Etihad Airways recently celebrated the inaugural commercial flight of its new Airbus A350-1000 from Abu Dhabi International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport on June 30. Accommodating 371 passengers, the plane comprises one of five new A350s to join Etihad Airways’ fleet this year.

“We are proud to bring the Airbus A350 into service in the US. This is an incredible aircraft with highly efficient fuel consumption and CO2 savings, which enables us to support our goals to reduce carbon emissions and deliver an unmatched flight experience for our guests,” said Martin Drew, senior vice president, global sales and cargo, Etihad Airways. “By introducing the A350, we have almost doubled premium capacity on our New York and Chicago routes to 44 seats in the Business cabin, which provides a luxurious experience comparable to First Class on other international airlines.”

Sustainable 50 is a partnership between Etihad, Airbus and Rolls Royce, formed in 2021. The program will make use of Etihad’s A350s as flying testbeds for new procedures, initiatives and technologies to reduce carbon emissions. The program serves as an extension of Etihad’s similar Greenliner program for the Boeing 787 aircraft type.

© Etihad Airways

The new A350 is one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world, burning 25 percent less fuel and producing less carbon emissions than previous generation twin-aisle aircraft. Moving forward, Etihad Airways continues to work toward the promotion and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel, weight and waste management and the development of data-driven analysis.

Following the inaugural flight, all Etihad flights servicing New York and Chicago O’Hare International Airport will be operated by the A350. Additionally, Etihad passengers traveling to the United States have access to Etihad’s U.S. pre-clearance, the only United States Customs and Border Protection facility in the Middle East, allowing passengers to process all immigration, customs and agricultural inspections in Abu Dhabi before boarding the flight, avoiding long lines altogether.

The A350 features a new cabin interior inspired by Abu Dhabi, with a more efficient design. Signature lighting draws inspiration from the shadows cast by Abu Dhabi’s palm trees, emulating natural ambient light and providing the perfect environment for sleeping. In addition to lighting, the new aircraft offers the quietest cabin experience for a wide-body aircraft.

© Etihad Airways

The aircraft also features the new dark-mode interface on the E-BOX in-flight entertainment system to reduce light pollution and sleep disruptions. The business class includes 44 Business Studios with sliding doors for added privacy, a seat that converts into a fully flat bed, an 18.5-inch television screen and a carefully curated á la carte menu.

Do you plan to fly Etihad Airways’ newest aircraft this year? What feature of the new plane are you most excited to experience? How important is an airline’s sustainability efforts when choosing which airline to fly? Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.