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Etihad Airways B787 business class review part 1 – the flights

  • 08/04/2022
  • Michele

Today’s review is about Etihad business class by regular contributor Gus. Next week we will also take a look at another reader’s experience with Etihad recently. If you’d like to write a reader review for TLFL please email admin@ turningleftforless.com.

In this post:

  • Trying something new –  Etihad business class
  • Etihad business class Onboard experience 
  • Some food shortage, but no shortage of amenities
  • Etihad business class Seat and service
  •  
  • Easy arrivals
  • Return flight

Trying something new –  Etihad business class

Historically I’ve been a pretty solid OneWorld fanboy, but the pandemic has definitely challenged that, and I more recently I have found myself looking more at other carriers, and new ways to turn left for less..

So when an opportunity arose to head out to Abu Dhabi in business class on Etihad for a very fair price, I was quick to book. Return business from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi seems to usually come in at around £2k, but they have run sales where the same can be found for a little over £1k.

 

Etihad business class Onboard experience 

Etihad Business Class Onboarding Experience

My flight was from Heathrow’s Terminal 3 (review for lounges coming in part 2), but it was really only onboard that the indulgence started. While I was only able to glimpse at the famed Etihad First suites through the curtains – and sadly no Residence on the B787-9 – the business class ‘studio’ was very welcoming.

Etihad business class welcome drink

I’d chosen one of the forward-facing window seats for the added privacy, given it was a short night flight, but there didn’t seem to be too many ‘dud’ seats (unlike BA’s still-very-much-out-there Club World yin-yang seats). Before I’d even had much of a chance to check out the seat or settle in, I was being offered a menu, and a pre-departure drink of orange juice, water, or – a first for me – carrot juice. I went for the latter and actually, it made a nice change.

 

Some food shortage, but no shortage of amenities

The cabin was only about 20% full, but despite this, my first meal choice (beef) was already gone, so it was fish instead. In fairness, the fish was very good, but I am getting ahead of myself. Also at the seat was Etihad’s long-standing amenity pack from Acqua di Parma, which came in a sleek and roomy buttoned pouch, which included toothbrush, eye mask, hand cream, and a small cologne.

Etihad business class seat control
Etihad business class amenity kit
Etihad Amenity kit

Alongside this was a pandemic-fuelled second ‘Wellness’ pack, which included an antibacterial wipe, and a reusable snood. This was a nice touch, though it’s worth noting that I didn’t really see anyone use it, as clearly most were already masked up for their transit through the airport to the plane. There were no pyjamas or mattress/topper, but there was the usual (quite firm) pillow-cum-cushion, and decent quality blanket.

Etihad business class toiletries

Now, back to the food and drink. The fish was very succulent and well flavoured, and my morning omelette was very tasty too.

 Fish main course dinner
Fish main course dinner

I often have an issue with plane portion sizes, but there’s nothing a bit of bread, snacking, or boozing won’t help with! And speaking of which, the wine menu was generous, and pre-landing the cappuccino I ordered was properly done, and hit the spot.

Breakfast omelette
Breakfast omelette

 

Etihad business class Seat and service

Etihad business class seat
Etihad business class seat

 

I hear Etihad has decent onboard wifi, but I didn’t use it as I was too preoccupied by squeezing in a film before it got too late.

Etihad business class IFE Screen
Etihad business class IFE Screen

The seat itself was comfortable and spacious, with easy to use setting, and reasonably good storage options.

Etihad business class IFE Screen desk

The table was a bit chunky, but given the TV screen was crisp and wide, it all seemed to fit together rather well.

Etihad business class TV Screen

The crew (of 4) were friendly, polite, efficient, and attentive. But there was none of the ‘zing’ or engagement that can often make a solid crew a great crew (I’m hailing you here, BA), and all of the interactions were fairly fleeting and functional.

Etihad business class cabin

Etihad business class cabin look

 

Easy arrivals

On arrival, we were given fast track cards and headed to the terminal from our remote stand in buses (a different one for first and business class passengers). The now-not-necessary PCR experience was super simple, with results texted through in less than an hour from the swab being taken.

Arrival

 

Return flight

dinner
Dinner

The return journey was a much more full cabin, but wasn’t much different in experience. Although it was interesting that the pilot did call Etihad “the national airline of the UAE”. Overall my first Etihad business class experience was a really pleasant one. But this was largely thanks to a strong hard product on board, making up for a distinctly average lounge experience – and a distinctly sub-average app experience. In short, if the price is right, do it.

 breakfast
Breakfast

Like our Etihad Airways B787 business class review? You can read more flight reviews here. 

 

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Related Topics
  • etihad
Michele

Previous Article
  • News
  • Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

NEWS: Virgin Atlantic brings back pre-order and new onboard menus

  • 06/04/2022
  • Michele
View Post
Next Article
  • Etihad

REVIEW: Etihad business class review part 2 – lounges at Heathrow T3 and Abu Dhabi – arrival and departure lounges

  • 09/04/2022
  • Michele
View Post
2 comments
  1. Anthony Jackson says:
    08/04/2022 at 1:52 pm

    Thank you for the review – coincidentally I was looking at Etihad flights yesterday as they seem to be well priced at the moment. TBF the food looks pretty dreadful but I guess the seat is the most important thing.

  2. James Harper says:
    08/04/2022 at 9:22 pm

    Thank you for a good review. I always regard Etihad as the best of the ME3 and this bears it out.

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