Etihad to launch all-economy services
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Etihad Airways will launch all-economy services in October, in a move that has surprised many in the Middle East trade.The airline will introduce two all-economy A3230s on selected short-haul routes which it claims are characterised by low demand for business or first class seating.These routes include Alexandria, Calicut, Colombo, Damascus, Doha and Thiruvananthapuram.The aircraft will feature 162 economy class seats - 42 more than current economy capacity.Plans are in place to expand the all economy fleet to 10 A320 aircraft which will enable the airline to launch new short haul destinations which have low demand for premium travel and also to existing Etihad destinations.”Etihad has grown at a remarkable pace during the past six and a half years,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer. “We have built a strong brand and a robust business, and it is the right time to challenge the way we serve our various markets and segments.”Our all economy aircraft will allow us to offer a more competitive product in key point-to-point markets in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, while maintaining the high standards of service we have become known for.”Customers travelling on the new ‘all economy’ aircraft will receive the same economy class service and product featured in the airline’s current narrow body fleet, such as seat back in-flight entertainment screens and hot and cold meals and beverages. Each seat has a 32 inch pitch.Etihad currently has 15 A320 aircraft within its fleet and 35 aircraft are on order from Airbus.
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