Etihad Removes Seatback TVs from many aircraft

Etihad Airways has been in cost-saving mode, as the airline has lost about $ 5 billion over the past three years. To reduce costs, they have drawn funding from the airlines they had invested in (airberlin, Alitalia, Jet Airways, etc.), but they have also tried to cut costs and increase revenue from their own product.

For example, they have started selling extra legroom in economics, have started selling food and drink in economics and more.

The airline has now announced the next step on the journey. I guess they take notes from American when it comes to what they do with their built-in product.

Let's look at the details of these changes:

Etihad eliminate setback TV on the A320s / A321[ads1]s

Between now and August, Etihad will transform the economy cabinets of 23 of its Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft (from now on the total of 32 of these planes).

As part of this retrofitting program, they will install new slimline seats from UK-based Acro, and these new Etihad sites will not include personal television.

Instead, Etihad will allow passengers to stream wireless entertainment to their smartphones and tablets. They will offer more than 300 hours of free entertainment through the Panasonic eXW system. To see a wider range of content, guests can download the E-BOX STREAM app before traveling.

Etihad says they will not remove television from any of their large body plans, so these changes will only occur on air carrier flights within five hours of Abu Dhabi.

Etihad is not surprising to market this as an "improvement." They describe these as "updated modern cabins" with "industry-leading seats".

Etihad hasn t manage what the new seat chair will be, or how many more seats they will be able to install as a result of these changes.

They say the seats will "boost their knees and are cleverly designed around guests' digital devices with fast-charging USB points and an adjustable phone and tabletop holder."

Personally, I think it's safe to say they want to increase the seating

Etihad also introduces a "redesigned and enhanced" economy serving.

Etihad also introduces a "redesigned and enhanced" economy serving.

Since there is no mention of wifi being added, I guess it doesn't happen.

concept.

Here is what changes to economy catering:

• The main goal of the free meal is a larger bistro style meal, which is "higher in quality, focusing on fresh seasonal ingredients and more targeted choices"
• It The new cutlery will be 85% lighter, to reduce flying weight and fuel combustion.
• On flights of over three hours, dessert will be served separately with coffee and tea service after meal, and reduce the mess on the tray During the main meal (on shorter flights it will still be served with the main meal)

Etihad has offered a purchase board menu for quite some time, but extends this further. Their "Sweet or Salt" menu will be significantly expanded and will also include more opportunities for children.

What Etihad's CEO says

Etihad CEO Tony Douglas had the following to say about these changes:

"Etihad has always been a challenging brand and shaped the future of travel while the market is changing. We bring management and innovation for economy travel that we have long established in our award-winning Business, First and The Residence cabins.

As part of our "Choose Well" promise, we give our guests greater control over their travel experiences, through digital transformation, improved choices and redesigned cabins and products.

As a leading full-service airline, Etihad adapts to meet the specific needs and requirements of all travelers, and adds more of what they really want to enjoy. also ensures that we continue to deliver a superior, commercial and sustainable service offering. "

Bottom line

Mens Etihad sp Inside seating changes as positive, I think it is nicely obvious that this is a cost-saving initiative. TVs increase fuel combustion due to their weight, not to mention that they are expensive to install. Etihad instead installs slim seats, which allows them to fit multiple rows in the same room.

I strongly disagree with airlines who think streaming entertainment replaces setback entertainment. This is especially true when you consider:

• You need to download Etihad App to get all the possibilities, and many people do not have data when traveling internationally
• I would guess that Etihad transports many people who do not have devices that are in able to stream I hate to say it, but many of them are workers who are "imported" to the UAE, and Etihad knows they have no control over the airline they fly, so I'm not sure they care

As far as catering changes, we have to wait and see how important they are. They will continue to have free meals, although I imagine that whatever they do, they will save money, which makes me skeptical.

Are you surprised to see these changes from Etihad?