Geneva to join Zurich as Etihad Airways' fifth European Dreamliner destination

The Dreamliner flights to Geneva will complement the airline’s existing 787 Dreamliner scheduled services connecting Abu Dhabi and Zurich, becoming the fifth European city to be served by the carrier’s rapidly growing fleet of next generation aircraft, the company said.

Etihad Airways currently operates daily flights between the UAE’s capital city of Abu Dhabi and both Geneva and Zurich.

The airlines also said that the introduction of the 787 Dreamliner will also see a scheduling change for customers travelling to and from Geneva.

Etihad Airways' early morning arrival into Geneva and the revised timings will also improve connectivity to a wider network of destinations across Asia and the Indian subcontinent, the company said in its release.

Etihad Airways has a fleet of 18 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners operating from Abu Dhabi to 17 destinations worldwide – Amman, Amsterdam, Beijing, Beirut, Brisbane, Düsseldorf, Madrid, Melbourne, Nagoya, Perth, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Washington and Zurich.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “With another of Etihad Airways’ popular European destinations joining our 787 Dreamliner network, we are giving more guests the opportunity to experience our next generation aircraft.

“The Geneva services cater to business and leisure travellers in Abu Dhabi, Switzerland’s second largest city, and offer connections over our hub to and from many destinations across our global network. The Dreamliner is fast becoming our flagship long-haul aircraft and as more join the fleet, we will continue to look at upgrading existing routes offering ground-breaking cabin interiors that have set a benchmark for high service levels in the region and across the world,” said Baumgartner.

Etihad Airways’ three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners include eight First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats.

The First Suites are private living spaces featuring a Poltrona Frau leather-upholstered seat that converts to a fully flat six-foot eight-inch bed. The centre suites can be opened up to create a double bed for guests who are travelling together. A unique curved aisle offers more personal space inside each suite. The First Suite also has a 24” LCD TV monitor, a personal wardrobe and a chilled refreshments cabinet. A professional onboard Chef, exclusive to First Class, offers guests a bespoke, made-to-order dining experience with dishes prepared in-flight from a larder of fresh produce.

The Business Studios offer direct aisle access, a fully-flat bed of up to 80.5 inches in length, and an increase of 20 per cent in personal space. Upholstered in fine Poltrona Frau leather, the Business Studio is equipped with an in-seat massage and pneumatic cushion control system, which enables guests to adjust the firmness and comfort of their seat. Each Business Studio has an 18-inch personal touch-screen TV with noise-cancelling headsets. Guests can also enjoy mobile connectivity, onboard Wi-Fi and seven satellite channels of live TV.

Economy Smart Seats provide enhanced comfort with a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest, adjustable lumbar support, a seat width of approximately 19 inches and an 11.1” personal TV monitor on each seat.

The aircraft has been designed with enhancements including humidity controls while air pressure levels are set to ensure a smoother flight, the company said.

The airline’s Boeing 787 fleet is equipped with the latest in-flight personal entertainment system featuring over 750 hours of movies and programmes, as well as hundreds of music choices and a selection of games for both adults and children.

On-board décor and lighting have been inspired by contemporary Arabian design, including the spectacular dome of the newly-opened Louvre Abu Dhabi, complementing the signature ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ identity introduced by the airline during its livery relaunch in 2014.

Etihad Airways has pending deliveries of 53 Dreamliners.