Etihad Airways Debuts New 787 Dreamliner at Dubai Airshow 2023

Etihad Airways Debuts New 787 Dreamliner at Dubai Airshow 2023

By Author

Published on November 20, 2023

Etihad Airways is celebrating a significant milestone, its 20th anniversary, by unveiling a new-look Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the Dubai Airshow 2023. This remarkable development aligns with the airline's forward-looking vision and commitment to offering an exceptional in-flight experience.

A Peek at the New Dreamliner

The spotlight at this week’s Dubai Airshow is on Etihad’s latest Boeing 787 Dreamliner, an embodiment of modern aviation excellence. The new aircraft from the UAE’s national airline is not just another addition to the fleet; it's a leap into the future of air travel. Following the arrival of a new 787-10 in October, Etihad is now showcasing its latest Boeing 787-9, one of four new Dreamliners joining its fleet.

Enhanced Cabin Features

Etihad’s new Dreamliner cabin boasts significant improvements, making the airline's award-winning cabins even more luxurious. The airplane features Etihad's newest cabin interior with 32 seats in Business class and 271 seats in Economy. The Business cabin introduces a unique, customised version of Collins’ Elements seat, making Etihad the world's first airline to employ this seat design on the Boeing 787.

These new seats offer passengers ample space, comfort, and enhanced privacy with suite doors and increased suite height. Every Business seat provides direct aisle access, a fully lie-flat bed measuring 78 inches in length, a 17.3-inch 4K TV screen, and state-of-the-art amenities including Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, multiple charging outlets, and ample storage space.
In Economy, the new 787 Dreamliner offers more legroom, with 244 standard seats and 27 Economy Space seats featuring four inches of additional leg space.

Cutting-edge In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity

The aircraft is equipped with Safran's latest in-flight entertainment technology, including Rave Ultra 13.3″ 4K touch-screen displays. Passengers can connect their personal devices to the screen for a more integrated entertainment experience. Additionally, the Dreamliner features a new high-speed Wi-Fi solution from Viasat, using Ka-band technology for streaming capabilities and Live TV, including news and sports channels. Etihad Guest members enjoy complimentary conversation packages, while all passengers have the option to purchase unlimited data plans for the flight’s duration.

Expansion and Growth

This new aircraft is a cornerstone in Etihad's expansion plans. The airline has added 12 new destinations this year and is gearing up for more flights to India, Boston, and Nairobi in the coming months. Etihad has also increased operations in several regions, enhancing flight frequencies and network connections. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, remarked, “Our 20th anniversary is not just a celebration of past achievements, but a stepping stone for future growth. These new planes are instrumental in our expansion plans, aiming to connect guests to more destinations conveniently.


IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on January 3, 2026

IndiGo has outlined a cautious yet forward-looking approach as it prepares for the next phase of growth, placing strong emphasis on “operational reliability” while planning a limited set of international route additions. The airline said its immediate focus is to “stabilise operations” as it continues to strengthen capacity and network resilience.

As part of its international plans, IndiGo has announced the launch of non-stop services to Athens. This route will also mark the international debut of India’s first Airbus A321XLR, a new aircraft type expected to support the airline’s entry into fresh overseas markets as it gradually expands beyond short-haul operations.

Beyond Athens, the airline has not shared details of additional international destinations or capacity increases. IndiGo stated that it will continue to grow its international footprint while further densifying its domestic network, without outlining the pace or scale of expansion.

On the domestic front, the airline is also preparing to begin operations from Noida International Airport at Jewar, strengthening its presence in the National Capital Region once services commence.

Addressing recent operational challenges, IndiGo said it had swiftly restored normal operations following a temporary network disruption. The airline also confirmed that it is “fully collaborating and providing requested information to the regulator's committee” as part of an ongoing review by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

While IndiGo reiterated its long-term ambitions, including plans related to widebody aircraft and sustained growth, its near-term outlook remains measured. The airline said its renewed focus on stability will help drive future scale, innovation, and impact as it carefully explores new frontiers.


Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has made an impressive start, handling a total of 26,021 passengers in its first five days of operations. This includes 12,431 arrivals and 13,590 departures, showing strong demand right from day one.

Weekend traffic was particularly high, with 5,548 travellers on Saturday and 5,614 on Sunday, reflecting growing confidence among passengers. During this initial period, the airport managed 162 flight movements, 81 arrivals and 81 departures, while keeping on-time performance smooth for both airlines and ground services.

Currently, NMIA connects 13 major domestic destinations, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa (MOPA), Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangalore, Nagpur, Vadodara. These connections cover key business and leisure hubs, giving travellers more options and conveand nience in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Looking ahead, the airport plans to expand its network with additional destinations and increased flight frequencies in coordination with partner airlines. With strong early passenger response and ready infrastructure, NMIA is set to become a modern, seamless travel hub in Western India


Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Air India has strengthened its partnership with airBaltic, the flag carrier of Latvia, by entering into a new codeshare agreement, making travel between India and the Baltic region easier and more seamless for its customers. This move builds on the interline partnership established between the two carriers in June 2025.

Under the codeshare, Air India has begun adding its ‘AI’ designator code on airBaltic-operated flights between Riga and Air India’s European gateways including Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Milan Malpensa, Vienna, Zurich, and London Gatwick. This allows passengers to travel between India and Riga with a single Air India ticket, covering connecting flights under the same booking.

Additionally, Air India’s interline agreement with airBaltic allows travellers to reach Tallinn, Estonia, and Vilnius, Lithuania via select European gateways, further expanding access to the Baltic region.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said, "This expanded partnership with airBaltic reflects Air India’s commitment to providing seamless global connectivity to our customers. Latvia and the wider Baltic region are growing travel markets, and this codeshare makes the journey more convenient than ever."

Air India currently operates multiple non-stop flights connecting India with Europe:

  • Delhi: Amsterdam (7x weekly), Paris (14x weekly), Frankfurt (12x weekly), Copenhagen (4x weekly), Milan (6x weekly), Vienna (4x weekly), Zurich (4x weekly)

  • Mumbai: Frankfurt (5x weekly)

  • Amritsar & Ahmedabad: London Gatwick (3x weekly each)

Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has expanded its global alliance network to include 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements, offering passengers access to over 800 destinations worldwide.

The new codeshare flights are now available for booking through both airlines’ official channels and travel partners.

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