Etihad Airways has begun flights to Beijing using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which features next-generation Business and Economy Class seats. It will operate with 299 seats - 28 in Business Class and 271 in Economy Class, representing a 14 per cent capacity increase.
Peter Baumgartner, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Since launching flights between our two capitals of Abu Dhabi and Beijing nine years ago, we have experienced the huge growth of China’s outbound tourism market and enjoyed strong demand from business and leisure travellers.”
“The decision to upgrade our operations to the Dreamliner reflects the importance of Beijing and the Chinese market to the airline, and the sustained development of economic relations between the two countries. Beijing is the nation’s economic, political, cultural and international exchange centre, which underlines its importance within Etihad Airways’ global network.”
Image: Ribbon-cutting Ceremony with Mohammad Al Bulooki, EVP of Etihad Airways; Peter Baumgartner, CEO of Etihad Airways; H.E. Ni Jian, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE; H.E. Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.
[caption id="attachment_39126" align="aligncenter" width="2231"] H.E. Ni Jian, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Visited Etihad Airways Innovation Centre[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_39125" align="aligncenter" width="4000"] Etihad Airways' Boeing 787[/caption]