After their recent decision to retire their A380s, Etihad Airways CEO, Tony Douglas, has now revealed that the carrier is also going to stop operating all their Boeing 777-300ER’s before the end of 2021.
Reuters reported about the statement by Etihad CEO Tony Douglas today.
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways will no longer operate Boeing 777-300ER jets after this year, the chief executive said on Wednesday, as it accelerates plans to become a smaller airline.
State-owned Etihad is targeting to return profit in 2023, as part of a five-year restructuring plan that it has accelerated during the pandemic that has crippled the air travel industry.
“You will see of us a very focused, a very disciplined operating model which is heavily built around the fleet of the 787 Dreamliner and A350-1000” CEO Tony Douglas told the online World Aviation Festival.
The retirement of Etihad B777-300/ER means that the majority of their First Class seat capacity will be removed. It is unclear whether the A350-1000 will retain its First Class cabin.
Etihad First Class Suite on B777-300/ER 
Etihad First Class Suite on B777-300/ER
Etihad operates 19 B777-300/ER’s, some of which they have recently converted to cargo flights in response to increased demand. They have 39 B787 Dreamliners in their fleet and have taken delivery of 5 of 20 A350’s that they have ordered.
Douglas said it was too early to comment as to how the Boeing 777X jet, which they have ordered, would fit into their future fleet plans.
Etihad is gone, from long haul carrier towards a lcc. They used to serve Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
ok so Etihad is basically gone. Its turning into just another UAE low cost-like carrier, and if i want to fly lowcost, I’ll chose flydubai. Good for Emirates, less competition
You are absolutely right. Fortunately, a world class airline still serves Tanzania : Emirates.
yet another reason to fly EK.
Well said. Absolutely.
Another idiotic decision ! Had Etihad not lost billions purchasing unprofitable airlines, it could have kept all its fleet! After the scandal of its A380s, the downgrade of service of that airline should only cause one reaction : boycott !