I toured Etihad's new first and business cabins coming to future Airbus jets in 2027. These 8 things surprised me most.

Etihad Airways is bringing a new aircraft to its fleet in 2027, and I got an early look at what its premium seats will be like.

At Dubai’s annual Arabian Travel Market trade show in September, the UAE airline unveiled mock-ups of the new first- and business-class cabins planned for its future Airbus A330neos.

Etihad said the first of 15 new A330neos will enter service in September 2027, serving regional and medium-haul routes from its Abu Dhabi hub.

There are just four first-class suites, followed by 24 business class seats.

Both cabins have privacy doors, lie-flat seats, 4K screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless charging.

It’s notable that Etihad is continuing to expand First beyond its flagship Airbus A380s.

The choice makes sense, as the post-COVID premium travel boom continues to drive global airline revenue.

Sitting inside the future A330neo cabins revealed much about how Etihad maximized space, as well as a few trade-offs that weren’t immediately apparent.

Here are eight things that stood out most.