Skift Take
We’re not in the 1980s anymore. After a great push to initiate it and many trials to stabilize it, globalization has finally taken hold of the aviation industry. Turning back the calendar benefits very few and passengers will ultimately vote on Open Skies with their dollars, or euros, or dinars.
Etihad Airways has announced that its Airbus A380, featuring the multi-room Residence suite and the whole “Reimagined” experience is headed for New York, with the first flight between JFK International Airport and the airline’s Abu Dhabi home beginning December 1, 2015.
Flying Reimagined
The airline’s “Reimagined” experience introduced last year consists of a full redesign of all cabin classes, introducing a host of innovative design features and passenger experience enhancements. The airline revealed new seat designs throughout the aircraft, new amenities, new livery, and new crew uniforms last year. Etihad’s new A380 first flight took place in December of last year with entrepreneur and aviation aficionado Gino Bertuccio as the first passenger to enjoy The Residence experience.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The United States is a strategically important part of Etihad Airways’ growing global network and as a result of increased demand from our guests traveling between New York and Abu Dhabi—and onto the world, we are pleased to upgrade one of our two daily flights to an A380. At Etihad Airways, we are committed to offering unmatched luxury, comfort and convenience for our guests traveling with us across every class of service. New York marks the first US destination where we will introduce our industry-leading A380 aircraft products and experience.”
U.S. Strategic Value
To say that the U.S. is strategically important part to Etihad Airways is an understatement. With the recent disputes over Open Skies between U.S. domestic carriers and Gulf carriers, the introduction of the airline’s ultra-luxury cabin product offers passengers the option of enjoying a travel experience which no U.S. carrier has matched.
At the heart of the debate is whether all this luxury is funded by what U.S. carriers describe as subsidies from the Gulf nations where these airlines are based. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United have banded together to prepare a report which they indicate proves that Gulf carriers received over $40 billion in subsidies from their governments since 2004. Despite repeated requests from the press, the report has not yet been made public nor has it been shared with the Gulf carriers so that they can respond to the allegations.
The Gulf carriers have said
