Etihad Airways set to introduce Business Studio

MANILA, Philippines - Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will debut its new Business Studio onboard its Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, offering a luxurious standard usually associated with the rest of the industry’s first class travel.

The next-generation Etihad Airways Business Studio will be introduced later this year when the Abu Dhabi-based airline takes delivery of its first A380 and B787 aircraft and offers Business Class guests a space where they can ‘work, rest, and play’.

A total of 70 Business Studios will be located on the upper deck of the A380, while the B787 will have 28 Business Studios, all offering aisle access and a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches long.

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We have been developing the Business Studio over the past five years, with a firm commitment to provide the highest levels of innovation, style, and comfort in business class travel.

“We’re confident this new product will meet the diverse needs and highest expectations of today’s business traveller who will experience the Business Studio onboard our new A380 and B787.”

The Business Studios, which are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving direct aisle access to all guests, are also the airline’s first dovetail (forward and aft) layout, allowing optimal use of cabin space. The suite has a 22-inch wide seat and separate ottoman, which together create a fully-flat bed of up to 80.5 inches long.

The center Business Studios, while ideal for guests travelling together, also offer full privacy for guests traveling alone, with full-height screens between the suites.

The seats have been supplied by EADS Sogerma for the Airbus A380-800 and Zodiac Aerospace for the B787, and are upholstered in leather by Poltrona Frau, the prestigious Italian suppliers of Ferrari’s interiors.

Generous storage is also available inside the Business Studio, including room underneath the ottoman for carry-on items and shoes, as well as a large top-loading cupboard for water bottles, head-sets, literature and other items. Each Studio also features an ample side-furniture surface convenient for resting laptops, tablets and books.

The Business Studio features contemporary design details, inspired by the aesthetics of modern Arabia. A number of different lighting options add to the relaxing ambience, including an elegant side lamp, a reading light, and mood lighting.

Etihad Airways is introducing the latest Panasonic EX3 entertainment system across both fleets, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high definition screens across all cabins.