Etihad Airways will add both used and new single-aisle jets to its fleet in 2025, including the long‑range Airbus A321LR, as it works through a global aircraft shortage that has kept deliveries below demand and squeezed capacity across the industry. The carrier’s first A321LR arrived in July 2025, the first of a planned build-up of up to 30 aircraft, with at least 10 more due by year’s end. Etihad says these planes will open 27 new routes from Abu Dhabi to destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, helping the airline meet rising travel demand while major manufacturers struggle to deliver on time.
The move sits at the heart of Etihad’s “Journey 2030” plan to double the airline’s size and serve 38 million passengers by the end of the decade. The strategy leans on single-aisle jets that can fly farther than older narrow-bodies, letting the airline layer more frequencies to cities within the A321LR’s range while keeping a premium product consistent with its long‑haul brand.
Industry supply picture and why it matters
IATA projects just over 1,600 aircraft deliveries in 2025, well below what airlines need to replace aging jets and grow schedules. Production slowdowns from the pandemic, lingering supply chain gaps, and labor shortages across factories and repair shops continue to drag down output.
- The crunch is sharpest for narrow-bodies (single-aisle jets), which carry most passengers on short and medium routes.
- Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests this mismatch between demand and available aircraft is forcing airlines to rethink timing, financing, and onboard layouts to keep networks running.
The bottom line: aircraft scarcity is reshaping how airlines grow and where they focus investment.
Why used and leased jets are being deployed now
With new deliveries delayed, carriers are turning to used and leased planes to fill schedules. Etihad’s incoming A321LRs in 2025 include a mix of brand-new and leased units sourced from lessors such as AerCap.
Benefits of leasing and using pre-owned aircraft:
– Speed: Add seats and frequencies quickly without waiting years for factory slots.
– Risk management: Spread financial exposure while scaling.
– Flexibility: Swap or upgrade units later as factory deliveries catch up.
Cost pressures are real:
– Lease rates for aircraft and engines have risen by 20–30% since 2019.
– Airlines are paying more to keep older jets flying longer because maintenance is taking longer and parts are harder to find.
– IATA doesn’t expect market normalization before 2031–2034, so securing efficient single-aisle jets now can be a strategic advantage.
Etihad’s fleet choice reflects these dynamics. The A321LR delivers long-range performance in a single-aisle frame, enabling nonstop service to secondary cities without the operating cost of a widebody. That allows Etihad to:
– Increase frequency with smaller aircraft,
– Offer more time options for passengers,
– Preserve a premium onboard product across more routes.
What passengers can expect
Etihad is not trading comfort for cost. The A321LR cabins are designed to bring widebody-style features to a single-aisle aircraft.
Highlights:
– Private First Class suites — described as a world first for this aircraft type.
– Fully flat Business Class pods.
– Economy cabins with upgraded in-flight entertainment and high-speed Wi‑Fi.
Passenger benefits:
– More nonstop choices on regional and mid‑haul routes, reducing the need to connect.
– Better schedule spread: more mid-morning and evening departures on business routes, increased weekend frequencies for leisure.
– On some city pairs, a widebody may be replaced by two or three daily narrow-body options, spreading demand across the day.
VisaVerge.com notes airlines using single-aisle long-range models can stitch together city pairs that previously needed a stop—saving time and reducing missed connections.
Operational, regulatory, and airport impacts
Operational realities:
– Many carriers are holding older jets longer, which raises fuel and maintenance bills and can strain schedules when aircraft require extended hangar time.
– Supply chain delays affect everything from seats to landing gear; even after delivery, cabin installations can lag if suppliers are backlogged.
Regulatory oversight:
– Each aircraft, whether new or used, must meet safety and certification standards before entering service.
– The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority outlines frameworks for airworthiness, operations, and continuing maintenance that carriers must follow.
Airport and community impacts:
– More single-aisle jets can mean more jobs in ground handling, maintenance, and catering.
– They can also lead to tighter gate and runway schedules during peak hours.
– The A321LR’s range can shift traffic patterns toward more point-to-point flying, easing pressure on some hubs while creating new peaks on others—requiring long-range planning by airports.
Strategic implications for Etihad and the Gulf market
Etihad’s network expansion is part of a competitive push in the Gulf to capture connecting traffic across Europe, Asia, and Africa. As aircraft scarcity raises costs, carriers that secure efficient single-aisle jets with strong onboard products may find a sweet spot:
- Lower per-trip costs than widebodies, while maintaining comfort attractive to premium travelers.
- Greater resilience if fuel prices rise or supply struggles continue.
For customers, the most immediate effect will be changes to schedules and more nonstop options. When a route launches with a leased aircraft and later transitions to a brand-new unit, passengers may notice small differences in seat model or cabin finishes, but the core experience (First suites, lie‑flat Business, modern Economy) should remain consistent.
Outlook and key takeaways
- IATA’s projection that the shortage won’t ease until the early-to-mid 2030s means airlines will continue to rely on used aircraft and creative leasing.
- Etihad’s plan to take at least ten more A321LRs in 2025 and deploy them on 27 new routes is a clear bet on flexibility and premium service to navigate a tight aircraft market.
- If Etihad hits its delivery targets, it will have positioned itself to expand rapidly across regional and medium‑haul markets while preserving its premium identity.
Key warning: supply-chain delays and certification timelines can still affect when individual aircraft enter service, so route launches and cabin installations may shift.
This Article in a Nutshell
Etihad Airways plans a significant 2025 fleet expansion using both new and pre-owned single‑aisle jets, notably the long‑range Airbus A321LR. The airline received its first A321LR in July 2025 and aims for up to 30 such aircraft, with at least ten more scheduled before year’s end. These jets will enable 27 new nonstop routes from Abu Dhabi across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, supporting Etihad’s Journey 2030 goal to double size and reach 38 million passengers. The move responds to a global aircraft shortage—IATA estimates about 1,600 deliveries in 2025—forcing carriers to use leasing and the pre‑owned market. Benefits include faster capacity additions and operational flexibility, while risks remain from supply‑chain delays, certification timelines, higher lease rates, and mixed‑fleet maintenance challenges. Etihad’s approach seeks to balance premium passenger experience with pragmatic risk management.
