Etihad Unveils A321LR: Bringing Widebody Comfort to Narrowbody Flights
Etihad is introducing lie flat business and first class seats on their new Airbus 321LR aircraft.
Etihad Airways has officially revealed its new Airbus A321LR, marking a significant development in the airline’s "Journey 2030" strategy. The aircraft is expected to enter service from 1 August 2025, with the inaugural flight scheduled to Phuket, Thailand.
Journey 2030 is Etihad’s long-term plan to double the size of its fleet, triple passenger numbers, and expand its global network in a financially sustainable way. This strategy reflects a shift from the airline’s previous ambition to match the size of giants like Emirates, focusing instead on profitable, controlled growth.
The A321LR aims to deliver widebody levels of comfort on short and medium-haul routes. It will feature an upgraded experience across all cabins including a newly introduced First Suite, fully flat Business seats, and refreshed Economy seating; something Qantas customers can only dream about!
Etihad’s Fleet Expansion
Etihad has ordered 20 Airbus A321LRs, with 10 expected to be delivered by the end of 2025. These aircraft are designed to serve routes where demand does not justify a daily widebody service, as well as to add additional frequencies to key destinations.
The A321LR offers a range of approximately 4,000 nautical miles. This range is more than sufficient for Etihad’s route network given the geographical advantage of Abu Dhabi, allowing access to major markets across Europe, Africa and Asia without the need for ultra-long-haul capabilities.
New routes that will be launched using the A321LR include Algiers, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phnom Penh and Tunis. Additional flights will be added to cities such as Milan, Zurich, Athens and Bangkok.
First Class or "Business Plus"?
Etihad’s A321LR will debut a First Suite product, featuring two fully enclosed suites at the front of the aircraft. Each suite includes a sliding door, lie-flat bed, a 20-inch 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth audio pairing, wireless charging, and a space for a companion to dine.
While the suite is a significant step up for narrowbody flying, it is important to note that this offering is quite different from Etihad’s existing widebody First Class products such as The Apartment or The Residence.
Unlike those cabins, the A321LR First Suite does not have a dedicated lavatory, and the seat itself is based on the Stelia Opera platform which is otherwise used for Business Class seating.
Given these factors, the product could be more accurately described as "Business Plus" rather than true First Class in the traditional Etihad sense. Essentially there will be 2 bulkhead seats which aren't separated from the business class cabin but sold as first class. What's not clear is how Etihad will deliver a consistent first class experience as no doubt there won't be any dedicated crew to look after first class passengers.
Etihad's New A321LR Business Class Seat
The Business Class cabin on the A321LR features 14 reverse herringbone seats in a 1-1 layout. Every seat converts into a 78-inch fully flat bed and comes with a 17.3-inch 4K screen, wireless charging and Bluetooth audio pairing.
Unlike some newer Business Class products, Etihad has opted not to include sliding doors in Business. This decision was made deliberately to reduce the overall weight of the aircraft, maximising range and operational efficiency.
Even without doors, the layout offers passengers a high degree of privacy, particularly for regional flights.
Economy Class
In Economy, Etihad will offer 144 seats arranged in a 3-3 configuration. Each seat features an 18.4-inch width, one of the widest available in a narrowbody aircraft, and up to 5 inches of recline. Every passenger will have access to a 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen along with USB charging.
Connectivity has also been upgraded with Viasat’s next-generation Wi-Fi installed across the entire aircraft, capable of streaming, browsing and social media access throughout the flight.
Complimentary Wi-Fi access will be offered to First Suite passengers, while other travellers will have the option to purchase plans.
Inaugural Flight to Phuket
The first Etihad A321LR is scheduled to enter service on 1 August 2025, operating a flight from Abu Dhabi to Phuket. This marks the start of Etihad’s renewed focus on using single-aisle aircraft for premium leisure and regional business markets, offering a consistent product standard across more routes.
Phuket is a fitting choice for the debut, combining strong premium leisure demand with a distance that suits the A321LR’s range capabilities. It also highlights Etihad’s broader network strategy, which aims to grow connectivity without relying exclusively on larger widebody aircraft.
Final Thoughts
Etihad’s A321LR represents a major upgrade for its regional and medium-haul offering. The introduction of widebody-style seating across all cabins ensures a more consistent premium experience, even on shorter routes.
While the First Suite product brings a new level of privacy to single-aisle flying, it does not replicate the full experience found on Etihad’s larger aircraft. It would arguably be more accurate to market it as an enhanced Business Class option rather than traditional First.
Nonetheless, with improved technology, flat beds in Business and better comfort in Economy, the A321LR gives Etihad a competitive advantage.
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