In a strong display of commercial partnership between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways unveiled its new 787 Dreamliner livery during an exclusive event celebrating the delivery of the aircraft at Boeing headquarters in Everett, Washington on Saturday. The event followed Etihad Airways’ launch of non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles earlier this year and precedes the carrier’s launch of non-stop flights to San Francisco in November and Dallas-Fort Worth in December.
Consulate of the United Arab Emirates in Los Angeles Consul General His Excellency Abdulla Alsaboosi (center) and Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner (right) pose with U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright in front of the celebrated Boeing 787-9
The unveiling ceremony – attended by senior executives, government officials, and members of the media – featured remarks by Boeing Vice President and General Manager of the 787 Program Larry Loftis, Consulate of the United Arab Emirates in Los Angeles Consul General His Excellency Abdulla Alsaboosi, and Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner.
Consulate of the United Arab Emirates in Los Angeles Consul General His Excellency Abdulla Alsaboosi underlines the significance of the U.S.-U.A.E. commercial aviation relationship in Everett
The program highlighted Etihad Airways’ stance as one of the world’s top Boeing 787 customer and plans to expand its route network in the U.S.; culminating when hangar doors opened to reveal the Dreamliner adorned with Etihad Airways’ freshly-unveiled branding. According to Boeing, Etihad Airways currently has a total of 71 Dreamliners on order, including 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s.
Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner underscores the importance of world-class aircraft to the carrier’s growth plans
“This is a truly momentous and unique occasion to display the strong relationship between Boeing and Etihad Airways and, more broadly, between the U.S. and United Arab Emirates,” said U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright. “The U.A.E.’s global carriers rely on Boeing aircraft fitted with American ingenuity to carry passengers from the U.A.E. to the U.S., and to a growing number of markets around the globe.”
Following the formal program, guests were given the opportunity to walk around the Boeing 787 aircraft and survey Etihad’s new branding as executives held media interviews. For more information about the ceremony, please refer to the Boeing and Etihad Airways press releases below.
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Boeing, Etihad Airways Unveil Livery of Airline’s First 787-9 Dreamliner
26 September 2014
Boeing Press Release
Boeing (NYSE: BA) today rolled out of its paint hangar the first 787-9 Dreamliner that will be delivered to Etihad Airways. The airplane is painted in the airline’s new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery with colors reminiscent of the desert landscape, inspired by the culture, Islamic design and architecture motifs of the United Arab Emirates.
“The U.S. is a strategically important part of our network,” said James Hogan, president and CEO, Etihad Airways. “As we celebrate the rollout of our first 787 today, we remain focused on bringing Etihad Airways’ world-class hospitality and unparalleled product experience to provide more choice to Americans traveling with us worldwide. We are also very proud to support vital U.S. businesses including Boeing as one of the largest airline customers for the Dreamliner, an aircraft that will play a fundamental role in the future of our growing international network.”
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will take delivery of its first 787-9 later this year. Etihad Airways is one of the world’s largest customers for the 787 with a total of 71 Dreamliners on order, including 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s.
“Etihad Airways is one of the most forward-thinking airlines of the world and we’re proud to have their trust and confidence in the Dreamliner,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner. “The airline’s new livery is a unique design that reflects the UAE’s rich heritage of innovation and great hospitality.”
The 787 will be a key part of Etihad Airways’ fleet and network expansion plans. The airline has announced that the 787-9 will be introduced on six of the airline’s routes: Dusseldorf, Germany; Doha, Qatar; Washington, D.C.; Mumbai; Brisbane, Australia and Moscow.
The new 787-9 complements and extends the super-efficient 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, the 787-9 can fly more passengers and more cargo farther with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces.
The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passengers features such as large windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.
Nearly 60 customers from around the world have ordered more than 1,000 Dreamliners, approximately 40 percent of which are 787-9s.
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Etihad Airways rolls out first Boeing 787-9 aircraft
26 September 2014
Etihad Airways Press Release
Etihad Airways and Boeing celebrated the roll out of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner at an event in Seattle, Washington overnight.
The aircraft featured Etihad Airways’ new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery which was unveiled in Hamburg, Germany this week.
James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Aviation Group, said the airline was proud to be one of the world’s largest customers for the B787 Dreamliner.
“We have firm orders for more than 100 Boeing wide-body aircraft which include 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s.
“Our new fleet of B787s will set customer service expectations for the airline industry, delivering the highest levels of comfort and choice across all classes of service.”
Ray Conner, President and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: “Etihad Airways is one of the most forward-thinking airlines of the world and we’re proud to have their trust and confidence in the Dreamliner.”
Etihad Airways’ first Boeing 787-9 will be delivered in December 2014, and more than 40 international routes have been identified for future operation by the airline’s Dreamliners. The aircraft will initially operate between Abu Dhabi and Düsseldorf and between Abu Dhabi and Doha. Services to Brisbane, Mumbai, Moscow and Washington D.C. will follow in the first half of 2015.
Etihad Airways has also revamped its product offering on the B787 based on extensive consumer research, with refinements in all three cabins.
The new First Suite on the B787 will offer guests a private sanctuary with many new features, including a chilled mini-bar and 5-star cuisine prepared on board by world-class chefs. The new Business Studio offers larger seats, all of which have direct aisle access and convert to a fully flat, pneumatically adjustable bed. The Economy Smart Seat is an industry-first and provides unparalleled comfort for travellers with a new ‘fixed wing’ headrest, maximising comfort and enhancing the sleep experience. The B787 will also feature the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high-definition screens in all cabins.
The new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery uses a color palette which reflects the varying hues of the landscape of the U.A.E., from the darker sands of the Liwa desert to the lighter colours seen in the Northern Emirates. The result of extensive research, the design will also be a key feature of the new cabin interiors being introduced on Etihad Airways’ Boeing 787 aircraft.
To view videos of the roll-out event and the B787, please click on the following links:
B787 roll-out event – http://www.etihad.com/livenews
B787 Assembly time-lapse – http://bit.ly/1prQfDZ
B787 Painting time-lapse – http://bit.ly/1v3UgoA
B787 Livery artist impression – http://bit.ly/1pcORpu
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For more information about the overall U.S.-U.A.E. commercial aviation relationship, please refer to the 2014 U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council report below:
