READER REVIEW: Etihad A380 Business class London to Abu Dhabi

Today’s article is by regular contributor, reader David.

This sector from London was my first flight in Etihad‘s A-380 Business Class.

Boarding

Boarding was properly organised, by which I mean that an entirely separate boarding gate is used at T4 for First and Business class passengers. Greatly appreciated. I noticed that First passengers were personally escorted through the Fast Track Security lane, a nice touch.

Once on board, there is a lounge forward of the first of the two cabins, but as I went straight to sleep after eating, I wasn’t able to sample its delights.

Slippers and a rolled blanket are in the footwell of your seat, while a rather odd mattress/seat protector which is supposed to be unfurled and ‘hung’ over the head cushion is also provided.

On the LHR to AUH sector there was a rather uninspiring vanity bag with measly toiletries from ESPA (hand and body lotion, 20ml, lip treatment, 5ml, face mist, 10ml, a small toothbrush, earplugs and a face mask).

Cabin crew

The staff were super-attentive in that Qatar-esque way that we’ve all come to love over the years, although they somewhat gabble when introducing themselves, so that I had no idea what my delightful attendant was called. Name badges generally seemed to be in short supply, obscured for the most part, on the girls at least, by the end of a scarf.

Similarly, the Captain’s pre-pushback announcement was rushed and largely inaudible, and after the Purser had finished telling us about the WIFi on board I was none the wiser as to whether it was free for Etihad Guest members or not. It is, but you have to remember your password before a third attempt with an incorrect one, or the system will lock you out.

Cabin and seat

Initial impressions of the cabin – my seat was on the upper deck – were underwhelming, with too much dark brown and somewhat tired looking leather for my liking. This was at least partly because of the late evening departure (21.50), but to my mind there remains an element of drabness about the cabin, even in daylight.

However, the seat itself impressed. Etihad’s Business class cabins have a 1-2-1 configuration, which means that EY can be relatively generous with the dimensions of each seat; none of that hideous clambering over other passengers to reach it, such as with the old BA ying/yang product. Some of the sockets and mini-cupboards are not especially convenient to reach, being behind you, but that is a minor quibble. There’s even an old-fashioned on-board magazine, ‘Atlas’, which on my flight had an interesting warts-and-all article about the writer’s recent holiday in Bali, and an up-to-date route network map.

If you are lucky enough to have a forward facing seat, your head and upper body are closest to the window rather than away from it at an angle, which is important for nerds like me who like nothing better than gazing down at the ground from a height, while checking that the engine(s) are still attached and the wings flexing reassuringly, and marvelling at the technology involved in getting an aircraft off the ground and keeping it airborne.

There is – literally, which is at first somewhat disconcerting – a moving map showing the aircraft’s routing, arrival time etc, where the on-screen plane rushes across the screen and completes the journey to Abu Dhabi in around fifteen seconds, and there is the obligatory mention of Mecca, and the rather odd wording ‘Prayer Time Location . . . Time until Prayer’ towards the bottom of the screen. Oh well, reassuring perhaps to feel cosseted by the divine, as one climbs to 37,000 feet, I suppose.

Food and drink

I thought the food offering was good to outstanding, but of course it is hard to do dinner justice at around 11pm London time, as tiredness begins to intrude. I slept like a baby after eating, so wasn’t able to sample the breakfast offering – I’d left it so late before landing that an espresso in a paper cup was all that I was able to be served.

The ‘signature’ lemon with mint drink was delicious, and the orange juice was of premium quality; I eschewed alcohol on this sector, although the rosé looked especially tempting, to judge by its description in the onboard menu.

Transiting in Abu Dhabi

I had an onward flight to Bangkok – was a breeze, with liquids allowed to remain in hand luggage, belts not really an issue, and insignificant queues in the Transit area. The airport is, of course, vast, but signage is good and there are extremely charming staff loitering by the departure board screens to assist and point you in the right direction. Due to the airport terminal’s ‘radial’ design, there are none of those seemingly interminable bus transfers to and from aircraft parked halfway to Europe.

I found myself in the Pearl Lounge, which had no runway or apron views, and a limited food offering. The croissants were sub-standard – you’ll find better nowadays in your Sainsbury’s Local – and the scrambled egg, while perfectly cooked and perfectly fresh, was lukewarm. I did not take a shower so cannot comment on those facilities.

Conclusion 

On balance, I still prefer Qatar or Emirates (both with better toiletries, a more sumptuous feel to their cabins, a much better entertainment system, and a more diligent approach to cabin discipline and safety) but I’d give Etihad, based on my admittedly limited experience, 7 out of 10. Wonderfully attentive, and, it seemed, experienced, staff at every stage.