•     McLaren Racing-themed Boeing 787 Dreamliner completes first flight from Abu Dhabi to Madrid

•     Exclusive limited-edition McLaren loungewear launches for First and Business guests on longer flights

•     Partnership takes to the skies as the special aircraft begins flying across Etihad’s global network

NATIONAL, INDIA – Etihad Airways’ new McLaren Racing-themed Boeing 787 Dreamliner has taken its first flight from Abu Dhabi to Madrid on 10 November, just hours after the special aircraft was unveiled in a world-record breaking event in Abu Dhabi.

Flight EY103 to Madrid marked the start of the aircraft’s journey across Etihad’s global network, taking McLaren Racing’s distinctive papaya identity from Abu Dhabi to destinations around the world. The aircraft transforms one of Etihad’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners into a flying celebration of the partnership, bringing the energy of McLaren Racing to Etihad guests and motorsport fans wherever it flies.

Guests on the inaugural flight also received special keepsakes to mark the occasion, extending the celebration throughout the aircraft. All passengers were treated to commemorative Etihad and McLaren Racing cards and branded cookies, and guests travelling in Business were gifted branded caps and signed cards from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

The launch comes as Abu Dhabi prepares for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with the aircraft set to carry McLaren Racing’s colours from Etihad’s home in the UAE capital to destinations around the world.

The aircraft is one of the first highly visible expressions of the partnership between Etihad and McLaren Racing, with the collaboration now extending beyond the livery to the onboard guest experience. To celebrate the aircraft entering service and the wider sponsorship, Etihad has released a limited-edition collection of Etihad and McLaren cobranded loungewear designed exclusively for guests flying in Business, First and The Residence on longer routes.

The loungewear will be available for one month, launching exclusively on the McLaren livery aircraft until 18 November, and expanding across the long-haul fleet until after the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.

The limited-edition collection brings together Etihad’s premium onboard experience with McLaren Racing’s instantly recognisable identity. Business guests will receive a crew-neck design, while guests travelling in First and The Residence will receive an exclusive zip-neck variation. Both feature Etihad and McLaren Racing branding, finished with detailing in McLaren Racing’s signature papaya colour. Available exclusively to Etihad guests in sizes S to XL, each set is theirs to keep after the flight, offering a limited-edition memento of the Etihad and McLaren Racing partnership.

The McLaren Racing livery, unveiled at an exhilarating event at the Etihad Airways hangar in Abu Dhabi, is the world’s first racing team livery on a wide-body aircraft. The livery will take the McLaren Racing brand from racetrack to runway, delighting fans as it flies across Etihad’s global network.