Etihad’s New, Customizable Economy Experience
Joe Cortez June 05, 2019
Etihad Airways wants economy flyers to go their own way after a planned retrofit of their 23 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. The new plan includes streaming entertainment to personal devices, a new dining menu in cabin and “Extra-spatial Design seats.”
If you are flying on a future short-haul flight aboard Etihad Airways, the carrier will soon invite you to “Go Your Own Way.” The Abu Dhabi-based airline announced an overhaul of their economy cabins on 23 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.
The new passenger experience will be showcased in three ways: installing new seats, new streaming entertainment options and an improved dining menu. According to the airline, the “ergonomic Extra-spatial Design seats” will be provided by Britain’s Acro. When installed, the new seats will offer more legroom, as well as integrated USB power outlets and adjustable phone and tablet holders.
Streaming to those personal devices will be a new in-flight entertainment system from Panasonic. Flyers can choose from over 300 hours of entertainment to flyers from well-known companies, including HBO and Universal Studios. Flyers can access their entertainment options by downloading Etihad’s “E-BOX STREAM” app before departure. In-flight entertainment screens will remain standard on the carrier’s wide-body aircraft.
Finally, economy passengers will also receive an improved dining experience on flights longer than three hours. Flyers can expect a “bistro-style” meal with larger portions featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. In addition, menus will also reflect the flight’s destination, giving travelers a taste of where they are going. Complimenting the dining experience is lighter cutlery and reduced trash production, which will result in lighter aircraft and reduced fuel usage.
“As a leading full-service airline, Etihad is adapting to meet the specific needs and requirements of all travelers, providing more of what they really want to enjoy inflight,” Tony Douglas, group chief executive over Etihad Aviation Group, said in the press release. “This not only delivers greater choice and personalization, it also ensures we continue to provide a superior, commercially wise and sustainable service offering.”
[Featured Image: Etihad]
I can't see how I could work on a tray table that small. Does it fold out again to double the size?
And the reality doesn't match :( Reports back from friends who flew with the new service reported small serves and everything outside meal times, including a coffee, has to be paid for from a very expensive buy on board menu.
So what exactly is customizable about this other than the entertainment? You can't even pre-order your choice of meal. The seats you show certainly are not customizable. It's basically a press release.