As you all know, yesterday was the retirement of Etihad's last Airbus A340-500 as the quad jet performed it's final flight from Abu Dhabi to Rabat. Etihad's remaining 7 A340-600's will continue to fly until October 28th of this year. Etihad's General Manager Netherlands Jean Paul Drabbe mentioned in Luchtvaartnieuws Magazine earlier this year stated,"We want to invest in a uniform product, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350,".

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/56067-etihad-to-end-a340-ops-by-october-2017

there is a typo. Abu Dhabi instead of Abu Dubai

How about 777X?

dubaiamman243 wrote:

there is a typo. Abu Dhabi instead of Abu Dubai

Whoops! Thanks for pointing that out, I'll get right to it!

dubaiamman243 wrote:

there is a typo. Abu Dhabi instead of Abu Dubai

Huh, seems like I can't edit the forum post. But still thanks for pointing it out, was just missing one more letter !

MD80MKE wrote:

How about 777X?

It is a good idea, but let's not forget the 777x doesn't come out until 2020. So I'm pretty sure they are only focusing on current plane replacements. Still a nice choice of aircraft!

Narfish641 wrote:

dubaiamman243 wrote:

there is a typo. Abu Dhabi instead of Abu Dubai

Huh, seems like I can't edit the forum post. But still thanks for pointing it out, was just missing one more letter !

Fixed the spelling for you

MD80MKE wrote:

How about 777X?

What about it? Refer to the thread title, please, and keep your post on topic.

Anyway, according to A.net logic, the A346 was too heavy and failed against the B777. So how about your quoted B777X, reportedly 15tons or so heavier than an A350-1000 of virtually similar capabilities?

About these EY 346 frames to be imminently retired, I wonder what will be their future. I would appreciate any info on that - a continued flying career somewhere else, or stripdown for parts!

qf789 wrote:

Narfish641 wrote:

Huh, seems like I can't edit the forum post. But still thanks for pointing it out, was just missing one more letter !

Fixed the spelling for you

Looks like we both got to it at the same time! Lol.

Narfish641 wrote:

"We want to invest in a uniform product, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350,".

I find this interesting given the waves they made with their A380. They've also got 30 A330s plus all the 777s with two dozen 777X on order. I realize that for many airlines, the 787 and A350 will be the backbone of the future fleet, but if their aim is to reduce complexity around those two types, then a lot of changes are going to need to be made.

qf789 wrote:

Narfish641 wrote:

dubaiamman243 wrote:

there is a typo. Abu Dhabi instead of Abu Dubai

Huh, seems like I can't edit the forum post. But still thanks for pointing it out, was just missing one more letter !

Fixed the spelling for you

Thanks for the correction!

sassiciai wrote:

MD80MKE wrote:

How about 777X?

What about it? Refer to the thread title, please, and keep your post on topic.

Anyway, according to A.net logic, the A346 was too heavy and failed against the B777. So how about your quoted B777X, reportedly 15tons or so heavier than an A350-1000 of virtually similar capabilities?

About these EY 346 frames to be imminently retired, I wonder what will be their future. I would appreciate any info on that - a continued flying career somewhere else, or stripdown for parts!

779 is larger then A35k. So different story.

For Etihad, the A346 flying against the 77W of same size. Seems natural they have flown it as long as economically feasible with more options on the table.

atcsundevil wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Narfish641 wrote:

Huh, seems like I can't edit the forum post. But still thanks for pointing it out, was just missing one more letter !

Fixed the spelling for you

Looks like we both got to it at the same time! Lol.

Narfish641 wrote:

"We want to invest in a uniform product, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350,".

I find this interesting given the waves they made with their A380. They've also got 30 A330s plus all the 777s with two dozen 777X on order. I realize that for many airlines, the 787 and A350 will be the backbone of the future fleet, but if their aim is to reduce complexity around those two types, then a lot of changes are going to need to be made.

Lol. And yep, the future is coming fast as large twin engines jets dominate the skies. I'm actually quite shocked about Singapore with their A380's however. They are retiring few of them later on in the year with newer ones, which given the fact that all older A380's are a decade old, and most likely wouldn't be retired after 13 years or so. I'm confused on that.

Take into account that the A350/787 remark was made by a local manager. I wouldn't read too much into it since from both this and the original Dutch article it doesn't become clear in what context we should place it in.

dubaiamman243 wrote:

there is a typo. Abu Dhabi instead of Abu Dubai

Hell, they should just build a massive airport between AUH and DXB and name it that...and while they're at it, merge the airlines to be Emirhad (or Etihates).

sassiciai wrote:

MD80MKE wrote:

How about 777X?

What about it? Refer to the thread title, please, and keep your post on topic.

Anyway, according to A.net logic, the A346 was too heavy and failed against the B777. So how about your quoted B777X, reportedly 15tons or so heavier than an A350-1000 of virtually similar capabilities?

About these EY 346 frames to be imminently retired, I wonder what will be their future. I would appreciate any info on that - a continued flying career somewhere else, or stripdown for parts!

I'm pretty sure they will be eliminated as everyone is getting rid of them. As for parts in my opinion, they'd be useless. Especially their engines.

AWACSooner wrote:

dubaiamman243 wrote:

there is a typo. Abu Dhabi instead of Abu Dubai

Hell, they should just build a massive airport between AUH and DXB and name it that...and while they're at it, merge the airlines to be Emirhad (or Etihates).

sassiciai wrote:

MD80MKE wrote:

How about 777X?

What about it? Refer to the thread title, please, and keep your post on topic.

Anyway, according to A.net logic, the A346 was too heavy and failed against the B777. So how about your quoted B777X, reportedly 15tons or so heavier than an A350-1000 of virtually similar capabilities?

About these EY 346 frames to be imminently retired, I wonder what will be their future. I would appreciate any info on that - a continued flying career somewhere else, or stripdown for parts!

MD80MKE was most likely referring to this quote in the OP:

"Etihad's General Manager Netherlands Jean Paul Drabbe mentioned in Luchtvaartnieuws Magazine earlier this year stated,"We want to invest in a uniform product, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350,"."

I mean no disrespect but, please, read the comment in the context it exists before getting riled up and calling out a poster's (seemingly/likely) innocent comment and then going right ahead and making the first A vs B non-topic comment.

I suspect that the 787 and A350 will replace them. The B789 for EY flies as far as IAD nonstop. As for what happens to these A346s, I wouldn't be surprised to see them spread around the Middle East as VIP frames (Abu Dhabi Royal Flight doesn't need one as it leases a B788 from AerCap as its VIP plane).

Narfish641 wrote:

atcsundevil wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Fixed the spelling for you

Looks like we both got to it at the same time! Lol.

Narfish641 wrote:

"We want to invest in a uniform product, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350,".

I find this interesting given the waves they made with their A380. They've also got 30 A330s plus all the 777s with two dozen 777X on order. I realize that for many airlines, the 787 and A350 will be the backbone of the future fleet, but if their aim is to reduce complexity around those two types, then a lot of changes are going to need to be made.

Lol. And yep, the future is coming fast as large twin engines jets dominate the skies. I'm actually quite shocked about Singapore with their A380's however. They are retiring few of them later on in the year with newer ones, which given the fact that all older A380's are a decade old, and most likely wouldn't be retired after 13 years or so. I'm confused on that.

The ones retiring were the first batch that were heavier & have less payload/range & burn more fuel.

Narfish641 wrote:

sassiciai wrote:

MD80MKE wrote:

How about 777X?

What about it? Refer to the thread title, please, and keep your post on topic.

Anyway, according to A.net logic, the A346 was too heavy and failed against the B777. So how about your quoted B777X, reportedly 15tons or so heavier than an A350-1000 of virtually similar capabilities?

About these EY 346 frames to be imminently retired, I wonder what will be their future. I would appreciate any info on that - a continued flying career somewhere else, or stripdown for parts!

I'm pretty sure they will be eliminated as everyone is getting rid of them. As for parts in my opinion, they'd be useless. Especially their engines.

Other than engines and landing gear there are a lot of parts shared with the A330. Part out and spares sales will be useful.

aemoreira1981 wrote:

I suspect that the 787 and A350 will replace them. The B789 for EY flies as far as IAD nonstop. As for what happens to these A346s, I wouldn't be surprised to see them spread around the Middle East as VIP frames (Abu Dhabi Royal Flight doesn't need one as it leases a B788 from AerCap as its VIP plane).

As long as they have proper maintenance to the aircraft, then it will be good to go.

A340 (particularly -600) is my favourite aircraft that I've never flown on, so a bit worriesome to see so many being retired so quickly. Hopefully SAA keep theirs for a couple more years for me.

aemoreira1981 wrote:

I suspect that the 787 and A350 will replace them. The B789 for EY flies as far as IAD nonstop. As for what happens to these A346s, I wouldn't be surprised to see them spread around the Middle East as VIP frames (Abu Dhabi Royal Flight doesn't need one as it leases a B788 from AerCap as its VIP plane).

Actually EY's longest 789 flight is to BNE

dredgy wrote:

A340 (particularly -600) is my favourite aircraft that I've never flown on, so a bit worriesome to see so many being retired so quickly. Hopefully SAA keep theirs for a couple more years for me.

I got to fly on an Etihad A346 a couple of years ago and what made it even more enjoyable was me, my wife and daughter were upgraded to Biz class for the flight...... and it was my daughters first time on Etihad!!!!

Sad to see them retiring, the A346 is a beauty!!!!

sassiciai wrote:

MD80MKE wrote:

How about 777X?

What about it? Refer to the thread title, please, and keep your post on topic.

Anyway, according to A.net logic, the A346 was too heavy and failed against the B777. So how about your quoted B777X, reportedly 15tons or so heavier than an A350-1000 of virtually similar capabilities?

About these EY 346 frames to be imminently retired, I wonder what will be their future. I would appreciate any info on that - a continued flying career somewhere else, or stripdown for parts!

Hmmmm......so the A35J and the 777-9 have "virtually similar capabilities" yet one seats about 50 more pax and can carry 55,000 lbs more payload over the same distance.

Yep, they sound real similar to me.

MoKa777 wrote:

sassiciai wrote:

MD80MKE wrote:

How about 777X?

What about it? Refer to the thread title, please, and keep your post on topic.

Anyway, according to A.net logic, the A346 was too heavy and failed against the B777. So how about your quoted B777X, reportedly 15tons or so heavier than an A350-1000 of virtually similar capabilities?

About these EY 346 frames to be imminently retired, I wonder what will be their future. I would appreciate any info on that - a continued flying career somewhere else, or stripdown for parts!

MD80MKE was most likely referring to this quote in the OP:

"Etihad's General Manager Netherlands Jean Paul Drabbe mentioned in Luchtvaartnieuws Magazine earlier this year stated,"We want to invest in a uniform product, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350,"."

I mean no disrespect but, please, read the comment in the context it exists before getting riled up and calling out a poster's (seemingly/likely) innocent comment and then going right ahead and making the first A vs B non-topic comment.

the irony of attacking a poster when the attacker is the one actually wrong.

The rumours that we heard in the briefing centre a few weeks ago, were the EHJ/K possibly L, were going to be saved, fitted with a higher density cabin, and used predominantly on sub continent flights, similar to what QR have done with their A346's

Interestingly, these were only taken on a 10 year lease originally, with some extended due to the 787 shortage a few years ago.

dredgy wrote:

A340 (particularly -600) is my favourite aircraft that I've never flown on, so a bit worriesome to see so many being retired so quickly. Hopefully SAA keep theirs for a couple more years for me.

You'd think Lufthansa will keep theirs till the very end too.

Spiderguy252 wrote:

dredgy wrote:

A340 (particularly -600) is my favourite aircraft that I've never flown on, so a bit worriesome to see so many being retired so quickly. Hopefully SAA keep theirs for a couple more years for me.

You'd think Lufthansa will keep theirs till the very end too.

Yes, but Lufthansa doesn't fly them anywhere I want to go . I'm hoping to do PER-JNB next year on SAA
I'm flying Lufthansa later this year and tried to get an A340 flight, but my options were limited (Panama City, and that was on a -300), so I chose the 747-8 to GRU instead.

dredgy wrote:

A340 (particularly -600) is my favourite aircraft that I've never flown on, so a bit worriesome to see so many being retired so quickly. Hopefully SAA keep theirs for a couple more years for me.

I have a feeling that the their A340's would be retired in 2019. I checked fuel prices and they are extremely low, but the maintenance and the fuel that they burn is ridiculous. They probably will push them a bit though, they're pretty young.

NZ321 wrote:

I flew on a VS A346 twice. Have to say - aircraft was great but product not so. Somewhat interfered with my enjoyment of that beautiful bird. Grab a seat while you can. Days are clearly numbered.

Out of my life I've flown only 4 times during my bands high school trip to the Rose Bowl Parade (Southwest 737-700 and 737-800), and I will most likely never get a chance to fly them in my life. But hey, there's other great aircraft to fly on. I'm planning on going to Seattle, Washington on a Delta widebody. Should be a fun experience. The 757 are cool too.

So Far four airplanes have been ferried over the past 2 months to Teruel.
They are A345s A6-EHB and EHC and A346s A6-EHE and EHF.
A345 EHD has stopped flying as of end of July with last route being to Rabat.
A346 EHH is also not flying.
Hope they find another lease on life with other operators.

Fiend wrote:

dredgy wrote:

A340 (particularly -600) is my favourite aircraft that I've never flown on, so a bit worriesome to see so many being retired so quickly. Hopefully SAA keep theirs for a couple more years for me.

I got to fly on an Etihad A346 a couple of years ago and what made it even more enjoyable was me, my wife and daughter were upgraded to Biz class for the flight...... and it was my daughters first time on Etihad!!!!

Sad to see them retiring, the A346 is a beauty!!!!

Agreed! One of the most beautiful pieces in aviation history.

Speedbirdasia wrote:

So Far four airplanes have been ferried over the past 2 months to Teruel.
They are A345s A6-EHB and EHC and A346s A6-EHE and EHF.
A345 EHD has stopped flying as of end of July with last route being to Rabat.
A346 EHH is also not flying.
Hope they find another lease on life with other operators.

If they can, maintenance and fuel consumption is a real killer.

Spiderguy252 wrote:

dredgy wrote:

A340 (particularly -600) is my favourite aircraft that I've never flown on, so a bit worriesome to see so many being retired so quickly. Hopefully SAA keep theirs for a couple more years for me.

You'd think Lufthansa will keep theirs till the very end too.

At the moment Lufthansa is retiring a few 300's. It seems like they will be retiring around 2019 or 2020 along with the 747-400 according to article a year back.

A6-EHH is currently in the maintenance hangar having its interior stripped out, that is due to go in the next few weeks.

A6-EHD is parked at the southern part of the airport, in the parking area next to 31L. I don't think it's heading to Teruel just yet.

I'll find out more today when I head into work

As much as they need to go, the A340-500/600 is probably my favorite aircraft to fly on. It just feels so stable and smooth in flight and the length makes it even more thrilling to fly. I actually prefer it to the 777 and 747-400/-8. However, the A340-200/300 models were a bit sluggish.

The A350 certainly won't disappoint though! It really is an amazing aircraft. Can't wait to experience the 777x too!

Was lucky enough to get up to Etihad Platinum (Gold Elite at the time) when they were running lots of double/treble miles promotions circa 2012. A346 was my first trip with them as a bump from J to F. VERY nice flight, probably better than the slightly newer F on the 77W due to the quieter cabin (is it me or are T7s quite noisy?) although nothing close to the F apartments on their A380s. Let me sit in "The Residence" for a few minutes but asked me not to tell anyone, so I wont.

I have been flew on Etihads A346 many moon ago. DOH-LHR and return. Upgraded to B/C on the return leg of the journey. I always thought it was a nice aircraft. A long walk to the rear galley to get some Earl Grey tea. (None left in B/C)

I have been flew on Etihads A346 many moon ago. DOH-LHR and return. Upgraded to B/C on the return leg of the journey. I always thought it was a nice aircraft. A long walk to the rear galley to get some Earl Grey tea. (None left in B/C)

I sure hope they transfer the (A340) ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX LIVERY onto a 787 or 777. The only thing is, if they are retiring the A340s in October 2017, the Grand Prix aircraft will be retired before the race - so no flyover Or maybe they will do a special flyover even though it will be withdrawn from service by then. The only other option is that they will do an Etihad A380 (or other aircraft type) flyover.

Doesn't that mean they would be better off having the 2017 livery on a 787 or 777? (Maybe even an A330 - but I don't think it would look as good on an A330). I'm sure it's too costly to do it on an A380!

I'm sure at the very least, they will come up with something for 2018 on another aircraft.

Will truly miss the Etihad A340-600 Grand Prix livery on A6-EHJ. It was so well suited to the A340-600. But I also understand that times have got to change.

I sure hope they transfer the (A340) ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX LIVERY onto a 787 or 777. The only thing is, if they are retiring the A340s in October 2017, the Grand Prix aircraft will be retired before the race - so no flyover Or maybe they will do a special flyover even though it will be withdrawn from service by then. The only other option is that they will do an Etihad A380 (or other aircraft type) flyover.

Doesn't that mean they would be better off having the 2017 livery on a 787 or 777? (Maybe even an A330 - but I don't think it would look as good on an A330). I'm sure it's too costly to do it on an A380!

I'm sure at the very least, they will come up with something for 2018 on another aircraft.

Will truly miss the Etihad A340-600 Grand Prix livery on A6-EHJ. It was so well suited to the A340-600. But I also understand that times have got to change.

MiddleEastMike wrote:

A6-EHH is currently in the maintenance hangar having its interior stripped out, that is due to go in the next few weeks.

A6-EHD is parked at the southern part of the airport, in the parking area next to 31L. I don't think it's heading to Teruel just yet.

I'll find out more today when I head into work

Any idea when the first A350s (-900 and -1000) will join the fleet?
According to etihad.com, the capacity on their A350s (probably only the -1000...) will be "up to 400".
Maybe the rumours about keeping some A340-600s are correct until the 1st A35Js join the fleet.

Its a great shame that the A345's were not painted in the new Etihad livery. One of the best looking planes, in my current favourite livery, would have been beautiful.

Is anyone in the know as to when A6-EHJ will be retired, and how long we've got left to try and photograph her?

I too hope they place that livery on a Boeing 787-9 but I somehow fear that's the last we'll ever see of it!

bmibaby737 wrote:

Is anyone in the know as to when A6-EHJ will be retired, and how long we've got left to try and photograph her?

I too hope they place that livery on a Boeing 787-9 but I somehow fear that's the last we'll ever see of it!

See my earlier post mate, EHJ/K and possibly L, will be saved for a while, put in higher density can configs to free up space. They'll mainly be flown to sub-continent areas (India/Bangladesh/Pakistan etc)

MoonC wrote:

MiddleEastMike wrote:

A6-EHH is currently in the maintenance hangar having its interior stripped out, that is due to go in the next few weeks.

A6-EHD is parked at the southern part of the airport, in the parking area next to 31L. I don't think it's heading to Teruel just yet.

I'll find out more today when I head into work

Any idea when the first A350s (-900 and -1000) will join the fleet?
According to etihad.com, the capacity on their A350s (probably only the -1000...) will be "up to 400".
Maybe the rumours about keeping some A340-600s are correct until the 1st A35Js join the fleet.

The A350 deliveries are very sketchy, we've been told that "sometime in 2019" deliveries will happen. But that's the only info we have, I know not so long ago they cancelled 6 A350's off the order taking it to 19.

By the time they arrive, some of the earlier 77W's will be around 13 years old, so I can see them arriving in a 2 class config not to dissimilar to 2 class 77W's.

It's more an interest into what will happen with the A332's personally

Narfish641 wrote:

s you all know, yesterday was the retirement of Etihad's last Airbus A340-500 as the quad jet performed it's final flight from Abu Dhabi to Rabat. Etihad's remaining 7 A340-600's will continue to fly until October 28th of this year. Etihad's General Manager Netherlands Jean Paul Drabbe mentioned in Luchtvaartnieuws Magazine earlier this year stated,"We want to invest in a uniform product, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350,".

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/56067-etihad-to-end-a340-ops-by-october-2017

Does this mean the A380's are going, going, gone............................

MiddleEastMike wrote:

MoonC wrote:

MiddleEastMike wrote:

A6-EHH is currently in the maintenance hangar having its interior stripped out, that is due to go in the next few weeks.

A6-EHD is parked at the southern part of the airport, in the parking area next to 31L. I don't think it's heading to Teruel just yet.

I'll find out more today when I head into work

Any idea when the first A350s (-900 and -1000) will join the fleet?
According to etihad.com, the capacity on their A350s (probably only the -1000...) will be "up to 400".
Maybe the rumours about keeping some A340-600s are correct until the 1st A35Js join the fleet.

The A350 deliveries are very sketchy, we've been told that "sometime in 2019" deliveries will happen. But that's the only info we have, I know not so long ago they cancelled 6 A350's off the order taking it to 19.

By the time they arrive, some of the earlier 77W's will be around 13 years old, so I can see them arriving in a 2 class config not to dissimilar to 2 class 77W's.

It's more an interest into what will happen with the A332's personally

I would also like to know what the plans are for the A330-300s. I assume they will be gone once they have enough 3-class 787s?
All the 787s being delivered now are 2-class birds. Any idea when the next batch of 3-class will arrive?
They want to move the GVA flight from the A330-300s to a 3-class 787s but none are being delivered now.