Both Etihad and Qatar Airways used their press conferences at the recent Arabian Travel Market to demonstrate how they are bucking any downward trends in the aviation industry.
Etihad focused on the launch of its new first-class suite – which has an 80.5-inch lie-flat bed, in-seat massager, personal mini-bar and Arabic-style sliding doors (pictured below). The first of these will be available in August on a new A340-600.
Etihad chief executive James Hogan said the new suite fitted with the airline’s desire to be the best airline in the world. ‘We aim to have the most luxurious product in the world in aviation moving forward,’ he added.
Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar Al Baker, meanwhile, said his airline is launching six more routes including Goa and Sydney and has 200 aircraft worth over $30 billion currently on order.
‘Our strategy is to keep our fleet young and to have an average age of aircraft not exceeding five years,’ he said, adding that Qatar is committed to matching any product that any other airlines produce. ‘In 90 days we can launch a comparable product if a competitor threatens to erode our market share,’ he said.
Qatar Airways’ fleet currently numbers 68 aircraft, with aircraft on order including 80 Airbus A350s and 60 Boeing 787s.
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