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Etihad’s New A321LR Brings Lie-Flat Luxury to Short-Haul Flights
Etihad Airways is seriously upping the game for short and medium-haul travel with the launch of its new Airbus A321LR. Unveiled yesterday at Arabian Travel Market, the aircraft features full First Suites, lie-flat Business Class seats, and upgraded Economy, all packed into a single-aisle plane.
The A321LR will fly from 1st August 2025 and is a major part of Etihad’s “Journey 2030” plan to double its fleet and triple passenger numbers. Destinations will include Athens, Zurich, Bangkok, Paris, Riyadh, and more.
At the front, there are just two ultra-private First Suites with sliding doors, buddy seats, wireless charging, and huge 20” 4K screens. Business Class has 14 fully flat seats, all with direct aisle access in a herringbone layout, while Economy offers wide 18.4” seats and big screens, plus high-speed Wi-Fi for streaming, gaming, and browsing.
This is very similar to ITA on their A321’s. You can read Eugene’s review [LINK HERE].
But Etihad’s upgrades go beyond the cabin. First passengers will soon get a luxury door-to-door service with private chauffeurs, concierge support, and even home check-in at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport.
CEO Antonoaldo Neves said: “We’ve taken the luxury experience we’re known for on our widebody fleet and adapted it for a narrowbody aircraft, all while keeping guests connected with superfast Wi-Fi.”
Etihad is also planning to retrofit its 777s and 787s, expand First Class across more routes, and introduce Premium Economy, proving they’re serious about offering a premium experience at every level. It will be exciting to see further developments from this Etihad whilst big changes are happening across Middle Eastern airlines.
Saudia Opens New Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 4
Saudia has just opened a brand-new lounge at Heathrow Terminal 4, giving First, Business, and SkyTeam elite passengers a fresh option before they fly.
The lounge is located upstairs in what used to be the old SkyTeam lounge, with Plaza Premium handling the design, fit-out, and day-to-day operations. At 850 square metres and space for 174 guests, it’s a big, airy spot to relax before boarding.
Inside, you’ll find a big international buffet, a VIP dining area with à la carte service, and plenty of touches of Saudi hospitality, like traditional coffee, dates, and a partnership with The London Tea Exchange for a special tea room (but no alcohol, as Saudia is a dry airline). There are also showers with Urban Apothecary products, quiet zones, prayer rooms, proper workspaces, and fast Wi-Fi throughout.
Anyone flying SkyTeam carriers like Air France, KLM, and China Eastern from Terminal 4 in Business Class or with SkyTeam status can also use the lounge.
The lounge is open daily from 7:00am to 10:15pm, covering all of Saudia’s flights from London to Jeddah and Riyadh.
It’s another sign that while Riyadh Air is getting a lot of attention, Saudia is also busy investing heavily in its passenger experience, and this new lounge is a strong addition for SkyTeam flyers at Heathrow.
Marriott Buys citizenM for $355 Million
Marriott International has announced it’s buying citizenM, the cool, tech-savvy hotel brand, for $355 million. The deal adds citizenM’s 36 hotels, with 8,500 rooms across top cities like London, Paris, New York, and Rome, to Marriott’s growing portfolio. Three more hotels are already on the way.
citizenM, which started at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in 2008, made a name for itself with small but smart rooms, funky communal spaces, great tech, and rooftop bars. It appealed to value-conscious travellers looking for style without the hefty price tag.
Marriott isn’t buying the hotels themselves, just the brand and intellectual property. The current owners will keep running the properties under new long-term franchise agreements, while Marriott pockets $30 million a year in franchise fees and looks to expand citizenM even further.
This makes citizenM Marriott’s 37th brand, as big hotel groups continue snapping up smaller lifestyle chains to attract younger, more design-focused travellers.
There’s no word yet on exactly how citizenM will fit into the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme, but regulars will hope it’s done better than past integrations.
If all goes smoothly, Marriott expects this deal to help its overall room count grow by about 5% in 2025.
