UAE: Etihad Airways has announced that it will increase capacity between Abu Dhabi and Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, by upgrading the current daily Airbus A321 service to a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from October 27.
The step-up from narrow-body to wide-body aircraft followed an announcement by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the immediate removal of a travel ban to Lebanon for UAE citizens.
The lifting of the ban, which was imposed in February 2016, is expected to spur a significant increase in demand for travel between the two capitals.
Etihad will operate the upgraded flights with two-class Boeing 787-9s, the newest aircraft type in the airline’s fleet.
These jets are configured to seat 299 passengers in a mix of 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats. The 787s will also provide a significant increase in cargo capacity.