with the A321LR has now been showcased. The airline will invest a lot in its A321LR product, which will give it the reach to fly from Abu Dhabi to Europe and South East Asia. There will be 2 First Class (or Business Plus) Suites, 14 Business Class Seats in a herringbone configuration and 144 Economy Class seats. There is some smart use of space there, and also there will be enhancement to the First Class product in August 2025, with the addition of chauffeur service and other amenities.
What do you think of the new Etihad A321LR product?
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Will be interesting to see if they have enough galley space to cater for the 3 different soft products, especially between F and J to make it a marked difference.
But I guess it can work as I have seen Qatar Airways offer a consistent Business Class soft product whether your on Q suites, herringbone business, 2×2 lie flat narrow body or the 2×2 recliners.