Up next for Etihad: new first class suites?

Despite a fresh wave of competition at the pointy end of the plane – notably from the likes of Lufthansa, Japan Airlines and soon Qantas, alongside stalwart Singapore Airlines – Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 still boasts one of the world’s best first class suites.

Launched in 2014, the superjumbo’s nine Apartments have a seperate armchair and bed, a mini-bar and vanity cabinet, and introduced a unique central aisle layout which helped contribute to a hotel-like aesthetic for high flyers.

But this was the last first class play for the Gulf carrier, which settled on business class suites as the top offering on its more recent Airbus A350s.

However, a decade on and counting down to a new flagship fleet, Etihad is now reconsidering the allure of first class in its push for the most deep-pocketed passengers.

Speaking with Aerotelegraph, Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves was asked if those forthcoming planes – which will either be Airbus A350-1000s or the Boeing 777-9 – will see the return of first class.

“We haven’t decided that yet,” Neves admitted. “But first class is an important product for Etihad.”

Etihad last launch of first class was in 2014, led by these spacious A380 Apartment suites.

Neves is no doubt mindful that Qatar Airways backflipped on the decision of previous CEO Akbar Al Baker to scrap first class, with new chief Badr Mohammed Al Meer confirming the Oneworld member’s own Boeing 777-9 jets would include first class alongside the revamped Qsuite 2.0 business class.

Neighbour and rival Emirates has already established itself as a benchmark in the first class experience, although Riyadh Airways – which will begin flying in mid-2025 under the leadership of Neves’ predecessor Tony Douglas – will forego first class in favour of reportedly chic and cutting-edge business class berths.

It’s the same strategy which saw Douglas rule out first class on Etihad’s A350s when they debuted in early 2022.

“We’ve deliberately not put a first class product in the conventional sense in the A350,” Douglas told Executive Traveller on board the inaugural Etihad A350 flight.

“Instead, we’ve gone for what I described as being ‘business plus’… it’s beautifully designed and very functional, and I suspect some people would be forgiven for thinking it’s actually a first class  product.”

Etihad's A350s top out with these business class suites.

Etihad is currently flying three versions of first class, from the original ‘Diamond’ suites of its Boeing 777s (and long-gone Airbus A340s) to the more modern Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 suites.

But Neves certainly won’t be rushing headlong to re-enter the era of opulent first class suites.

“The mandate we have from the shareholders is very simple” he says. “We need to be financially viable and sustainable in the long term.”

Also read: Everything you need to know about flying first class with Etihad Airways