Etihad Airways will deploy its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its Abu Dhabi-Singapore route on August 1, 2015.

The launch of the new aircraft follows a upgrades to the route on June 1, which will see the introduction of a first class product and a schedule change which will provide better connections to the airline’s network via its Abu Dhabi hub.

“The new schedule timings – with evening departures in both directions – will offer guests in the UAE and Singapore more convenient travel times and improved connectivity to 35 destinations in the GCC, Middle East, Africa and Europe,” said Etihad’s president and CEO, James Hogan.

“Most importantly, froma guest experience perspective, the dimensions and unique features of the Dreamliner aircraft have enabled us to customise it with the most innovative and sophisticated cabins. This means, from August 1, travellers between Abu Dhabi and Singapore will experience levels of comfort and attention to detail not enjoyed previously by today’s air traveller or offered by our competitors on the route.”

Etihad’s innovative new B787 features eight First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Sets, all offering superior levels of comfort, entertainment and inflight connectivity. Onboard décor and lighting is inspired by modern Arabian design, complementing the ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ design persona introduced by the airline in late 2014.

First class guests will enjoy an enhanced suite experience complete with a chilled minibar, complete privacy, and central seats which can be joined to create a double bed.

Business class guests will have the space and comfort of the airline’s new Business Studios, each offering direct aisle access and a fully-flat bed of up to 80.5 inches in length.

In the Economy Class cabin, the innovative Economy Smart Seat provides enhanced comfort with a ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat.

The Abu Dhabi-Singapore service will be the fifth to be operated on the Etihad’s new Dreamliner, which has already been deployed to Washington DC and Mumbai. From June 1, 2015, the airline will launch the aircraft on services to Düsseldorf and Brisbane, with more destinations to be added as the airline continues to take delivery of more Dreamliners. www.eithad.com