Etihad’s new Airbus A321LRs will feature a first class suite in addition to lie flat business class product. That’s a surprising choice considering that the market for first class is usually on the longest flights, rather than medium-distance routes likely to be service with these aircraft, and because even most of the airline’s long haul widebodies do not offer first class.

I absolutely love the idea of better products and to see Etihad’s return to the super-premium space after years of cutbacks. The airline is also going to offer concierge service, car service to and from the airport, and escorts at the airport through check-in to lounge and to the gate (and car service for flights departing from a remote stand) and from arrival door to car service at the destination. They’re also going to copy Emirates home check-in.

But there’s one very strange marketing claim being made about the product that leaves me scratching my head a bit – that this is the first time there has been first class on a narrowbody aircraft?

Etihad is first airline to introduce First Class to narrowbody aircraft, doubles down on premium leisure market – Business Traveller https://t.co/iYTiN2xvcK

— Joseph Fischer (@Jofischer007) April 28, 2025

Just in the past two decades we’ve had U.S. airlines offering a first class product beyond business on narrowbody aircraft.

• United configured Boeing 757s in 3-class service for their ‘p.s.’ product. It had angled flat first class seats, recliner-style business class, and economy.

• American Airlines flies narrowbodies with first class today. Their Airbus A321T has been flying for 11 years, and is slated for reconfiguration (into standard domestic A321 configuration) once the airline’s A321XLRs arrive which feature business class suites and premium economy. I flew the inaugural of this aircraft.

American Airlines Airbus A321T First Class

American Airlines Airbus A321T Business Class

There are always ways to carve out a category to claim you’re first. They’ll be the first airline in the Middle East to offer first and business class cabins on the same narrowbody jets. But Etihad certainly won’t be the first to do so on narrowbodies anywhere.