Etihad will on December 1 start deploying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for its Abu Dhabi-Tokyo Narita flights, replacing the Airbus A340 which the carrier currently operates for the non-stop service.
Kevin Knight, Etihad Aviation Group’s chief strategy and planning officer, said the upgrade to the B787 Dreamliner reflected the importance of the Japan route and the airline’s commitment to the market.
“The B787 Dreamliner is an exceptional aircraft from an operational and guest experience perspective. Its unique design and our innovative and stylish cabins offer a guest experience that’s superior in terms of luxury and comfort.”
The Abu Dhabi carrier, beginning May, was scheduled to receive five new 787 Dreamliners over a seven-month period. The fleet now serves routes including Brisbane, Washington, Singapore and Zurich from Abu Dhabi. The Dreamliner is expected to be Etihad’s flagship long-haul aircraft when it takes delivery of 66 more Boeing 787s over the next few years.
Etihad Airways commenced service to Japan on February 1, 2010 with five weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Nagoya, via Beijing, and was increased to daily four years later. Tokyo Narita was added to the Japan route on March 27, 2010 with five weekly non-stop flights, before being upgraded to a daily service on March 31, 2013.
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