This includes chauffeur-drive service at both ends of the journey and personal attention all through the flight. The Diamond Suites feature seats that rotate 180 degrees and recline into 6 ft 8-inch flat beds. Each Diamond Suite has a privacy shell that maximum space and direct access to the aisles. The seat has coatroom, a mini-bar, a fold-and-swivel meal table, an integrated personal mirror, a magazine rack, a reading light and a desk lamp. The Diamond Zone Lounge is the place for a formal meeting or a casual chat in the air. The seat has pneumatic lumbar support, a six-way movement headrest and a built-in massage facility. The dining for Diamond Class features specially-designed china, silver-plated cutlery (where regulations permit) and quality glassware. The Diamond Zone menu is prepared by award-winning international chefs.
This includes chauffeur-drive service at both ends of the journey and personal attention all through the flight. The Diamond Suites feature seats that rotate 180 degrees and recline into 6
[[Image:Abu Dhabi International Airport.JPG|thumb|310px|right|Etihad's Main Hub Abu Dhabi Airport.]]
ft 8-inch flat beds. Each Diamond Suite has a privacy shell that maximum space and direct access to the aisles. The seat has coatroom, a mini-bar, a fold-and-swivel meal table, an integrated personal mirror, a magazine rack, a reading light and a desk lamp. The Diamond Zone Lounge is the place for a formal meeting or a casual chat in the air. The seat has pneumatic lumbar support, a six-way movement headrest and a built-in massage facility. The dining for Diamond Class features specially-designed china, silver-plated cutlery (where regulations permit) and quality glassware. The Diamond Zone menu is prepared by award-winning international chefs.
Etihad Airways was established as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by a Royal decree issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was appointed Chairman of the airline. It started with an initial paid-up capital of AED500 million. Services were launched with a ceremonial flight to Al Ain on November 5, 2003 and on November 12, 2003, Etihad started commercial operations with the launch of services to Beirut. In the months that followed, almost one new route was added per month.
In June 2004 the airline flew the first-ever direct flight from the UAE to Geneva, and to Brussels and Toronto in October 2005. It also flew the first-ever non-stop flight from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg. It was awarded the World’s Leading New Airline of the Year Award in 2004, 2005 and 2006 in the World Travel Awards and the World’s Leading Flatbed Seat Award (13th World Travel Awards, 2006).
*Diamond Class available on aircraft with a three-class configuration.
Etihad Airways Airbus A340-300
Etihad Airways’ order worth (Dh32.7 billion) US$8.9 billion for the new Airbus and Boeing fleet was made in 2004. As well as purchasing 5 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, Etihad has also ordered 24 Airbus aircraft (4 A340-500, 4 A340-600, 12 A330-200 and 4 A380).
The fifth Boeing 777-300ER, the last of Etihad’s existing order of ultra long-range aircraft, was delivered in May 2006 and Etihad also took the delivery of its first Airbus 340-500 in June 2006, as well as the delivery of the fifth Airbus 330-200. Passenger levels are expected to grow by 150 per cent from 1.2 million in 2005 to 3 million by the end of 2006, with equally strong cargo growth.
A US$8-billion order for new aircraft in 2004 (five Boeing 777-300ERs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four A380s).
Marketing and support
Etihad Airways aircraft model
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC)
Etihad Airways is a main sponsor and official airline of the third Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), which will be held at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai from the 28 - 30 April 2007. Attracting over 800 senior level attendees representing 46 nationalities, AHIC is an event for the hotel investment industry in the Middle East. The theme of the conference is “Global Aspirations”.[2]
Grass roots sponsorship
Etihad is a lead sponsor for the Abu Dhabi Rugby Union Football Club, which has been competing in the region since 1969, and has 15 teams covering men’s, women’s, veterans’, youth and mini rugby.
Etihad has been the main sponsor of the Abu Dhabi International Sailing School and official airline for the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) for the 2006 season.
Etihad is also one of the main club sponsors for Al Jazira sports club for 2006-07.
Since the 2007 season, Etihad is one of the title sponsors for the Spyker F1 team.
Etihad does not use the conventional designations of First, Business and Economy classes, calling them Diamond, Pearl and Coral.
Diamond Zone
This includes chauffeur-drive service at both ends of the journey and personal attention all through the flight. The Diamond Suites feature seats that rotate 180 degrees and recline into 6
ft 8-inch flat beds. Each Diamond Suite has a privacy shell that maximum space and direct access to the aisles. The seat has coatroom, a mini-bar, a fold-and-swivel meal table, an integrated personal mirror, a magazine rack, a reading light and a desk lamp. The Diamond Zone Lounge is the place for a formal meeting or a casual chat in the air. The seat has pneumatic lumbar support, a six-way movement headrest and a built-in massage facility. The dining for Diamond Class features specially-designed china, silver-plated cutlery (where regulations permit) and quality glassware. The Diamond Zone menu is prepared by award-winning international chefs.
Pearl Zone
The Pearl Zone in Etihad’s new fleet of aircraft — including the two-zone A330-200s, selected new three-zone A330-200s, the A340-500s and the Boeing 777-300 ERs has seats that recline 180 degrees into a fully-flat 6 ft 1-inch bed, with an 88-inch pitch and direct access to the aisle. Each seat is equipped with individual lighting, a reading lamp and a massage facility. The Pearl Zone offers over 350 hours of entertainment with an advanced audio-video-on-demand system, 15-inch personal LCD screens, a Plug-and-Play feature to view the passengers own videos,and an audio player. Some aircraft also have in-flight telephony.
The Pearl seat has power access, USB ports and an RCA socket for laptops.
Coral Zone
The Coral Zone has ergonomically designed seats with lumbar support, headrests and footrests, and a seat pitch of up to 33 inches.Coral Zone guests are offered a choice of over 350 hours of entertainment with an advanced audio-video-on-demand system, and 10.4-inch personal LCD screens. PC power outlets, USB ports and RJ 45 sockets in all seats allow connection to a laptop. On certain aircraft, in-flight telephony is available.
Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest is the airline's frequent flyer program, launched August 30, 2006. It features a discount web shop for loyalty program members and a platform for merchants to log into to manage their products.
Etihad Crystal Cargo is also experiencing significant growth and is expected to double its turnover of Dh361.50 million (US$98.5 million) in 2005 to over Dh734 million (US$200 million) in 2006. Crystal handled 115,000 tonnes of cargo in 2005, about 50 per cent of the cargo uplifted from Abu Dhabi airport. Cargo tonnage is expected to double in 2006 to 230,000 tonnes and to increase significantly in future years. Etihad’s new facility at Abu Dhabi airport will be equipped to handle more than 500,000 tonnes annually. With engine efficiency improvements and design changes that increase payload capabilities up to 20 tonnes per flight, some of the new aircraft, that have recently joined Etihad’s fleet, particularly the Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 777-300ER will play a significant role in cargo expansion.
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