Etihad to unveil new first class at Arabian Travel Market

The eye-catching exhibition stand will feature the Abu Dhabi-based airline's new first class suite and revamped business class bed as well as highlight many of the recent in-flight and ground improvements it has introduced for its customers.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' chief commercial officer, said:

"Etihad has invested heavily to raise the bar when it comes to luxury air travel, including the opening of our new premium lounges at Abu Dhabi airport and the roll-out of a new in-flight service style, specifically tailored to the needs of our first and business class customers."

"Visitors to ATM this year can see for themselves the high quality of the end-to-end travel experience we offer our premium customers which we believe really makes us stand out."

To demonstrate Etihad's world class onboard service and cuisine, several of the airline's food and beverage managers, a new cabin crew position introduced by the airline for first and business class customers, will be on the exhibition stand.

These new managers, most of whom joined the airline from five-star hotels around the world, are responsible for championing the quality, presentation and delivery of the airline's onboard catering, ensuring it is consistently to the highest standards.

Beauty therapists from the world-renowned Six Senses Spa - recently introduced into Etihad's new premium lounges at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi airport - will be on the stand to offer visitors complimentary spa treatments.

To mark its sponsorships of the Scuderia Ferrari F1™ team and the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which comes to the UAE capital in November, the airline will display a life-size replica of a Formula 1™ racing car throughout the four-day exhibition.

Other displays will illustrate the exciting line-up of new Etihad routes set to be launched in the coming months and which include Astana, Istanbul, Athens, Larnaca and Chicago.

Members of the Etihad Holidays team will be available to discuss recent developments. The airline's rapidly expanding holiday division has recently re-launched its UAE inbound brochure and now has five sales shops across the country in Al Ain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Etihad Holidays will be selling holiday packages to the public at the stand on Friday, including packages to its latest destinations which include Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.

Etihad will have interactive demonstrations on the exhibition stand of the many rewards and benefits of its industry-acclaimed Etihad Guest loyalty programme. Launched in August 2006, Etihad Guest now boasts more than 500,000 members and recently picked up four category wins at the 'Freddie' awards, organised by the respected US-based InsideFlyer magazine to recognise the travel industry's best frequent flyer programmes.

To add a touch of sophistication, a series of fashion shows will also be held on the stand, featuring the latest collections from Ettore Bilotta, the Italian fashion designer who created the current Etihad cabin crew uniforms.

Etihad Airways will be exhibiting at stand UAE2100 in the UAE and Middle East hall.