An Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has touched down in Johannesburg after its inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways flight EY604 took off from Abu Dhabi at 10:15 am and arrived on schedule at 4:45pm local time. The return flight EY603 departed Johannesburg at 7:50pm local time November 1, touching down in Abu Dhabi on schedule at 6:10am local time November 2.
Operating daily on the route, the two-class B787-9 Dreamliner offers Etihad Airways’ Business and Economy Class cabins. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways CEO, said the decision to upgrade to the Dreamliner aircraft on the Johannesburg route was to meet the needs of growing numbers of business and leisure passengers traveling to and from South Africa.
All Etihad Airways’ B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft have 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats.
The Business Studios all offer direct aisle access, a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches long, and an increase of 20 percent in personal space. Upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather, the Business Studio is equipped with an in-seat massage and pneumatic cushion control system which enables guests to adjust the firmness and comfort of their seat. Each Business Studio has an 18-inch personal touch-screen TV with noise-cancelling headsets.
The 271 Economy Smart Seats provide a “fixed wing” headrest on each seat, adjustable lumbar support, a seat width of approximately 19 inches, and an 11.1-inch personal TV monitor.
In addition to full mobile and Wi-Fi service with USB and power points at every seat, the Dreamliner fleet has more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, including seven live TV channels, improved gaming and high definition screens across all cabins.
Other onboard services include Flying Nannies who provide assistance to families onboard. Food and Beverage Managers guide guests in Business Class through the a la carte and “dine anytime” options, and provide recommendations on the best food and wine pairing.
Etihad Airways offers travelers from Africa U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Abu Dhabi International Airport. This facility, exclusive to Etihad Airways in the Gulf region, allows guests to complete immigration, customs and security clearance procedures for the United States while in transit at Abu Dhabi – avoiding lengthy queues upon arrival at U.S. airports.
Johannesburg is the ninth city to be served by Etihad Airways’ B787-9 Dreamliner. The aircraft is also deployed to Brisbane, Düsseldorf, Perth, Riyadh, Shanghai, Singapore, Washington DC and Zurich.Flight schedule for Abu Dhabi – Johannesburg:
| Flight No. | Origin | Departs | Destination | Arrives | Frequency |
| EY604 | Abu Dhabi | 10:15 a.m. | Johannesburg | 4:45 p.m. | Daily |
| EY603 | Johannesburg | 7:50 p.m. | Abu Dhabi | 6:10 a.m. (+1) | Daily |
All times local
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