style flash mob added color, music, dance and glamor to Etihad Airways' official Airbus A380 India launch event in Mumbai on Wednesday. The spectacular show, choreographed by renowned Indian dancer Terrence Lewis, also saw cabin crew from Etihad Airways and strategic partner Jet Airways in a spontaneous performance with members of the entertainer's dance troupe. Leading figures from government and diplomatic circles, business houses and the travel trade attended the spectacular cocktail event, hosted by Etihad Airways management from head office in Abu Dhabi and Mumbai at a leading downtown hotel in India's commercial capital. Guests were treated to another surprise with an appearance by members of the MumbaiIndians, defending champions of the popular annual IPL cricket tournament currently taking place in India. Etihad Airways and Jet Airways jointly sponsor the team. A full display of the award-winning interiors of Etihad Airways' flagship aircraft gave guests an opportunity to experience the comforts and ambience of the A380 cabins first hand. These included The Residence — the commercial airline industry's only three-room suite in the air featuring a living room, ensuite shower room, double bedroom with a Savoy-trained butler – together with a First Apartment and Business Studio. Earlier this week, Etihad Airways debuted its A380 in India with daily scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Mumbai, becoming the airline's fourth destination featuring the world's largest passenger aircraft. With its A380s already operating from Abu Dhabi to New York, London and Sydney, the aircraft will also be inducted on the Abu Dhabi–Melbourne route from June 1. Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2015 carried 17.6 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, 117 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 122 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in air berlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. Etihad Airways, along with Air berlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a brand that brings together partner airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. — SG
