Aircraft with high-speed internet to debut in Kol-Abu Dhabi sector
"The international flying experience will change from Sept 26 when we service the Kolkata-Abu Dhabi sector with a new A321LR aircraft instead of the A320 now,"said Etihad chief revenue and commercial officer, Arik De. The brand new narrow-body Airbus A321LR will offer first-class suites, lie-flat business seats, and an economy cabin with 4K touchscreens and high-speed WiFi.
"The WiFi facility will enable flyers to not only work online on their laptops but also view or stream their content from OTT accounts," said De, who will take delivery of the first of 40 A321LR aircraft in two weeks.
All flyers can access the free chat feature on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and WeChat. Web-based calls and viewing content online is complementary for first-class passengers but fee-based for others.
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There is a regulatory issue: Indian govt policy on satellite coverage needs to be clarified before the airline can offer internet services on board flights in Indian airspace.
The Etihad announcement comes days before rival carrier Emirates Airlines is set to introduce premium economy on four of its 11 flights between Kolkata and Dubai from July 18.
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Etihad has twice daily flights on Friday and Sunday and a daily flight on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday between Kolkata and Abu Dhabi. Though it does not have a service on Tuesday, sister airline Air Arabia operates on Tuesday.
In the absence of direct flights to Europe or the US, Etihad, Emirates, and Qatar offer connections to the West via Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha.
While aviation analysts argued that the lack of business class travellers and low yields have discouraged Indian, European, and American carriers from starting direct flights, Etihad is confident of filling up its premium seats.
"There are many successful people from Kolkata settled in the US or Europe who want to ensure that their parents travel in comfort," Etihad VP (global sales & distribution) Javier Alija said, adding that around half of the business class passengers were leisure travellers.
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