Etihad Airways has revealed a new range of sustainable soft furnishings and tableware for economy class, which will be launched in Q4 2022. The soft furnishings include a 35% larger pillow with a 200 thread-count cotton cover made locally in the UAE, and a soft blanket made from recycled plastic.

In its efforts to eliminate the use of single-use plastics (part of a commitment Etihad made in 2019, to remove 80% of single-use plastic from its operations by the end of 2022), the new economy dining experience will feature reusable tableware made from high-quality recycled plastic. The tray, serving plates and their lids are part of a closed-loop recycling system, so at the end of their lifecycle they are collected, washed, ground up, and reused to make replacement products.

Etihad is also introducing stainless-steel cutlery into the economy cabin, which as well as reducing single-use plastic items, represents an upgrade to the experience. Where possible, Etihad is also moving towards locally produced inflight items

Terry Daly, the airline’s executive director of guest experience, brand and marketing, stated, “Following extensive research and development through our eco-flights over the past few years, we’re proud to reveal the first in a series of enhancements to our inflight experience. Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t come at a compromise to the quality and thoughtfulness behind Etihad’s guest experience, and these innovative new products will further improve our offering. We look forward to rolling out this new experience across the fleet towards the latter part of the year.”