UAE-based carrier Etihad has introduced its two-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the daily Abu Dhabi–Seoul (ICN) service.
The 787-9 operating the route is configured with 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart seats. The change means first-class cabins are no longer offered on this sector; the Airbus A340-600 that previously served Abu Dhabi–Seoul featured eight first-class seats alongside 32 business-class seats.
“There has been a steady increase in the number of business and leisure travelers flying to South Korea from Abu Dhabi and the GCC region, and vice versa,” said Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad’s executive vice president of commercial. He noted that UAE government initiatives to strengthen trade ties have helped more Korean companies establish operations locally, supporting demand for the Abu Dhabi–Seoul service. In addition, many passengers connect through Abu Dhabi to onward destinations across Etihad’s network in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Business Studios on the 787-9 provide several premium amenities, including fully lie-flat leather seats with direct aisle access, up to 80.5 inches of bed length, in-seat massage and adjustable cushion controls. The route’s business-class offering also includes a dedicated food and beverage manager and onboard mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity to keep travelers connected throughout the flight.
Etihad’s daily schedule between Abu Dhabi and Seoul is timed as follows: flight EY876 departs Abu Dhabi at 22:15 and arrives in Seoul at 11:55 the next day; the return flight, EY873, departs Seoul at 00:55 and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 05:50.
Etihad currently operates a fleet that includes 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with additional aircraft on order to expand its long-haul capacity.