How to: Be sustainable with style

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Etihad Airways' new Economy service aims to show sustainability and style can go hand in hand. Turky Al Hammadi, Head of Product and Hospitality, explains how...

identify priorities

Etihad wanted to be a trailblazer on sustainability in aviation but we didn’t want to compromise the quality of our guest experience. We undertook extensive research and development over several years to make sure our sustainability measures would also enhance our inflight experience.

commit to quality

Balancing both sustainability and improved experience in Economy, we assessed that both were best achieved by using reusable tableware made from recycled high-quality plastic, and introducing quality stainless-steel cutlery. We looked for innovative products.

test your concept

Between 2019 and 2021, we operated five eco-flights testing a range of operational efficiencies and onboard sustainability initiatives. The flights were part of our Greenliner programme with Boeing, and included the region’s first single-use plastic-free flight on Earth Day in 2019.

look beyond the flight

We recognised that being sustainable means looking at the full life-cycle of a product so the tray, serving plates and lids we choose are part of a closedloop recycling system supported by our tableware supplier deSter. At the end of their useful onboard life, these items are collected, washed, ground down and reused to make new replacement products. It’s easy in theory but in practice there were many challenges. deSter was the ideal partner having received EFSA approval in 2021 for closed loop recycling in aviation - the first and only partner in the airline market to perform food contact safe closed loop recycling for plastic tableware.

move away from sup

We committed to remove 80% of single-use plastic (SUP) by the end of 2022 and the new inflight equipment ensures we meet that goal.

think local

Where possible, we are moving towards locally produced items to further improve our environmental impact. For example we upgraded Economy soft furnishings to include a 35% larger pillow with a 200 threadcount cotton cover made locally in the UAE. This is complemented by a soft blanket made from recycled plastic for additional comfort on all flights. •

fact file

Recently awarded Environmental Airline of the Year for 2022 in the Airline Excellence Awards.

Committed to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, and halving 2019 emissions by 2035. Partnering with Lumitics to trial the use of computer vision and machine learning to reduce food waste onboard.

Recycles cooking oil to make fuel for its ground vehicles.