Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

Etihad Airways is introducing the Airbus A321LR, its first single-aisle jet with true first-class suites and lie-flat business-class pods.
The A321LR features significant upgrades in all cabins, including 4K entertainment screens, advanced connectivity and enhanced comfort for medium-haul routes.
This aircraft enables Etihad to expand to new destinations that previously lacked sufficient demand for larger jets, with the inaugural flight scheduled for August 1 to Phuket, Thailand.
The jet's premium-heavy configuration offers a boutique experience, with personalized service in first class and tech-forward amenities throughout.

What to consider

First-class suites have sliding doors for privacy, but share a single lavatory with business class, which may cause wait times during peak periods.
Business-class seats lack doors to manage aircraft weight in hot climates, though the reverse herringbone layout enhances privacy.
Economy seats include 4K screens and USB charging, but do not offer power outlets; some rows have window misalignments or missing windows.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed comparison of seat features, cabin layouts and route deployment strategies for Etihad's new A321LR.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

It's the dawn of a new era for Etihad Airways' medium-haul network.

The United Arab Emirates carrier is taking delivery of its hotly anticipated Airbus A321LR, or "long-range," which is designed to seriously upgrade the travel experience for medium-haul flights to and from its Abu Dhabi hub at Zayed International Airport (AUH).

The A321LR is the first single-aisle jet in Etihad's fleet to feature a proper first-class product and lie-flat pods in the business-class cabin. This plane also ushers in several other upgrades that flyers will undoubtedly enjoy during their journeys onboard the A321LR.

Better yet, the A321LR allows Etihad to expand to several new destinations that it couldn't reach with smaller planes or that didn't have enough demand to fill a much-larger twin-aisle jet. (The A321LR offers about 1,000 mile more range than “standard” A321s.)

In anticipation of the jet's inaugural flight on Aug. 1, I traveled to the Airbus manufacturing facility in Hamburg, Germany, to get a first look at this jet (and to join the delivery flight to Abu Dhabi).

Here's everything you need to know about Etihad's A321LR — and why it's such a big deal for the airline.

Etihad Airbus A321LR first class

The star of the show is undoubtedly the all-new first-class product on this plane, which is located in the bulkhead row 1 right at the pointy end of the plane.

There are two first-class suites spread across the aisle in a 1-1 configuration.

The 22.5-inch-wide seats feature 20-inch 4K TVs, a buddy seat for a companion to join for a meal, Bluetooth audio connectivity, Qi wireless charging and much more.

There are sliding doors for additional privacy.

Furthermore, these seats have additional storage space and a larger ottoman and footwell area due to the curvature of the plane and the bulkhead wall.

In bed mode, the seats are massive. The oversized footwell area should make it very easy to get comfortable, though the only annoyance might be the proximity to the galley and lavatory.

Frequent flyers, especially those based in the U.S., might recognize these seats as "business-class-plus" products, similar to American's Flagship Suite Preferred or JetBlue's Mint Studio, but Etihad is marketing them differently.

No, there won't be any cabin dividers between these two first-class suites and the rest of business class, but Etihad says its goal is to ensure that the rest of the experience feels elevated.

With personalized service with a crew member dedicated to first class, better meals and enhanced beverage options, Etihad says the entire first-class experience should mimic what travelers would get on a flight from New York or Chicago to Abu Dhabi.

Airline executives explained that Etihad offered first class on these planes so that travelers flying in first from long-haul destinations could connect onto an A321LR and enjoy a seamless experience.

There's just one standard-sized lavatory at the front of the first-class cabin, and this toilet is shared among all 16 first- and business-class passengers.

I'd expect that there might be a line to use it during peak periods, such as before initial descent.

Watch a behind-the-scenes look at Etihad's brand-new A321LR, straight from the Airbus factory floor to its home in Abu Dhabi:

Etihad Airbus A321LR business class

Behind first class is the business-class cabin, outfitted with 14 pods in a 1-1 configuration.

Etihad Airbus A321LR First Business Economy — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Seats face toward the window in a reverse herringbone layout designed to maximize privacy. Etihad chose a customized version of the Stelia Opera seat for business class.

Aside from less storage and personal space, one big difference between first and business class is the lack of doors in the latter.

While many airlines are all-in on sliding doors, Etihad simply needed to make a tradeoff here. Since the airline operates in one of the hottest regions in the world, adding doors could potentially mean the plane would need to restrict its payload on the hottest days — meaning the airline would reduce passengers or cargo to lower the weight in order to take off in such conditions.

That's clearly a tradeoff Etihad wasn't willing to make.

That said, while I certainly would've appreciated a door, the reverse herringbone layout definitely helps give you more privacy than if you were facing the aisle. I felt like I was in my own cocoon trying out these seats for dining and relaxing, but I imagine a door would really help me feel more zen when it comes time for sleeping.

Speaking of sleeping, the seats convert to lie-flat beds that measure 78 inches long. Unlike many other business-class products, I loved that Etihad went with an open footwell area, which should make it much easier to get comfy at night.

Etihad Airbus A321LR business — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Tray tables pop out from under the armrest and measure 20 inches long and 15.5 inches wide.

The gold sconce attached to the wall adds just the perfect amount of form and function, providing some much-needed light at night while also feeling luxurious.

Unfortunately, the seats don't feature any enclosed storage areas — a small detail I'm sure some will miss.

In terms of tech, each pod features 17.3-inch 4K TVs, Bluetooth audio connectivity to wirelessly pair AirPods and other wireless headphones, Qi wireless charging pads, USB-C and USB-A ports and a universal power outlet.

Speaking of design, I loved Etihad's muted-yet-elevated tones, especially the gold trim around the side table, which is covered with faux marble — another premium touch.

Seat controls are located at shoulder level in a vertical position. The armrest adjacent to the aisle can be raised or lowered, but the one attached to the seat can't be adjusted.

As mentioned, there is just one lavatory at the front of the business-class cabin, which is shared with first-class flyers.

In terms of where to sit, the good news is that no seat is missing windows, so I'd choose something midcabin to avoid any noise that might emanate from people lining up for the lavatories at the front of the economy cabin.

All in all, this jet's business-class cabin should be super comfy for medium-haul travel, and I can't wait to give it a try on the delivery flight from Hamburg Airport (HAM) to AUH in the coming days — more on that soon.

Etihad Airbus A321LR economy class

While the most posh seats are at the front of the plane, the majority of flyers on the A321LR will be seated in one of the jet's 144 economy seats.

There are six rows of extra-legroom seats featuring 34 inches of pitch, while the remaining seats offer 30 inches of pitch. All seats measure 18.4 inches wide; seats recline 5 inches.

Note that row 29 is missing windows, while row 28 has a misaligned window due to the exit door that's been sealed shut on this plane. (That’s because the jet’s premium-heavy configuration means that it doesn’t require an additional exit door.)

If I'm seated in economy on this plane, I'd probably select the exit row 19 for plenty of additional legroom. (Even though row 18 is also an exit row, seats here don't recline, so just beware.)

That said, Etihad's economy experience is about as good as it gets, and Etihad tried to give this single-aisle jet a wide-body feel.

For one, every seat features 13.3-inch 4K monitors, as well as USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Unfortunately, there are no power outlets in economy — a big miss on Etihad's part, in my opinion.

Tray tables fold down from the seat in front.

Other premium touches that elevate the economy experience include nose-to-tail mood lighting strips, but unfortunately, Etihad didn't opt for the signature Airbus overhead lights that airlines like JetBlue and United installed on similar jets.

The good news is that this jet features massively oversized overhead bins, so finding room for your rollaboard bag shouldn't be an issue.

There are just three standard-sized lavatories for the 144 economy flyers. Two lavatories are located at the front of the cabin and one at the back.

The entire jet is connected to Viasat's satellite Wi-Fi service, which should offer living-room-quality download speeds once in flight. I look forward to trying this service on the delivery flight and will report back.

Etihad Airbus A321LR routes

Etihad's Airbus A321LR unlocks a whole new slew of destinations and routes for the airline.

Etihad plans to receive 10 A321LRs by the end of the year (with 30 total on order), which it will deploy to places like Thailand, the Seychelles and even Paris.

The inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for Aug. 1 from AUH to Phuket International Airport (HKT) in Thailand — but this jet will be used on many more routes in the coming months.

The deployment strategy is three-pronged. For one, the A321LR allows Etihad to introduce first-class and business-class suites to markets that aren't ready for the capacity of a wide-body. Examples of this include Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Algiers, Algeria.

Meanwhile, another type of destination that's suited for the A321LR is one that's in a roughly four-hour radius of Abu Dhabi — but that warrants a premium-heavy product, such as the Seychelles.

Finally, the Airbus A321LR will be deployed in select business markets to help Etihad offer more frequency. One such example is Paris, which isn't ready for a third daily wide-body flight but could do well with the 160 additional seats on the A321LR.

More deployment details are expected in the coming weeks and months, so be sure to stay tuned to TPG for the latest.

Bottom line

All in all, Etihad's A321LR is undoubtedly the airline's best narrow-body jet, and it even rivals some of its wide-bodies in terms of modern amenities and tech-forward enhancements.

The first- and business-class cabins should be a welcome upgrade for anyone who has flown on Etihad's other single-aisle planes, and even if you're connecting from a long-haul destination with the "full" premium experience, this plane shouldn't let you down.

The same goes for economy, where travelers can find a slew of updates from 4K TVs to faster Wi-Fi.

Nevertheless, this plane definitely feels "boutique" relative to the larger wide-body jets.

In Etihad's case, the airline isn't using the plane to replace twin-aisle planes (like you might find in select transatlantic markets from the U.S. to Europe) — but even so, I'm sure there will be some flyers who will miss flying on a larger plane for a seven-hour voyage.

As for me, I'll just hope I'm seated in the pointy end of the plane, where I can relax with a glass of Champagne and stretch my feet in a lie-flat bed.

Related reading:

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

TPG editor's rating

at American Express's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual fee

$325

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

It's the dawn of a new era for Etihad Airways' medium-haul network.

Here's everything you need to know about Etihad's A321LR — and why it's such a big deal for the airline.

Etihad Airbus A321LR first class

The star of the show is undoubtedly the all-new first-class product on this plane, which is located in the bulkhead row 1 right at the pointy end of the plane.

There are two first-class suites spread across the aisle in a 1-1 configuration.

The 22.5-inch-wide seats feature 20-inch 4K TVs, a buddy seat for a companion to join for a meal, Bluetooth audio connectivity, Qi wireless charging and much more.

There are sliding doors for additional privacy.

Furthermore, these seats have additional storage space and a larger ottoman and footwell area due to the curvature of the plane and the bulkhead wall.

In bed mode, the seats are massive. The oversized footwell area should make it very easy to get comfortable, though the only annoyance might be the proximity to the galley and lavatory.

No, there won't be any cabin dividers between these two first-class suites and the rest of business class, but Etihad says its goal is to ensure that the rest of the experience feels elevated.

There's just one standard-sized lavatory at the front of the first-class cabin, and this toilet is shared among all 16 first- and business-class passengers.

I'd expect that there might be a line to use it during peak periods, such as before initial descent.

Watch a behind-the-scenes look at Etihad's brand-new A321LR, straight from the Airbus factory floor to its home in Abu Dhabi:

Etihad Airbus A321LR business class

Behind first class is the business-class cabin, outfitted with 14 pods in a 1-1 configuration.

Seats face toward the window in a reverse herringbone layout designed to maximize privacy. Etihad chose a customized version of the Stelia Opera seat for business class.

Aside from less storage and personal space, one big difference between first and business class is the lack of doors in the latter.

That's clearly a tradeoff Etihad wasn't willing to make.

Tray tables pop out from under the armrest and measure 20 inches long and 15.5 inches wide.

The gold sconce attached to the wall adds just the perfect amount of form and function, providing some much-needed light at night while also feeling luxurious.

Unfortunately, the seats don't feature any enclosed storage areas — a small detail I'm sure some will miss.

Speaking of design, I loved Etihad's muted-yet-elevated tones, especially the gold trim around the side table, which is covered with faux marble — another premium touch.

Seat controls are located at shoulder level in a vertical position. The armrest adjacent to the aisle can be raised or lowered, but the one attached to the seat can't be adjusted.

As mentioned, there is just one lavatory at the front of the business-class cabin, which is shared with first-class flyers.

Etihad Airbus A321LR economy class

While the most posh seats are at the front of the plane, the majority of flyers on the A321LR will be seated in one of the jet's 144 economy seats.

There are six rows of extra-legroom seats featuring 34 inches of pitch, while the remaining seats offer 30 inches of pitch. All seats measure 18.4 inches wide; seats recline 5 inches.

If I'm seated in economy on this plane, I'd probably select the exit row 19 for plenty of additional legroom. (Even though row 18 is also an exit row, seats here don't recline, so just beware.)

That said, Etihad's economy experience is about as good as it gets, and Etihad tried to give this single-aisle jet a wide-body feel.

For one, every seat features 13.3-inch 4K monitors, as well as USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Unfortunately, there are no power outlets in economy — a big miss on Etihad's part, in my opinion.

Tray tables fold down from the seat in front.

The good news is that this jet features massively oversized overhead bins, so finding room for your rollaboard bag shouldn't be an issue.

There are just three standard-sized lavatories for the 144 economy flyers. Two lavatories are located at the front of the cabin and one at the back.

Etihad Airbus A321LR routes

Etihad's Airbus A321LR unlocks a whole new slew of destinations and routes for the airline.

Etihad plans to receive 10 A321LRs by the end of the year (with 30 total on order), which it will deploy to places like Thailand, the Seychelles and even Paris.

The inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for Aug. 1 from AUH to Phuket International Airport (HKT) in Thailand — but this jet will be used on many more routes in the coming months.

Meanwhile, another type of destination that's suited for the A321LR is one that's in a roughly four-hour radius of Abu Dhabi — but that warrants a premium-heavy product, such as the Seychelles.

More deployment details are expected in the coming weeks and months, so be sure to stay tuned to TPG for the latest.

Bottom line

All in all, Etihad's A321LR is undoubtedly the airline's best narrow-body jet, and it even rivals some of its wide-bodies in terms of modern amenities and tech-forward enhancements.

The same goes for economy, where travelers can find a slew of updates from 4K TVs to faster Wi-Fi.

Nevertheless, this plane definitely feels "boutique" relative to the larger wide-body jets.

As for me, I'll just hope I'm seated in the pointy end of the plane, where I can relax with a glass of Champagne and stretch my feet in a lie-flat bed.

Related reading:

Etihad Airbus A321LR first class

Etihad Airbus A321LR business class

Etihad Airbus A321LR economy class

Etihad Airbus A321LR routes

Bottom line

Comments

Comments

Related stories

This is now American Airlines' most premium plane: Here's what it's like on board

A review of Turkish Airlines A350-900 business class: Standout dining, uneven execution

The best business-class winners from the 2026 TPG Awards — and new seats we're excited about

British Airways reveals huge upgrades for Airbus A380, London Heathrow

TPG featured card

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

Etihad Airbus A321LR first class

Etihad Airbus A321LR business class

Etihad Airbus A321LR economy class

Etihad Airbus A321LR routes

Bottom line

Comments

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros