One of the most luxurious carriers in the world, Etihad Airways regularly ranks high among international airlines each year for their attention to detail. From entering the airport to leaving the aircraft, travellers aboard Etihad often laud the passenger experience as one of the best in the world.
This is everything you need to know about Etihad Airways, and why you might want to book your next trip with them when flying to Abu Dhabi.
Why you should consider Etihad
No matter how you measure it, Etihad Airways is considered one of the most luxurious airlines in the skies. The TravelPlus Awards gave the airline a five-star rating while Skytrax gives the airline a four-star rating, putting them among the top carriers in the world for their experience both at their home airport of Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) and in flights.
Across all cabins, the airline earns top marks for their pre-flight experience, seat comfort, cleanliness, in-flight entertainment package, and Wi-Fi service. Even base members of the Etihad Guest loyalty programme can get access to basic chat service throughout the flight, allowing them to stay connected via text message, WhatsApp, and other messaging services.
Etihad fare classes and pricing
Depending on what aircraft you are aboard, Etihad offers up to four classes of service. From the ultra-exclusive Residence to economy class, each section offers a unique passenger experience tailored with their unique brand of hospitality.
The Residence
Only available on the airline’s four Airbus A380s, The Residence is Etihad’s top-of-the-line option. Designed for up to two travellers, those starting in Abu Dhabi get a chauffeured ride to the airport, where they are greeted by an airline agent. They will guide you to the private check-in and your private suite in the lounge.
After choosing to board first or last, a butler will show you and your guest to a three-room suite at the front of the aircraft. Consisting of a living space, a bedroom, and a private bathroom and shower, The Residence offers the highest levels of both comfort and privacy. An onboard chef will provide your meals onboard from a full menu and wine list, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and at what time.
When it’s time to rest, a double bed awaits travellers for a restful sleep. Although the bed is made before you board, the staff will be more than happy to provide a turndown at your request.
Etihad First Class
Etihad’s First Class is an experience that’s second-to-none. After checking in at the private desk and clearing security, passengers will be whisked to the lounge for an exclusive dining experience.
Onboard, guests have their own private recliner suite that converts into a private bed. Enjoy a drink from the private cooler, followed by a meal from the onboard chef’s extensive à la carte menu.
As with The Residence, guests will get the same amenity kit and in-flight entertainment options. You can also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi for one device during your flight.
Etihad Business Class
Etihad Business Class offers the right level of compromise between luxury and frugality, accessible to any traveller. Start with a trip to the business class lounge before boarding in your own semi-private space. Each row has one seat by the windows, and two in the middle (a divider can be raised in the middle seats for extra privacy).
When you feel hungry, select meals from an à la carte menu featuring both traditional Emirati dishes and contemporary favourites. On the widebody international flights, each seat converts to a private bed with a memory foam mattress.
Although internet access isn’t complimentary, travellers can choose to purchase a Wi-Fi package to cover a portion of the trip or the entire flight.
Etihad Economy Class
When travelling to Abu Dhabi, my trips are often in the economy cabin. Despite the 17.5 inch-wide standard seats with between 31 and 33 inches of pitch, the economy cabin can be comfortable with the right seat selection.
Travellers can select from several ‘upgrades’ in the economy cabin to make travel a little easier. The bulkhead seats are located directly behind the dividing wall between economy and business class; these seats offer more legroom than standard economy. These are personally my favourite places to sit, as they offer more overall comfort than regular economy seats.
Behind the bulkhead seats are the ‘extra legroom’ seats. Comparable to ‘economy plus’ seats, they offer at least three inches more legroom than the rest of the cabin. These seats can be selected for free when you purchase a ‘Deluxe’ economy fare.
If you want to have a little extra shoulder room, you can bid on a ‘Neighbour Free’ seat. Where available, travellers can pay to leave up to three neighbouring seats unoccupied. This option opens 72 hours before a flight and is only guaranteed after a bid is accepted.
Unlike the forward cabins, flyers can’t select what to dine on and when from an in-flight menu. Instead, economy travellers will get a choice of options, including a vegetarian option, with dining at pre-set times.
My only complaint is that flyers are only allowed one carry-on bag in economy, weighing less than 7 kg in the standard carry-on size (56 x 36 x 23 cm). This means everything – including laptops, tablets, and anything else – must fit in the carry-on.
The Etihad lounge experience
For Etihad, the experience begins in the lounge for flyers in The Residence, First Class, Business Class, or with elite status. While Abu Dhabi offers three different lounges, additional business lounges can be found in London and Washington, D.C. In New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, Etihad shares a space with the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club.
Abu Dhabi First Class lounge
Considered a ‘lounge within a lounge’, the First Class Lounge is Etihad’s top pre-flight experience. Complimentary for those flying in The Residence and First Class, travellers enter the lounge through a private lobby and lift.
Once in the lounge, guests are welcome to have a meal in their dining room, featuring a full menu of international foods and wines. In The Parlour, travellers can enjoy a snack at afternoon tea, including chocolates and pastries. A wide variety of seating is available, ranging from deep comfortable seats to loungers.
If you want to experience the First Class lounge without a premium ticket, Etihad travellers can purchase a day pass when they are available.
Business Class lounge
The Etihad Business Class lounges offer a warm area to relax before a flight. As an Etihad Guest Silver elite, I always make time to stop here with complimentary access to the lounge.
In addition to a buffet with global foods, Business Class travellers at Zayed International Airport can enjoy a drink in the rooftop Constellation Bar (my favourite spot). When it’s time to freshen up after a meal and drinks, guests can book time in one of 18 shower suites before the flight.
Indulging in fine food and beverages or getting work done isn’t the only way to pass the time in the lounge. You can also enjoy the games room with foosball tables, air hockey, and video games, while children can play in the multi-sensorial family room.
Abu Dhabi U.S. Premium Lounge
If you’re on a flight to one of Etihad’s U.S. destinations, there’s one last place to get away from everything after passing through U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Abu Dhabi. The U.S. Premium Lounge offers travellers a space to relax pre-flight.
Designed with business travellers in mind, this lounge offers a last stop to get a light bite, drinks, and finish tasks before boarding your flight.
The Etihad Guest loyalty programme
Anyone who is a frequent traveller aboard Etihad across the globe will want to consider joining their loyalty programme, Etihad Guest. Earn miles when flying Etihad and their partner airlines, which can be used for free flights and merchandise.
The primary way to earn miles is through flying aboard Etihad, or further through one of their 23 partner airlines. The number of points you can earn is based on which airline you are travelling on and the ticket class.
Etihad Guest offers five tiers in their elite programme. At Bronze, travellers can start collecting miles and get free chatting on the in-flight Wi-Fi. The first tier up is Silver, with a dedicated check-in desk in Abu Dhabi and guaranteed economy seats when booked at least 48 hours in advance. As a Silver elite, using the dedicated check-in desk is a major time saver.
The Gold and Platinum tiers offer even more benefits, including priority check-in, fast-track immigration queues, and priority boarding on the flight. While Gold members can select their seats for themselves and a guest for free, Platinum guests can select seats for themselves and three others on their itinerary. They also get free in-flight internet, and Business Lounge access for themselves and one guest.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up to date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
