Etihad upgrades its Melbourne-Abu Dhabi service this month with the latest luxury cabins aboard its latest Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
Previously operating the old version of the Boeing 787-9 on the route, the newer aircraft boosts capacity across cabins, increasing total seats per flight from 290 to 303. Business Class expands from 26 to 32, while Economy grows from 262 to 271 seats.
The latest Boeing 787-9 fleet features:
- Business Class: 32 enclosed suites with sliding doors, featuring Etihad’s customised Collins Elements seat (introduced by Etihad as a world-first on the Boeing 787) with increased height for enhanced privacy. Arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, each suite offers direct aisle access, 21” wide seats, fully-flat 78” beds, multiple charging options including universal AC, USB-A, USB-C and wireless charging, and generous personal storage.
- Economy Class: 271 next-generation slimline (including 36 Economy Space) seats, in a 3-3-3 layout, lighter in weight for improved fuel efficiency, with a refined, space-enhancing design including slimmer armrests. Seats offer 17” width, 31” pitch (35” fin Economy Space), 5” recline, and 13.3” 4K UHD touchscreens with universal AC and USB charging.
- Technology: The latest in inflight entertainment technology from Safran including Rave Ultra 4K monitors, Bluetooth headphone pairing and the option to pair personal phones and tablets to the screen and use as a remote.
- Connectivity: New solutions from Viasat using Ka-band technology with high-speed Wi-Fi with streaming capabilities as well as Live TV, including news and sport channels.
Etihad now operates daily Boeing 787-9 services from Melbourne, alongside 10 weekly Airbus A350-1000 services from Sydney, including double-daily flights on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. All Etihad services operating to and from Australia now feature the airline’s latest generation cabins. Etihad also becomes the only gulf carrier to offer fully enclosed doored premium cabins on all Australia flights.
In December last year, Etihad transitioned to an all A350-1000 operation on its Sydney-Abu Dhabi route, accelerating the schedule by two months in response to strong demand. The introduction of the newest Boeing 787-9 to Melbourne further reinforces Etihad’s commitment to delivering a premium travel experience for Australian guests.
Via Abu Dhabi, travellers from Melbourne can connect to a growing global network spanning the Middle East, Europe and beyond, with over 100 destinations expected to be served by the end of 2026, including a wave of new routes announced across 2025 and 2026.
