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{{Infobox Airline
|airline = Etihad Airways<BR>الإتحاد للطيران
|logo = Etihad_Logo.jpg
|logo_size = 200
|fleet_size = 46 (+110 orders)
|destinations = 56 <small>incl.cargo destinations</small>
|IATA = EY
|ICAO = ETD
|callsign = ETIHAD
|parent =
|company_slogan = From [[Abu Dhabi]] to the World
|founded = 2003
|headquarters = [[Abu Dhabi]], [[United Arab Emirates]]
|key_people = H.E. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Chairman),<br>James Hogan (CEO)
|hubs = [[Abu Dhabi International Airport]]
|frequent_flyer = Etihad Guest
|lounge = Etihad Premium Lounge
|alliance = [[Arabesk Airline Alliance]]
|website = http://www.etihadairways.com
|Reviews = http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews113386.html
}}
Established in 2003, '''Etihad Airways''' ({{lang-ar|'''الإتحاد'''}}, ''ʼal-ʻitiħād'') is the [[flag carrier]] airline of [[Abu Dhabi]], [[United Arab Emirates]]. Etihad is based in [[Abu Dhabi]], the capital of the [[United Arab Emirates]].


'''Etihad''' is the Arabic abbreviation for الإمارات العربية المتحدة - United Arab Emirates. It operates services to the [[Middle East]], [[Europe]], [[Indian subcontinent]], [[North America]], [[Far East]], [[Africa]],[[Central Asia]], and [[Oceania]]. Its main base is [[Abu Dhabi International Airport]].<ref>{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 78 | date= 2007-04-03}}</ref>
etihad is a brilliant airline service that provides excellant food in economy and buisness class

it was founded in 2003 and is a chain airline to united arab states and abu dhabi
In 2008, it carried more than six million passengers, compared with 340,000 in its first full year of operations in 2004.

== History ==
[[File:Etihad a340-500 a6-ehb arp.jpg|thumb|right|Etihad Airways [[Airbus A340-500]] taking off at [[London Heathrow Airport]]]]
[[File:Etihad.a340-300.a6-eyc.arp.jpg|thumb|right|Etihad Airways [[Airbus A340-300]]]]

Etihad Airways was established as the national airline of the [[United Arab Emirates]] in July 2003 by a royal decree issued by [[Sheikh]] [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]. It started with an initial paid-up capital of [[United Arab Emirates dirham|AED]]500 million. Services were launched with a ceremonial flight to [[Al Ain]] on [[November 5]], [[2003]]. On November 12, 2003, Etihad started commercial operations with the launch of services to [[Beirut]]. In the months that followed, almost one new route was added per month.
In the same month, Etihad set up its subsidiary, Etihad Holidays.

In June 2004 the airline flew the first direct flight from the UAE to [[Geneva]] followed by [[Brussels]] and [[Toronto]] in October 2005.

In June [[2004]], the airline made a US$8-billion order for new aircraft in 2004, which included five [[Boeing 777-300ER]]s and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four [[A380-800]]s.

By June [[2006]], the airline had grown to 30 destinations in 30 months. The airline hopes to achieve a target of over 70 destinations by 2010.

In [[2008]] Etihad carried more than 6 million passengers, compared to 4.6 million in 2007, and
flew to over 50 destinations.

== Performance ==

The airline has not made a profit since its inception, but expects to break-even in 2010. Growth has never fallen below 40% a year. In its first 4 years, it doubled in size every 6 months, and has every year since.<ref name="CNN">[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2005/10/01/8359251/index.htm Rise of the Emirates Empire] [[CNN|CNN Money]], October 1, 2005</ref>

In the financial year 2008, Etihad carried 6 million passengers and 330,000 tonnes of cargo. [[International Air Transport Association]] (IATA) statistics indicate that in 2007 Etihad ranked among the top-ten airlines in the world in terms of growth since its inception in 2003.

== Cargo ==
[[File:Etihad Crystal Cargo Logo.png|189px|right]]
''Etihad Crystal Cargo'' is Etihad's [[cargo]] division, operating two [[Airbus A300|A300-600F]] [[cargo aircraft]] and one [[MD-11]] [[cargo aircraft]] . It started operations in September 2004.

Etihad Crystal Cargo is expected to double its turnover of AED361.50 million ([[United States dollar|US$]]98.5 million) in 2005 to over AED734 million (US$200 million) in 2006. Crystal handled 115,000 tonnes of cargo in 2005, about 50 per cent of the cargo uplifted from [[Abu Dhabi International Airport]]. Etihad’s new facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport will be equipped to handle more than 500,000 tonnes annually. New aircraft, particularly the [[Airbus A330#A330-200F|Airbus A330-200F]] and [[Boeing 777#777 Freighter|Boeing 777-F]], will play a role in cargo expansion. Etihad has reached an agreement with [[World Airways]] to provide additional uplift.

== Destinations ==
[[Image:Etihad B777-300ER Brisbane.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 777-300ER]] at [[Brisbane Airport]], [[Australia]].]]
[[File:Etihad a340-500 a6-ehb taken09feb08 arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Airbus A340-500]] taking off from [[London Heathrow Airport]]]]
{{Main|Etihad Airways destinations}}
As of August 2009 Etihad Airways serves 54 destinations<ref>[http://ey.innosked.com/ Etihad Airways Route Map]</ref> and Etihad Crystal Cargo serves 10 destinations in 38 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

<center>
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="4" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+ '''New destinations starting in 2009 (Updated 5-Aug)'''
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
!Destination
!Frequency <br/> (per week)
!Aircraft
!Commencing
!Notes
!References
|-
|[[Chicago]], [[USA]]
|3
|A340-500
|2 September
|6 weekly from 1 November, daily from January 2010
|<ref>http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/Etihad/ae/en/aboutetihad/mediacenter/newslisting/newsdetails/Pages/EtihadAmericancodeshare.aspx?fromNewsListing=true</ref>
|-
|[[Cape Town]], [[South Africa]]
|Daily
|A330-200
|30 September
|
|<ref>http://www.ameinfo.com/204518.html</ref>
|-
|[[Hyderabad]], [[India]]
|4
|A320-200
|November
|Daily from early 2010
|<ref>http://www.arabianbusiness.com/563952-etihad-announces-new-indian-route-to-hyderabad</ref>
|}
</center>

== Codeshare agreements ==
Etihad has [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines (as of [[July 2009]]):

{{Multicol}}
*[[Aer Arann]]
*[[American Airlines]]<ref>http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-and-Etihad-prnews-1011852478.html?x=0&.v=1</ref>
*[[Bangkok Airways]]
*[[BMI (airline)|BMI]]
*[[Brussels Airlines]]
*[[Iran Air]]
*[[Jet Airways]]<ref>[http://www.gulfnews.com/Business/Aviation/10220054.html Gulfnews: Etihad in code-share deal with Jet Airways<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[[Kuwait Airways]]
*[[Malaysia Airlines]]
{{Multicol-break}}
*[[Middle East Airlines]]
*[[Philippine Airlines]]
*[[Qantas]]
*[[Royal Air Maroc]]
*[[Saudi Arabian Airlines]]
*[[Sri Lankan Airlines]]
*[[Turkish Airlines]]<ref>http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=302734&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16</ref>
*[[Ukraine International Airlines]] [starts 26 September]
*[[Yemenia]]
{{Multicol-end}}

== Fleet ==

The entire fleet as of August 2009: <ref>[http://www.etihadairways.com/SITES/ETIHAD/GLOBAL/EN/EXPERIENCEETIHAD/Pages/OurFleet.aspx Our Fleet]</ref> <ref>http://www.etihadmediacentre.com/assets/89327434/files/Corporate_Facts_and_figures-English.pdf</ref> <ref>[http://www.etihadcrystalcargo.com/Cargo/Webforms/ViewAircraftCouture.aspx?pageid=21B78EC5-ED69-4E07-B5AC-0E4104E0689F Fleet Information - Crystal Cargo]</ref>

<center>
{| class="toccolours sortable" border="9" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+ '''Etihad Airways Fleet'''
|- bgcolor=#D4AF37
!<font color=white>Aircraft
!<font color=white>In Service
!<font color=white>Orders
!<font color=white>[[Option (aircraft purchasing)|Options]]
!<font color=white>Purchase Rights
!<font color=white>Passengers <br> <small>(Diamond/Pearl/Coral)</small>
!<font color=white>Haul
!<font color=white>Entry Into Service
|-
|[[Airbus A320 family#A319|Airbus A319-100]]
|2
|–
|–
|–
|104 (0/20/84)
|Asia, Europe
|In Service
|-
|[[Airbus A320 family#A320|Airbus A320-200]]
|10
|20
|5
|15
|140 (0/20/120)
|Africa, Asia, Europe
|In Service
|-
|[[Airbus A330#A330-200|Airbus A330-200]]
|16
|–
|–
|–
|200 (10/26/164) <br> 216 (12/24/180) <br> 262 (0/22/240)
|Africa, Asia, Europe
|In Service
|-
|-
|[[Airbus A330#A330-300|Airbus A330-300]]
|–
|5
|–
|–
|TBD
|TBD
|Late 2009
|-
|[[Airbus A340#A340-500|Airbus A340-500]]
|4
|–
|–
|–
|240 (12/28/200)
|Europe, North America, Oceania
|In Service
|-
|[[Airbus A340#A340-600|Airbus A340-600]]
|6
|2
|–
|–
|286 (12/30/244)
|Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania
|In service
|-
|[[Airbus A350|Airbus A350-1000]]
|–
|25
|10
|15
|TBD
|TBD
|2017
|-
|[[Airbus A380|Airbus A380-800]]
|–
|10
|5
|5
|TBD
|TBD
|2012
|-
|[[Boeing 777#777-300ER|Boeing 777-300ER]]
|5
|10
|10
|5
|378 (0/28/350)
|Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania
|In Service
|-
|[[Boeing 787|Boeing 787-9]]
|–
|35
|25
|10
|TBD
|TBD
|2014
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''43'''
|'''107'''
|'''55'''
|'''50'''
|colspan=3|
|}
</center>


<center>
{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+ '''Etihad Crystal Cargo Fleet'''
|- bgcolor=#D4AF37
!<font color=white>Aircraft
!<font color=white>Total
!<font color=white>Orders
!<font color=white>Capacity
|-
|[[Airbus A300|Airbus A300-600RF]]
|3
|–
|97,000 [[Pound (mass)|lbs]]
|-
|[[Airbus A330#A330-200F|Airbus A330-200F]]
|–
|3
|152,100 [[Pound (mass)|lbs]]
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''3'''
|'''3'''
|}
</center>

== Cabin ==
===Diamond Zone===
[[File:A330-200 Etihad A6-EYP EDDF.jpg|thumb|Etihad [[Airbus A330-300]] taxing to the runway at [[Frankfurt Airport]]]]
First Class is known as the ''Diamond Zone<ref>[http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/in/en/experienceetihad/ourguestzones/pages/Diamond.aspx Diamond First Class]</ref>''. The Diamond first class Suites feature seats that rotate 180 degress creating a setting for a business meeting or dinner and recline into 6' 8" flat beds. each Diamond Suite has a privacy shell that ensures maximum privacy and direct access to the aisles. within this space there are a range of facilities, including a coatroom, a mini-bar , a fold-and-swivel meal table, an integrated personal mirror, a magazine rack, a reading light and a desk lamp. each Diamond seat comes with pneumatic lumbar support, a six-way movement headrest and a built-in massage facility.

Each Diamond Suite features 23" personal LCD screens with 350hrs of entertainment with AVOD. Diamond Suites also feature Plug-and-Play feature to view own videos while the Audio player lets create own music play lists.
Also there are power access, 2 USB Ports and an RCA Socket for Laptop power. Some aircraft have in-flight telephony.

The Diamond First Class Zone will be changed throughout the long-haul fleet with new suites and changed toilets. Pearl Business Class will have adjustments to its seats (wider armrests, bigger tv screens, closing up the TV to the seat, and bigger dining tables).

===Pearl Zone===
[[File:Etihad.airways.1.750pix.jpg|thumb|right|Etihad Airways [[Airbus A330-200]] (A6-EYB) landing at [[London Heathrow Airport]]]]
Business Class is known as the ''Pearl Zone<ref>[http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/in/en/experienceetihad/ourguestzones/pages/Pearl.aspx Pearl Business Class]</ref>''. The Pearl business class seats recline to 180 degrees into a fully flat 6' 1" Business Bed. It has an 88" pitch and direct access to the aisle for plenty space and privacy. Each self-contained seat is eqiupped with individual lighting and a reading light. There is also a build-in massage facility.

Each Pearl Business seat features 15" personal LCD screens which offers 350hrs of entertainment with AVOD. They also have Plug-and-Play feature to let passengers view their own Videos while the Audio Player lets create their own music playlists.

Some aircraft also have in-flight telephony.
each Pearl Business seat has power access, USB Ports and an RCA Socket for Laptop connection

===Coral Zone===
Economy Class is known as the ''Coral Zone<ref>[http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/in/en/experienceetihad/ourguestzones/pages/Coral.aspx Coral Economy Class]</ref>''. The Coral economy class seats feature lumbar support, headrests and foot rests and up to 33 inch seat pitch.
Each Coral Economy seat features 10.4" personal LCD screens and has 350hrs of entertainment with AVOD while the Audio player lets passengers create their own music playlists.
Also featured are Laptop power outlets, USB Ports and RJ 45 sockets.

All three classes feature ''Mood Lighting'' on the [[Airbus A330-200]], [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-500/600]] and [[Boeing 777-300ER]] aircraft.

[[Image:etihad a330-200 a6-eys manchester arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Airbus A330-200]] taxiing for takeoff at [[Manchester Airport]], [[England]] ]]

=== In-flight entertainment ===
Etihad uses the ''Thales TopSeries i5000 <ref>[http://www.thales-electrondevices.com/aerospace/Press-Room/Press-Release-search-all/Press-Release-search-result/Press-Release-Article.html?link=10406112-4F06-6124-6176-6B715B6D290B:central&locale=EN-gb&Title=Etihad+Airways+selects+the+Thales+Inflight+Entertainment+System+for+its+entire+fleet&dis=1 Etihad Airways selects the Thales Inflight Entertainment System for its entire fleet]</ref>'' in-flight entertainment system with AVOD (audio-[[video on demand]]) system on its new long-range aircraft and on some of its new A320-200 aircraft. They are upgrading the system to a new style called E-Box. Newer additions to the fleet, as well as some older planes, feature a [[Plug-And-Play]] system, which works on [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] technology, that allow passengers to play their own audio, video and picture media. Some aircraft have in-flight [[telephony]].

== Etihad Guest ==
''Etihad Guest'' is the airline's [[frequent flyer program]], launched August 30, 2006. It features a discount [[Online shop|web shop]] for [[loyalty program]] members.

Etihad is not part of any [[airline alliance]], but has a partnership agreement with [[Qantas]], [[Brussels Airlines]], [[Oman Air]] and [[Jet Airways]].

== Company data and management structure ==
[[Image:etihad.a340-500.a6-ehb.arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Airbus A340-500]]]]

In the financial year 2008, Etihad carried 6 million passengers and 330,000 tonnes of cargo<ref>{{cite news
|url = http://www.itcadubai.com/aboutitcadubai/marketinformation_en_gb.aspx
|title = ITCA Dubai Market Information
|publisher = ITCA Dubai
|date = n/a
|accessdate = 2007-09-16}}</ref>. Etihad has 6,300 members of staff which includes around 3,000 cabin crew and 600 pilots.

=== Board of directors ===
Etihad is governed by a [[board of directors]] chaired by HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan being the vice chairman and operates in terms of its founding legislation and the Article of Association of the Company. The Board consists of seven independent non-executive members and has two sub-committees, being an Executive Committee and an Audit Committee, each with its own charter and chairman.

=== Management team ===
The airline is led by James Hogan (formerly CEO of [[Gulf Air]]) who was appointed as [[Chief Executive Officer]] in October 2006.

== Corporate sponsorship ==
*Etihad is a sponsor of UAE sports clubs, including the Abu Dhabi Rugby Union Football Club, the Abu Dhabi International Sailing School and the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC), as well as the [[Al-Jazira Club]].
*For the 2007 season, Etihad was one of the title sponsors for the [[Spyker F1|Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team]]. Because the team was purchased by the chairman of another airline ([[Vijay Mallya]], of [[Kingfisher Airlines]]), Etihad switched to [[Scuderia Ferrari]] from 2008 onwards.
[[Image:Massa Algarve Test 2008 1.jpg|thumb|right|Etihad's logo on the rear wing of a Ferrari F1 car]]
*On July 30, 2007 it was announced that Etihad Airways would become the main sponsor of [[Harlequins]] rugby club and [[Harlequins Rugby League]] club ([[UK]]). The sponsorship also includes renaming the East Stand at the [[Twickenham Stoop Stadium]] (the home of Harlequins) to the Etihad Stand. Etihad's logo is painted on the roof of the stand which is under the flight path to [[London Heathrow Airport]].
*On December 18, 2007 Etihad announced that they would become the title sponsor for the [[2009 Formula One season|2009]] [[Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] to be held on [[Yas Island]].
*On March 19, 2008 it was announced that Etihad Airways would become a main sponsor for the [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] from 2008-10.
[[Image:Etihad Stadium logo-01.JPG‎|thumb|right|Etihad Stadium Logo]]
*In October 2008, it was announced that Etihad would take over sponsorship of the [[Docklands Stadium]] in Melbourne (previously known as the Telstra Dome). The name change to Etihad Stadium took effect on March 1, 2009.
*In May 2009, it was also announced that Etihad would be the official sponsor of [[Manchester City Football Club]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Etihad Airways to sponsor Manchester City|url= http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=6633121&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=&frommonth=3&fromyear=2009&tomonth=5&toyear=2009|publisher= [[Manchester City F.C.]]|date= 2009-05-24|accessdate=May 25, 2009}}</ref>
*Etihad also holds another aircraft line maintenance facility at [[Allama Iqbal International Airport]] in [[Lahore]] ([[Pakistan]]). The second largest facility outside the UAE.<ref>[http://www.daily.pk/business/businessnews/5211-etihad-airways-opens-dedicated-aircraft-line-maintenance-facility-in-lahore-pakistan.html Etihad Airways opens dedicated aircraft line maintenance facility in Lahore Pakistan]</ref>

== Awards ==
Etihad Airways has received over 30 awards since its inauguration in 2003. It has a four star rating by [[Skytrax]].

== Incidents and Accidents ==
[[File:Etihad Toulouse accident.jpg|thumb|F-WWCJ, 15 November 2007]]
Etihad Airways has had no fatal accidents and no major accidents in revenue service.
*On 15 November 2007 an [[Airbus]] [[Airbus A340|A340-600]], due to be delivered to Etihad, ran into a concrete blast fence during an engine test at the [[Airbus]] factory at [[Toulouse Blagnac International Airport]], [[France]]. The cause was the crew not following proper test procedures raising all four engines to maximum thrust while the wheels were un-chocked. The attempt to steer away from the wall resulted in decreased braking power. Five people were injured, there were no fatalities. The aircraft was written off.<ref name=Flight>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/12/10/319969/violation-of-test-procedures-led-to-toulouse-a340-600.html |title=Violation of test procedures led to Toulouse A340-600 crash |publisher=Flight Global| accessdate=2008-12-12}}</ref><ref name=BEA>{{cite web|url=http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2007/f-cj071115/pdf/f-cj071115.pdf |title=Accident survenu le 15 novembre 2007 sur l’aérodrome de Toulouse Blagnac à l’Airbus A340-600 numéro de série 856 |publisher=Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile |language=French | accessdate=2008-12-12}}</ref>

== Controversy ==
*On 27 April 2007 two [[Australia]]n businessmen gained international notoriety after behaving badly aboard an Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Wainwright
|first = Robert
|url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/fracas-facts-in-skyhigh-fog/2007/06/08/1181089328724.html
|title = First-class fracas, but facts remain in a sky-high fog
|publisher = Sydney Morning Herald
|date = 2007-06-09
|accessdate = 2007-06-09 }}
</ref> David Andrew Evans and Jeremy Harvey David were drunk, stripping naked and offering flight attendants money for [[sex]]. The pair were detained in an Abu Dhabi prison for six weeks, telling news reporters they were treated inhumanely and were forced to live off "fermented [[Camel#Meat|camel meat]]".<ref>{{cite news
|last = Haynes
|first = Rhys
|url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21812937-663,00.html
|title = Aussie 'held in stifling cell, fed camel meat'
|publisher = Herald Sun
|date = 2007-05-29
|accessdate = 2007-06-06 }}
</ref> The men were eventually convicted of [[sexual harassment]], given [[Suspended sentence|suspended jail sentences]], and [[Deportation|deported]] from the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Carter
|first = Paul
|url = http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21856313-1702,00.html
|title = Deported Aussies being flown home
|publisher = news.com.au
|date = 2007-06-05
|accessdate = 2007-06-06 }}
</ref> They were also fined 1,000 Dirhams for drinking alcohol aboard an Etihad flight without a [[Prohibition#Middle East.2C North Africa.2C and Central Asia|liquor permit]].<ref>{{cite news
|url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/men-detained-in-uae-consider-legal-action/2007/06/07/1181089159239.html
|title = Men detained in UAE consider legal action
|publisher = The Age
|date = 2007-06-06
|accessdate = 2007-06-08 }}
</ref> The Australians later vowed to sue Etihad Airways.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Wainwright
|first = Robert
|url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/deported-businessmen-set-to-sue-airline/2007/06/06/1180809558078.html
|title = Deported businessmen set to sue airline
|publisher = Sydney Morning Herald
|date = 2007-06-06
|accessdate = 2007-06-06 }}
</ref> The men were later dropped from the board of directors of the mining company they represented.

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks}}
*[http://www.etihadairways.com/ Official website]
*[http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews113386.html Passenger reviews]

{{Template group
|list =
{{Navbox Airlines of the United Arab Emirates}}
{{IATA members|mideast}}
{{Arab Air Carriers Organization}}
}}

[[Category:Airlines established in 2003]]
[[Category:Airlines of the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Arab Air Carriers Organization members]]
[[Category:IATA members]]
[[Category:Government-owned airlines]]

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[[fa:هواپیمایی اتحاد]]
[[fr:Etihad Airways]]
[[ko:에티하드 항공]]
[[id:Etihad Airways]]
[[it:Etihad Airways]]
[[he:איתיחאד איירווייז]]
[[ml:ഇത്തിഹാദ് എയര്‍വേയ്സ്]]
[[nl:Etihad Airways]]
[[ja:エティハド航空]]
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[[wuu:阿联酋联合航空]]
[[zh:阿提哈德航空]]

Revision as of 08:56, 30 August 2009

Etihad Airways
الإتحاد للطيران
File:Etihad Logo.jpg
IATA ICAO Callsign
EY ETD ETIHAD
Founded2003
HubsAbu Dhabi International Airport
Frequent-flyer programEtihad Guest
AllianceArabesk Airline Alliance
Fleet size46 (+110 orders)
Destinations56 incl.cargo destinations
HeadquartersAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Key peopleH.E. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Chairman),
James Hogan (CEO)
Websitehttp://www.etihadairways.com

Established in 2003, Etihad Airways (Arabic: الإتحاد, ʼal-ʻitiħād) is the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad is based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Etihad is the Arabic abbreviation for الإمارات العربية المتحدة - United Arab Emirates. It operates services to the Middle East, Europe, Indian subcontinent, North America, Far East, Africa,Central Asia, and Oceania. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport.[1]

In 2008, it carried more than six million passengers, compared with 340,000 in its first full year of operations in 2004.

History

Etihad Airways Airbus A340-500 taking off at London Heathrow Airport
Etihad Airways Airbus A340-300

Etihad Airways was established as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by a royal decree issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It started with an initial paid-up capital of AED500 million. Services were launched with a ceremonial flight to Al Ain on November 5, 2003. On November 12, 2003, Etihad started commercial operations with the launch of services to Beirut. In the months that followed, almost one new route was added per month. In the same month, Etihad set up its subsidiary, Etihad Holidays.

In June 2004 the airline flew the first direct flight from the UAE to Geneva followed by Brussels and Toronto in October 2005.

In June 2004, the airline made a US$8-billion order for new aircraft in 2004, which included five Boeing 777-300ERs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four A380-800s.

By June 2006, the airline had grown to 30 destinations in 30 months. The airline hopes to achieve a target of over 70 destinations by 2010.

In 2008 Etihad carried more than 6 million passengers, compared to 4.6 million in 2007, and flew to over 50 destinations.

Performance

The airline has not made a profit since its inception, but expects to break-even in 2010. Growth has never fallen below 40% a year. In its first 4 years, it doubled in size every 6 months, and has every year since.[2]

In the financial year 2008, Etihad carried 6 million passengers and 330,000 tonnes of cargo. International Air Transport Association (IATA) statistics indicate that in 2007 Etihad ranked among the top-ten airlines in the world in terms of growth since its inception in 2003.

Cargo

File:Etihad Crystal Cargo Logo.png

Etihad Crystal Cargo is Etihad's cargo division, operating two A300-600F cargo aircraft and one MD-11 cargo aircraft . It started operations in September 2004.

Etihad Crystal Cargo is expected to double its turnover of AED361.50 million (US$98.5 million) in 2005 to over AED734 million (US$200 million) in 2006. Crystal handled 115,000 tonnes of cargo in 2005, about 50 per cent of the cargo uplifted from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad’s new facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport will be equipped to handle more than 500,000 tonnes annually. New aircraft, particularly the Airbus A330-200F and Boeing 777-F, will play a role in cargo expansion. Etihad has reached an agreement with World Airways to provide additional uplift.

Destinations

Boeing 777-300ER at Brisbane Airport, Australia.
Airbus A340-500 taking off from London Heathrow Airport
Main article: Etihad Airways destinations

As of August 2009 Etihad Airways serves 54 destinations[3] and Etihad Crystal Cargo serves 10 destinations in 38 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

New destinations starting in 2009 (Updated 5-Aug)
Destination Frequency
(per week) 		Aircraft Commencing Notes References
Chicago, USA 3 A340-500 2 September 6 weekly from 1 November, daily from January 2010 [4]
Cape Town, South Africa Daily A330-200 30 September [5]
Hyderabad, India 4 A320-200 November Daily from early 2010 [6]

Codeshare agreements

Etihad has codeshare agreements with the following airlines (as of July 2009):

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Fleet

The entire fleet as of August 2009: [10] [11] [12]

Etihad Airways Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Options Purchase Rights Passengers
(Diamond/Pearl/Coral) 		Haul Entry Into Service
Airbus A319-100 2 – – – 104 (0/20/84) Asia, Europe In Service
Airbus A320-200 10 20 5 15 140 (0/20/120) Africa, Asia, Europe In Service
Airbus A330-200 16 – – – 200 (10/26/164)
216 (12/24/180)
262 (0/22/240) 		Africa, Asia, Europe In Service
Airbus A330-300 – 5 – – TBD TBD Late 2009
Airbus A340-500 4 – – – 240 (12/28/200) Europe, North America, Oceania In Service
Airbus A340-600 6 2 – – 286 (12/30/244) Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania In service
Airbus A350-1000 – 25 10 15 TBD TBD 2017
Airbus A380-800 – 10 5 5 TBD TBD 2012
Boeing 777-300ER 5 10 10 5 378 (0/28/350) Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania In Service
Boeing 787-9 – 35 25 10 TBD TBD 2014
Total 43 107 55 50


Etihad Crystal Cargo Fleet
Aircraft Total Orders Capacity
Airbus A300-600RF 3 – 97,000 lbs
Airbus A330-200F – 3 152,100 lbs
Total 3 3

Cabin

Diamond Zone

Etihad Airbus A330-300 taxing to the runway at Frankfurt Airport

First Class is known as the Diamond Zone[13]. The Diamond first class Suites feature seats that rotate 180 degress creating a setting for a business meeting or dinner and recline into 6' 8" flat beds. each Diamond Suite has a privacy shell that ensures maximum privacy and direct access to the aisles. within this space there are a range of facilities, including a coatroom, a mini-bar , a fold-and-swivel meal table, an integrated personal mirror, a magazine rack, a reading light and a desk lamp. each Diamond seat comes with pneumatic lumbar support, a six-way movement headrest and a built-in massage facility.

Each Diamond Suite features 23" personal LCD screens with 350hrs of entertainment with AVOD. Diamond Suites also feature Plug-and-Play feature to view own videos while the Audio player lets create own music play lists. Also there are power access, 2 USB Ports and an RCA Socket for Laptop power. Some aircraft have in-flight telephony.

The Diamond First Class Zone will be changed throughout the long-haul fleet with new suites and changed toilets. Pearl Business Class will have adjustments to its seats (wider armrests, bigger tv screens, closing up the TV to the seat, and bigger dining tables).

Pearl Zone

Etihad Airways Airbus A330-200 (A6-EYB) landing at London Heathrow Airport

Business Class is known as the Pearl Zone[14]. The Pearl business class seats recline to 180 degrees into a fully flat 6' 1" Business Bed. It has an 88" pitch and direct access to the aisle for plenty space and privacy. Each self-contained seat is eqiupped with individual lighting and a reading light. There is also a build-in massage facility.

Each Pearl Business seat features 15" personal LCD screens which offers 350hrs of entertainment with AVOD. They also have Plug-and-Play feature to let passengers view their own Videos while the Audio Player lets create their own music playlists.

Some aircraft also have in-flight telephony. each Pearl Business seat has power access, USB Ports and an RCA Socket for Laptop connection

Coral Zone

Economy Class is known as the Coral Zone[15]. The Coral economy class seats feature lumbar support, headrests and foot rests and up to 33 inch seat pitch. Each Coral Economy seat features 10.4" personal LCD screens and has 350hrs of entertainment with AVOD while the Audio player lets passengers create their own music playlists. Also featured are Laptop power outlets, USB Ports and RJ 45 sockets.

All three classes feature Mood Lighting on the Airbus A330-200, Airbus A340-500/600 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Airbus A330-200 taxiing for takeoff at Manchester Airport, England

In-flight entertainment

Etihad uses the Thales TopSeries i5000 [16] in-flight entertainment system with AVOD (audio-video on demand) system on its new long-range aircraft and on some of its new A320-200 aircraft. They are upgrading the system to a new style called E-Box. Newer additions to the fleet, as well as some older planes, feature a Plug-And-Play system, which works on USB technology, that allow passengers to play their own audio, video and picture media. Some aircraft have in-flight telephony.

Etihad Guest

Etihad Guest is the airline's frequent flyer program, launched August 30, 2006. It features a discount web shop for loyalty program members.

Etihad is not part of any airline alliance, but has a partnership agreement with Qantas, Brussels Airlines, Oman Air and Jet Airways.

Company data and management structure

Airbus A340-500

In the financial year 2008, Etihad carried 6 million passengers and 330,000 tonnes of cargo[17]. Etihad has 6,300 members of staff which includes around 3,000 cabin crew and 600 pilots.

Board of directors

Etihad is governed by a board of directors chaired by HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan being the vice chairman and operates in terms of its founding legislation and the Article of Association of the Company. The Board consists of seven independent non-executive members and has two sub-committees, being an Executive Committee and an Audit Committee, each with its own charter and chairman.

Management team

The airline is led by James Hogan (formerly CEO of Gulf Air) who was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in October 2006.

Corporate sponsorship

  • Etihad is a sponsor of UAE sports clubs, including the Abu Dhabi Rugby Union Football Club, the Abu Dhabi International Sailing School and the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC), as well as the Al-Jazira Club.
  • For the 2007 season, Etihad was one of the title sponsors for the Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team. Because the team was purchased by the chairman of another airline (Vijay Mallya, of Kingfisher Airlines), Etihad switched to Scuderia Ferrari from 2008 onwards.
Etihad's logo on the rear wing of a Ferrari F1 car
File:Etihad Stadium logo-01.JPG
Etihad Stadium Logo

Awards

Etihad Airways has received over 30 awards since its inauguration in 2003. It has a four star rating by Skytrax.

Incidents and Accidents

F-WWCJ, 15 November 2007

Etihad Airways has had no fatal accidents and no major accidents in revenue service.

  • On 15 November 2007 an Airbus A340-600, due to be delivered to Etihad, ran into a concrete blast fence during an engine test at the Airbus factory at Toulouse Blagnac International Airport, France. The cause was the crew not following proper test procedures raising all four engines to maximum thrust while the wheels were un-chocked. The attempt to steer away from the wall resulted in decreased braking power. Five people were injured, there were no fatalities. The aircraft was written off.[20][21]

Controversy

  • On 27 April 2007 two Australian businessmen gained international notoriety after behaving badly aboard an Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi.[22] David Andrew Evans and Jeremy Harvey David were drunk, stripping naked and offering flight attendants money for sex. The pair were detained in an Abu Dhabi prison for six weeks, telling news reporters they were treated inhumanely and were forced to live off "fermented camel meat".[23] The men were eventually convicted of sexual harassment, given suspended jail sentences, and deported from the United Arab Emirates.[24] They were also fined 1,000 Dirhams for drinking alcohol aboard an Etihad flight without a liquor permit.[25] The Australians later vowed to sue Etihad Airways.[26] The men were later dropped from the board of directors of the mining company they represented.

References

  1. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-03. p. 78.
  2. ^ Rise of the Emirates Empire CNN Money, October 1, 2005
  3. ^ Etihad Airways Route Map
  4. ^ http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/Etihad/ae/en/aboutetihad/mediacenter/newslisting/newsdetails/Pages/EtihadAmericancodeshare.aspx?fromNewsListing=true
  5. ^ http://www.ameinfo.com/204518.html
  6. ^ http://www.arabianbusiness.com/563952-etihad-announces-new-indian-route-to-hyderabad
  7. ^ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-and-Etihad-prnews-1011852478.html?x=0&.v=1
  8. ^ Gulfnews: Etihad in code-share deal with Jet Airways
  9. ^ http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=302734&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
  10. ^ Our Fleet
  11. ^ http://www.etihadmediacentre.com/assets/89327434/files/Corporate_Facts_and_figures-English.pdf
  12. ^ Fleet Information - Crystal Cargo
  13. ^ Diamond First Class
  14. ^ Pearl Business Class
  15. ^ Coral Economy Class
  16. ^ Etihad Airways selects the Thales Inflight Entertainment System for its entire fleet
  17. ^ "ITCA Dubai Market Information". ITCA Dubai. n/a. Retrieved 2007-09-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "Etihad Airways to sponsor Manchester City". Manchester City F.C. 2009-05-24. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  19. ^ Etihad Airways opens dedicated aircraft line maintenance facility in Lahore Pakistan
  20. ^ "Violation of test procedures led to Toulouse A340-600 crash". Flight Global. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
  21. ^ "Accident survenu le 15 novembre 2007 sur l'aérodrome de Toulouse Blagnac à l'Airbus A340-600 numéro de série 856" (PDF) (in French). Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
  22. ^ Wainwright, Robert (2007-06-09). "First-class fracas, but facts remain in a sky-high fog". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2007-06-09.
  23. ^ Haynes, Rhys (2007-05-29). "Aussie 'held in stifling cell, fed camel meat'". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  24. ^ Carter, Paul (2007-06-05). "Deported Aussies being flown home". news.com.au. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  25. ^ "Men detained in UAE consider legal action". The Age. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  26. ^ Wainwright, Robert (2007-06-06). "Deported businessmen set to sue airline". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
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