Etihad Airways has unveiled plans to introduce an upgraded standard of luxury on shorter flights with its Airbus A321LR aircraft.

Set to launch this August, the UAE flag carrier will bring its signature first-class experience to single-aisle aircraft for the first time, featuring just two exclusive "First Suites" with sliding doors, lie-flat beds and a range of premium amenities typically reserved for long-haul wide-body aircraft.

"The A321LR is an amazing aircraft which proves our commitment to luxury, customer experience, and connectivity," says Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. "With our new First Suites, 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct-aisle access, and upgraded Economy, we've taken the luxury experience which we are famed for on our widebody fleet and adapted it to offer guests the same experience in a single-aisle aircraft – all while keeping them seamlessly connected with superfast, streaming wifi throughout the journey."

The aircraft's business cabin will feature 14 forward-facing seats in a herringbone layout, each with direct aisle access and converting to 78-inch fully-flat beds. Each seat includes a 17.3-inch 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and wireless charging.

Economy class passengers will benefit from some of the widest seats in the industry at 18.4 inches, with up to 5 inches of recline and 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens at every seat. The aircraft will be equipped with Viasat's advanced wifi system capable of speeds up to 1 Gbps, available from gate-to-gate where permitted.

The premium experience extends beyond the aircraft itself, with Etihad expanding its ground services for First class passengers. This includes a 24/7 personalised Etihad Concierge service, chauffeur transfers to and from the airport, dedicated check-in, and escort services.

"First isn't just a seat - it's an experience that starts the moment you choose to fly with us," adds Neves. "We're bringing First to more destinations and elevating it at every touchpoint, combining the elegance of champagne and caviar with the convenience of modern luxury."

The introduction of the A321LR is a key component of Etihad's "Journey 2030" growth plan, which aims to double the airline's fleet size and triple passenger numbers. Neves described it as "a transformational moment for Etihad as we accelerate toward our Journey 2030 vision: doubling our fleet size, tripling our passenger numbers, and opening 16 new destinations in 2025 alone."

Ten A321LR aircraft will join the Etihad fleet this year, with the first entering service on August 1. The aircraft will operate from Abu Dhabi to destinations including Athens, Bangkok, Copenhagen, Milan, Paris and Zurich, among others.