'Flat-0ut' - Etihad voted world's leading airline

The 13th annual WTA are currently taking place in the Caribbean's Turks and Caicos Islands where the UAE's national airline has received extensive praise for its unprecedented growth and state-of-the-art new product.

"It is incredible to think that Etihad Airways is not even three years old, yet we have achieved so much in that time. Etihad now operates services to 35 international destinations across four continents, offering Guests the award winning flat-bed on many of the routes," said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan.

Etihad introduces state-of-the-art product

The extraordinary growth of Etihad Airways has been accompanied by the introduction of some of the airline industry's most advanced product on the new fleet.

Included within that is the revolutionary Diamond zone suite, with a seat that sets new industry benchmarks. Not only can it recline 180 degrees into a flat bed, but it can also rotate 180 degrees enabling Guests to hold meetings, dine and converse with one another.

Diamond zone Guests can now relax in the most luxurious surroundings, enjoying an extensive range of TV programmes, films, video games and music on the 'air theatre'.

Guests can enjoy the in-flight entertainment on the 23" personal LCD video screen, and they can enjoy almost total seclusion with the Diamond suite privacy.

The award-winning Pearl zone business-bed, the world's leading flat-bed seat, is available across Etihad's new fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

The seat offers Etihad's superior standards of comfort, reclining a full 180 degrees into a flat 6 feet 1 inches bed. There is also a built-in massage facility to help Guests relax.

With an 88-inch pitch and direct access to the aisle, the Pearl zone seat offers plenty of space and privacy with individual lighting and a reading lamp.

The Pearl zone in Etihad's new fleet of aircraft offers more than 350 hours of world-class entertainment with the advanced audio-video-on-demand system.

The 15-inch personal LCD screens, the largest in comparable cabins in the industry, add a whole new dimension to entertainment in the air.

Guests travelling in the Pearl zone on an Etihad Boeing 777-300ER can also stay connected through wi-Fli, the high-speed in-flight internet access system.

Etihad's Coral zone offers a combination of space, comfort and warm service of the highest standards.

The Coral zone seats are the widest in the industry for its class and have a pitch of 33 inches. A wealth of entertainment is also available, with each seat having its own 10.4 inch personal LCD screen.

Guest-focused philosophy achieves record results

Since Etihad first took to the skies in November 2003 it has received critical acclaim for its innovative philosophy of treating passengers as distinguished Guests.

This approach to air travel reflects all aspects of Etihad's service whether on the ground or in the air, with chauffeur services being offered throughout the UAE for premium zone Guests.

The chauffeur service is also offered throughout the UK, and is set to be rolled out across several of Etihad's other international destinations in the future.

A personalised service also awaits Etihad's premium zone Guests, with dedicated in-flight hosts to make sure Guests feel truly at home.

"Being a world-class airline is more than just the destinations we fly to, and Etihad has gone to great lengths to ensure our Guests, whether travelling in diamond, pearl or coral zones, receive the very finest hospitality and service," continued HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan.

35 destinations in 35 months

With one million Guests flying on Etihad between July and September 2006, and four million anticipated for 2007, the world's leading new airline is continuing to make headlines across the globe.

Among the impressive milestones Etihad has achieved is the launching of 35 new routes in just 35 months, with the highlight of 2006 undoubtedly being the opening of its services to New York in October.

The daily flight to New York will be Etihad's second North American destination after Toronto. Etihad also has ambitions to increase its services eastwards, having opened destinations in more than ten cities across Asia.

New routes on the horizon include Shanghai and Tehran, illustrating Etihad's capabilities of uniting the east and west.

"Abu Dhabi's ideal location, together with Etihad's expanding network of destinations, will ensure more Guests will choose to fly with us, increasing tourism and business in the UAE," continued HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan.

One of the youngest fleets in the world

Etihad's fleet of aircraft is now also one of the youngest in the world with the twenty-second aircraft, a three-zone A340-500, arriving in Abu Dhabi just last week.

The new A340-500 forms part of the airline's record $8 billion order, which was made in 2004 for 29 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

This latest arrival means that 80 percent of Etihad's fleet is brand new which is unprecedented in the world of air travel.

The latest addition to Etihad's fleet will now join the other aircraft which includes nine A330-200s and five Boeing 777-300 ERs.

The most exciting addition to the fleet is expected in 2008 when Etihad takes delivery of four of the double-decker A380-800s, which can carry 555 Guests in a 3 zone configuration.

New loyalty programme described as 'the world's best'

Etihad Guest, the new loyalty programme from Etihad Airways, has also been hugely popular since its launch at the end of August, with more than 60,000 application requests in the first week.

The demand for membership is a clear indication that the pioneering airline is in touch with the thinking of today's discerning international travellers.

At the core of the programme's creation is the absence of uncompromising restrictions traditionally associated with existing loyalty schemes, replaced instead with a flexible range of features and services designed to cater to public demand.

The core benefits of Etihad Guest are:

1) Immediate rewards - with the 1MileRedemption feature, fly once and enjoy instant rewards

2) No blackout periods - GuestSeats are available on all flights, and if a seat is available, you can book it

3) Anytime availability - all seats, including the very last seat, are available at any time. Redeem OpenSeats at a mileage cost equivalent to the commercial price of the seat.

4) The widest choice - redeem on flights, products or services using our exclusive Reward Shop

5) Miles plus cash - decide how many miles you want to use and contribute the rest in cash using our Miles+Cash feature. You even earn miles on the actual cash spent on flights

6) Miles that are worth more - one mile can be worth much more than in any other programme.

Industry experts have been eager to praise the new programme including the American Randy Petersen, editor of InsideFlyer Magazine, who is widely considered to be the world's leading expert on airline frequent flyer programmes.

Mr Petersen commented: "The Etihad Guest programme is the best frequent flyer programme in the world, because it has benefits for every type of flyer. Regardless of how many miles a member flies, they can redeem a reward which is unseen in any programme throughout the globe."

International staff for international airline

Etihad is proud to be the national airline of the UAE, which is at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, and as such Etihad has a highly cosmopolitan staff.

At present there are more than 3,400 staff working across the world, from 94 different nationalities. This is set to grow further as the airline increases its network of destinations.

Rapid growth at Crystal Cargo

Etihad's cargo division, Crystal Cargo, has also continued to grow at an impressive rate since its creation in 2004.

In its first full year of operation, Crystal Cargo transported almost 20,000 tonnes of cargo, which is set to reach 100,000 tonnes by the end of 2006.

As Etihad Airways launches more Guest destinations and take delivery of more aircraft, it is anticipated that this figure will exceed 200,000 tonnes in 2007.

More holidays than ever before

The holidays division, Etihad Holidays, has also expanded at an incredible rate, offering an extensive choice of quality hotels in many of the world's most beautiful, exotic and desirable cities and resorts.

Guests experience efficient, personalised service, true quality and a passion for holidays, backed by Etihad's lowest price guarantee to ensure Guests receive the best value for money.