Etihad Guests enjoy a bite of the Big Apple with launch of daily non-stop service to New York

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (SANEPR.com) November 14, 2006 -- As the carrier’s second North American destination, after Toronto, the launch of the route to the USA’s key gateway city symbolises Etihad’s long-awaited entrance into the American market.

James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways, commented: “This new route is a significant milestone for Etihad Airways and we are extremely proud to be introducing our innovative approach to in-flight luxury to the American market after only three years in operation.”

“Guests flying between Abu Dhabi and New York will experience the very best Etihad in-flight product. This includes our award winning business-bed in Pearl Zone and revolutionary Diamond Zone seat, which rotates in a 180 degree circle, enabling Guests to meet and dine with one another.”

“New York,” Hogan continued, “is an exciting city which parallels the cosmopolitan nature of both Abu Dhabi and the Etihad family perfectly. Given Etihad’s strong customer-focused philosophy and the USA’s high standards when it comes to defining service, Etihad is once again demonstrating just how ambitious the airline is. We are therefore confident that this partnership will be well received and very much look forward to helping our new Guests ‘change the way they see the world’ as they travel.”

Michele J. Sison, US Ambassador to the UAE, added: "The launch of Etihad Airways in the United States further strengthens the relationship between the two countries. Etihad’s presence in the US offers enhanced economic and cross-cultural opportunities beneficial to both the United States and the United Arab Emirates.”

Guests on the New York route will enjoy the highest levels of comfort and the very best Etihad in-flight service thanks to the new purpose-built Airbus 340-500 aircraft, with last month’s delivery of the airline’s fourth aircraft in the series meaning that 80 per cent of its fleet is brand new. Configured with two aisles, the aircraft can carry 240 guests in three distinct Zones: 12 in Diamond Zone, 28 in Pearl Zone and 200 guests in Coral Zone.

The Airbus 340-500 is one of Etihad’s first aircraft to offer the luxurious and revolutionary Diamond Zone seat which transfers into a completely flat bed and can be rotated 180 degrees when in an upright position. This unique product enhancement enables guests to hold meetings, dine and converse with one another in the Zone’s sophisticated surroundings, a facility which will undoubtedly be of particular appeal to the route’s business users.

Pearl Zone Guests can experience Etihad’s business bed, which recently won the 2006 World Travel Award for being the world’s leading flat-bed seat. For added luxury, both Zones also boast large personal LCD video screens (23” in Diamond and 15” in Pearl), power supply and USB ports, a built-in Relaxor Massage System and direct access to the aisle, allowing Guests to move freely around the aircraft without disturbing other Guests. Mood lighting throughout the cabin enhance the overall feeling of wellbeing during the flight, minimising the effects of a long-haul journey.

Etihad’s exceptional levels of hospitality extend to its entertainment system. Etihad’s new fleet of aircrafts are fitted with the Thales TopSeries i4000 system, offering more than two weeks of continuous entertainment covering a wealth of languages and cultures and placing the airline amongst the world’s best in-flight entertainment providers.

“Whether it’s our top of the line entertainment system or sophisticated dining experience, we want each Guest to feel truly valued and to enjoy a memorable and relaxing flight,“ said Geert Boven, Vice President Commercial at Etihad Airways.

“Being a Guest onboard an Etihad flight is about far more than simply getting from one point to another – our vision is to not only change your experience of flying with us, but to change your experience of flying. From the moment Guests book a ticket with Etihad to the time they reach their chosen destination, we strive to ensure this experience exceeds expectations at every level.”

To celebrate the inaugural US flight, Etihad has included additional benefits within its industry ground breaking loyalty initiative, Etihad Guest programme, launched worldwide at the end of August. Diamond Zone Guests will now earn more than 150 per cent more bonus miles on the New York route while Pearl Zones Guests will receive a 100 per cent bonus and Coral Zone Guests can accrue 50 per cent more miles.

Additional promotions tied to the New York launch include free flights for children under the age of 12 when flying with an adult in Coral Zone. Pearl Zones Guests, meanwhile, are also entitled to a 50 per cent discount off a second round-trip Pearl Zone ticket.

Over the last 12 months Etihad has considerably expanded the number of destinations to which it flies, fully supporting Etihad’s proud position as the “world’s leading new airline.” This breakthrough growth has enabled the airline to achieve its goal of launching 35 guest destinations in just 35 months.

Etihad’s route to New York also provides a wealth of new opportunities for Etihad’s cargo and holidays divisions, Crystal Cargo and Etihad Holidays.

The A340-500 aircraft has a cargo capacity of 15 tonnes at full passenger load on its Abu Dhabi – New York route, complete with adjustable heat and air conditioned aircraft holds which enable it to carry livestock and perishable loads. The new service will provide a significant boost for the airline’s cargo potential, by offering customers a direct, overnight service to and from the US and beyond.

Etihad Holidays will offer guests a wide choice of accommodation in New York, including such centrally located hotels as the Waldorf Astoria and the Hilton on Times Square.

Flight EY 503 departed Abu Dhabi International Airport daily at 2.15pm on 26 October 2006, arriving into JFK Airport’s Terminal Four at 9.25pm. The return flight, EY 504, departs New York at 11.10pm arriving the next day in Abu Dhabi at 8.25pm.

Etihad Airways in India currently flies 10 times per week 7 flights from Mumbai and 3 flights from Delhi to Abu Dhabi each week, operated by new Airbus A330 200 with the new Pearl and Coral zones.to Abu Dhabi, providing swift and convenient onward connections to the airline’s fast growing global network of 35 destinations.



About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, is the world’s leading new airline and currently offers flights for Guests and cargo to 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

Etihad Crystal Cargo – www.crystalcargo.ae – offers a comprehensive range of cargo services throughout Etihad’s network, and services its many all-cargo destinations and world-wide charters with a fleet of modern regional freighter aircraft.

Etihad Holidays - www.etihadholidays.com - offers a range of innovative holiday options in 82 destinations including skiing, fly-drives, cruises, tours, stopovers, inbound programmes and city breaks.

Through these exciting divisions, Etihad Airways is changing the way people see the world.

Etihad Airways has been awarded the titles of the world’s leading new airline in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and the world’s leading flat-bed seat in 2006.

For more information about this award-winning aviation group, please visit www.etihadairways.com.

For further information please contact:
Achal Paul/ Nisha Pereira/ Nandini Jayaraman
9810162377/ 9811061606/ 9871467112