Hamburg: Etihad Airways unveiled a new livery design, which will be introduced across its fleet, on Thursday.
The design was revealed as Etihad rolled out the first of its ten A380s at the Airbus Firkenwerder facility in Hamburg, Germany.
Inspired by Abu Dhabi’s desert landscape and modern architecture, the redesign intends to depict Etihad as “the airline of a progressive and innovative cultural hub, which is still firmly rooted in its history”.
Etihad’s entire fleet of over 100 aircraft, as well as those yet to be delivered, will be painted with the new design over the next three years. The pattern will be continued throughout new cabin interiors of Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 aircraft.
James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways said: “Only a few months ago Etihad Airways unveiled the new cabin interiors for our A380 aircraft and we are now proud to show the world how this aircraft will look on the outside.
“The striking new livery also continues our commitment to breaking from convention and doing things differently. This is a real divergence from the norms of traditional airline livery design and will stand out in the sky and at every airport we fly to.”
Peter Knapp, Global Creative Officer of Landor Associates, the brand consultant firm which assisted Etihad Airways with the redesign said: “Etihad Airways is undoubtedly a leading airline on the international stage and this new livery is a real step change in the industry. I believe there will be nothing like it on any apron in the world.
“It tells the remarkable story of this region and of Abu Dhabi’s past, present and future, providing a narrative for an innovative airline brand. We used the ambient geometry present in the architecture and culture of the emirate and reinterpreted it with a sense of Arabian modernism which has become synonymous with Etihad and Abu Dhabi itself.”
In total the airline will take delivery of seven wide-bodied aircraft in 2015 — four A380s and three Boeing 787-9s — and seven narrow-bodied aircraft — one A320 and six A321s.
Etihad’s first Airbus A380 will operate on flights between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow from December 27. Two subsequent A380 deliveries in early 2015 will also service the route, making it a triple daily A380 operation.
Later in 2015, A380s will operate to Sydney and New York as Etihad receives its fourth and fifth aircraft.
Etihad is set to transform luxury air travel with The Residence suite, which features a living room, separate double bedroom and en suite shower, making it the first three-room luxury suite in the history of commercial aviation.
The Residence will be located on the forward upper deck of the A380 and can accommodate one or two guests who will also have a personal butler.
Etihad A380 will also feature new First Apartments, which are fully private suites with a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed; as well as the Business Studio and Economy Smart Seat.
