Etihad to screen live news and sport in-flight

Etihad Airways is set setting a new benchmark in in-flight entertainment with the introduction of eight television channels which will broadcast live news and sport on the airline’s 21 widebody aircraft.

The new live channels are BBC World News, BBC Arabic, Euronews and Sport 24, available from November 1. CNBC, Japan’s NHK World Premium, and CNN, will be introduced during November and Sky News Arabia will follow in the coming months. The highlight of the sports coverage are the final races of the Formula 1 season.
The service will gradually be expanded on board 37 widebody aircraft by the end of 2014.
“In addition to Formula 1, passengers can also watch a wealth of live top sporting action this November including the ATP World Tour Finals, English Premier League and German Bundesliga matches, and Euroleague Basketball,” said Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer at the UAE national airline.
The major sports coverage will continue in 2014 and includes the Australian Open, French Open and US Open tennis championships, the Winter Olympics, the Masters from Augusta and Ryder Cup golf, and the FIFA World Cup from Brazil.
“In-flight entertainment is a key part of the guest travel experience and the introduction of the eight live channels, from brands such as Sky News Arabia, CNN and the BBC, as well as top global action on Sport 24, will be a fantastic addition to Etihad Airways’ flights.”
Etihad operates a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Cyprus every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
For information visit www.etihad.com  or www.etihadmediacentre.com