Etihad Airways shows off its first A380 to the public, with a fashion show and other events. VNS Photo Courtesy from Etihad Airways.

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has unveiled its first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 aircraft to more than 200 of the world's media in Abu Dhabi.

The doors to the airline's two new flagship aircraft – in the distinctive new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi' livery – were opened for the first time to reveal the new cabin interiors, which include the ultra-luxurious Residence by Etihad, the only three-room suite in the sky.

Etihad Airways also unveiled a new cabin crew uniform at a spectacular catwalk fashion show. It was the first major uniform re-launch since the airline's formation in 2003 and incorporates the same colours used for the cabin interior and new aircraft livery.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "As we have done so many times in our short history, we are reshaping the landscape of modern air travel in our own way."

Following the events in Abu Dhabi, the A380 and Boeing 787 aircraft will continue test operations before starting commercial flights. The A380 will operate daily to London Heathrow from December 27 and the 787 to Dusseldorf from February 1 2015.

Etihad Airways will take delivery of four A380s and three Boeing 787-9s in 2015.

In a related development, Etihad Airways has chosen First Gulf Bank (FGB) and National Commercial Bank (NCB) of Saudi Arabia to be financial providers for its purchasing contract for a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. — VNS