Etihad Airways has unveiled a four-seat First Class cabin for its incoming Airbus A330-900s, although the new product has more in common with the latest generation of Business Class suites than with the airline’s First Apartments aboard the Airbus A380.
The cabin uses an enlarged version of the Thompson Aero Seating Vantage XL platform, the same underlying product fitted in Business Class on the A330neo. Etihad takes advantage of the additional space available at the front of the cabin to offer four larger suites, which it will market and service as First Class.
Each First suite has a closing door, a 32-inch entertainment screen, wireless charging and dedicated storage. There is also enough space for a companion to join the passenger for dining or conversation.
Etihad describes another feature as a “personal powder station,” a dedicated area stocked with amenities that passengers can use during the flight and take with them afterwards.
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First Class follows A321LR approach
The concept follows a similar approach already adopted by Etihad on the Airbus A321LR. That aircraft has two First suites ahead of its Business cabin, despite the limited space available on a single-aisle aircraft.
The strategy differs from the much larger First Class products traditionally associated with Etihad. Its Airbus A380s retain First Apartments, as well as The Residence, a three-room accommodation at the front of the upper deck.
Etihad nevertheless says it plans to increase the number of First Class seats across its aircraft over the next five years. Rather than restrict First to long-haul flagship aircraft, the airline is extending the designation to smaller premium suites on aircraft intended for regional and medium-haul markets.
A330neo will seat 280 passengers
Etihad’s A330-900 will have 280 seats in three classes: four in First, 24 in Business and 252 in Economy.
Business will comprise 24 forward-facing Vantage XL suites with direct aisle access and sliding doors. The seats convert into fully flat beds and have 17.3-inch entertainment screens, wireless and wired charging, a large table and individual storage.
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September 14, 2026
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Economy will have 252 seats equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens and personal charging. Of those, 32 will be sold as Extra Legroom seats with four additional inches of pitch.
The new interiors form part of a cabin design Etihad calls Beyond Borders, which will also appear on other aircraft and in the airline’s lounges. The carrier has allocated US$1 billion to a retrofit program as part of a broader US$20 billion investment that also covers new aircraft and passenger products.
15 A330-900s arrive from 2027
Etihad plans to introduce its first A330-900 in September 2027 and add 15 aircraft over five years. The airline expects to use them primarily on regional and medium-haul routes across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
The A330neo order was announced in November 2025 as part of a larger Airbus commitment that also included A350-1000s and A350F freighters. At the time, Etihad had already said the A330-900s would feature First, Business and Economy cabins, but had not revealed the new First Class product.
