Etihad Airways is introducing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its daily Abu Dhabi-Washington Dulles service from March 15, marking the U.S. debut of its new First, Business and Economy class products.
The airline’s interiors for the Boeing 787-9 include eight First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats.
Etihad Airways has 41 Boeing 787-9s on order and a further 25 on option. It has also ordered 30 Boeing 787-10s and optioned 12 more
Onboard décor and lighting have been inspired by contemporary Arabian design, complementing Etihad Airways’ new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery design.
“As the most technologically advanced aircraft in its class, the Boeing 787 will reduce the operating costs and carbon emissions on our Washington, D.C. route and provide maximum efficiency and reliability,” says James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways.
Etihad Airways began daily non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and Washington Dulles International Airport in March 2013, creating the first direct air link between the two capitals.
According to Etihad Airways, the service has attracted strong demand from government and business travelers, and has also supported the continued growth of leisure travel between and beyond the two cities.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways first revealed its new livery, which is based on desert colors, in late 2014 on its first Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A380 deliveries
Passengers traveling to Washington Dulles International Airport from Abu Dhabi pre-clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The process allows passengers to pass through all required checks including U.S. customs, immigration and security before they board their flight to the US, enabling them to avoid queues on arrival.
U.S. pre-clearance also means that baggage security screening at Abu Dhabi for Etihad’s flights to Washington Dulles meets United States TSA security standards, allowing travelers who connect to domestic flights in the U.S. to have their baggage checked through from Abu Dhabi to their final destinations.
Washington Dulles International Airport is one of six destinations served by Etihad Airways in the United States, along with San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago and New York.
With 41 aircraft on firm order by the airline, the Boeing 787-9 is set to become a mainstay of Etihad Airways’ long-haul fleet. Etihad has also ordered 30 787-10s
Etihad Airways has ordered two variants of the Boeing 787, the 787-9 and 787-10, its 787 orders totaling 71 aircraft.
From March 15, the airline’s schedule for its Boeing 787-9 flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport (IATA code AUH) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) will see flight EY131 leaving AUH at 11:30 a.m. daily and landing at IAD at 6:45 p.m. the same day, local time.
In the other direction, flight EY130 is timed to depart IAD at 10:50 p.m. daily from March 15 and touching down at AUH at 7:45 p.m. the following evening, local time.
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