Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first three-cabin Airbus A340-600, the world’s longest commercial passenger aircraft.
The four-engine aircraft, which has an overall length of 75.3 metres and range of 14,600 kilometres, is the first of Etihad’s four A340-600s scheduled for delivery in 2007.
It is also the high gross weight model which offers a maximum takeoff weight of 380 tonnes.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “The introduction of our first A340-600 will make a significant impact to our long haul destinations like Sydney, New York and Toronto because it can carry 46 more passengers than the A340-500 which we currently use on these routes.”
The Etihad A340-600 is configured to carry 286 passengers with 12 in first class, 30 in business class and 244 in economy.
Etihad recently placed a new order with Airbus for a further four A340-600’s which are scheduled for delivery between 2008 and 2009.
The US$2.2 billion order, announced at the Paris air show, also included five A330 passenger aircraft and three A330 cargo planes.
Photo caption: Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first three-cabin Airbus A340-600 aircraft, the world’s longest commercial passenger aircraft.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi.
Currently Etihad offers flights to 44 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
