Etihad Airways to screen live news and sport in-flight - including Formula 1

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is set to transform in-flight entertainment options with the introduction of eight live television channels which will broadcast live news and sport, including this weekend's Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The new live channels are BBC World News, BBC Arabic, euronews and Sport 24, which are available from November 1st. Three more channels, CNBC, Japan's NHK World Premium, and CNN, will be introduced during November, while Sky News Arabia will follow in the coming months. The highlight of the sports coverage are the final three races of the Formula 1 season, with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix held this Sunday, November 3rd, at Yas Marina Circuit, as well as the U.S. Grand Prix on Sunday, November 17th, and the Brazil Grand Prix on Sunday, November 24th. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' Chief Commercial Officer, said, "We are delighted to broadcast this weekend's Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on many of our aircraft, ensuring that passengers who are flying on race day won't miss any of the action from Yas Marina Circuit." In addition to the Formula 1 racing, 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 football matches, and Euroleague Basketball. The major sports coverage continues into 2014 with the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open tennis championships, the Winter Olympics from Sochi, the Masters from Augusta and Ryder Cup golf, and the FIFA World Cup from Brazil. Baumgartner added, "In-flight entertainment is a key part of the guest travel experience and the introduction of 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." All eight news and sport channels will be available on 21 Etihad Airways wide-body aircraft by November 7th, which will increase to 37 wide-body aircraft by the end of 2014.