Mumbai: While Etihad Airways may have only recently cleared the last hurdle to its stake acquisition in Jet Airways, it has already stepped up its India presence. Its aggressive sales pitch includes a new ad campaign around its first-class product, sponsorship of an IPL team and the launch of Boeing 787 flights to Mumbai by the end of 2014 or early-2015. Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has cleared the deal with Jet by clarifying that it does not need to make an open offer to Jet's shareholders.
Etihad has recently launched three-room first-class cabins (first by any airline) and suites on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787. The A380 aircraft will fly to London and Boeing 787 to Washington DC, Dusseldorf and Mumbai.
Etihad's premium products are crucial to the Abu Dhabi-based airline's global ambitions, including a challenge to rival Emirates. Media reports have billed Etihad's premium push as a "luxury arms race" between the two West Asian airlines. Emirates already offers first-class suites, on-board shower and lounge on its A380 planes.
Currently, Etihad flies wide-body aircraft only on the Mumbai and Delhi routes. On the Mumbai route, Etihad flies the Airbus A340, which has 12 first-class seats - Etihad's only such route to India.
12/05/14 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard
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Etihad has recently launched three-room first-class cabins (first by any airline) and suites on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787. The A380 aircraft will fly to London and Boeing 787 to Washington DC, Dusseldorf and Mumbai.
Etihad's premium products are crucial to the Abu Dhabi-based airline's global ambitions, including a challenge to rival Emirates. Media reports have billed Etihad's premium push as a "luxury arms race" between the two West Asian airlines. Emirates already offers first-class suites, on-board shower and lounge on its A380 planes.
Currently, Etihad flies wide-body aircraft only on the Mumbai and Delhi routes. On the Mumbai route, Etihad flies the Airbus A340, which has 12 first-class seats - Etihad's only such route to India.
12/05/14 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard
