Dublin will be one of seven Etihad Airways destinations served by the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner – along with Frankfurt, Istanbul, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and Nagoya – when deliveries of the aircraft begin in the last quarter of 2014. Boeing’s 787-9s will carry up to 300 passengers and have a range of 14,800 kilometres. Etihad’s first aircraft will have a three-class configuration.
Last December, Etihad announced it was buying 10 more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, taking its total order to 41, valued at US$9.3 billion, and making it the largest operator of the aircraft type in the world. The carrier has options and purchase rights for an additional 25 Dreamliners.
James Hogan, President and Chief Executive, said: “This aircraft is the future and our decision to opt for the 787 Dreamliner is testimony to our commitment to operating one of the youngest and most fuel efficient fleets in the skies.”
Captain Richard Hill, Etihad’s Chief Operations Officer, added: “Everything about this aircraft is cutting edge – from the composite fuselage, which is lighter and stronger than aluminium, to the engines that are cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient than other engines operating today, to the all-new wing design with raked wingtips, which help reduce drag and make the aircraft incredibly efficient and environmentally friendly. Pilots will love to fly it and passengers will be just as impressed.”
