Etihad brings flagship A350 with private business suites to Sydney

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Etihad Airways is set to significantly upgrade its Sydney to Abu Dhabi service with the introduction of the Airbus A350-1000. This move promises enhanced comfort, more premium seating, and innovation for the Australian route.

Starting October 1, 2025, the A350 will begin operating on select flights on the Sydney schedule, complementing the existing Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Both aircraft types on this route will offer Etihad's latest Business Suites.

A full transition of Etihad's 10 weekly Sydney services to A350 operations is slated for January 31, 2026. This will provide passengers with a next-generation travel experience on every flight. Concurrently, Melbourne will see daily service from Etihad's latest 787-9 aircraft, also equipped with Business Suites and increased premium capacity.

Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, expressed enthusiasm for the upgrade. "We are delighted to bring more premium travel options to Australia with the arrival of our A350 on this important route," he stated. "When the schedule is fully deployed early next year, we will have grown overall seat availability by ten per cent, and premium seat count by over 20 per cent."

Etihad's A350-1000 is setting new standards in air travel with its focus on innovation and comfort. Powered by highly efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the aircraft boasts 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared to older models. Its newest cabin interior features thoughtful design details throughout.

The elevated Business Class is home to 44 Business Studios, each with a sliding door providing each guest with enhanced privacy within their suite. In addition to facing forward with direct aisle access, every Business Class seat is designed for maximum comfort and converts into a fully flat bed of 79 inches in length, with ample storage for convenience. Noise-cancelling headphones and an 18.5-inch TV screen provide a cinematic experience to enjoy Etihad’s extensive inflight entertainment offering. The Business seats also feature a built-in wireless charging dock and Bluetooth headphone pairing.

Beyond Business Class, the A350 accommodates 327 Economy Smart Seats, offering an innovative recline and a 13-inch touch screen with Bluetooth headset pairing. All guests will also benefit from complimentary Wi-Fi Chat packages, with the option to upgrade to full surfing throughout the flight.