Review: Etihad Airways business class
Under a starry ceiling twinkling with LED lights, the Middle East carrier gets put through its paces.
The flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates was recently named one of the most punctual carriers in the Middle East, while Skytrax gives it an overall four-star rating. Travel + Luxury senior contributing editor Christine McCabe tested out Etihad Airways’ business-class credentials on a popular route for Australians flying long-haul to Britain and Europe.
The details
● Flight Number EY455
● Route Departing Kingsford Smith Airport Sydney 8.20pm, arriving Abu Dhabi 4.30am (half an hour ahead of schedule).
● AircraftB777-300ER
● Seat numberBusiness Class 14C
● Flight time Scheduled 14 hours, 30 minutes
The seat
Business class is configured in a 1-2-1 format, so all passengers have immediate access to an aisle. The seat offers 185cm (73 inches) of pitch with a width of 51cm (20 inches) and converts to a fully flat bed. The seats are staggered, offering better privacy, and each pod has plenty of little storage nooks for phones, books, and spectacles. This is an older aircraft, and replaces the A380 with its swanky first-class apartments operated on this route pre-Covid. When connecting to Zurich on a newer Dreamliner (B787), the cabin improvements were noticeable; I particularly loved the cushion firmness facility adjustable on the touch screen. All the same, the B777 pod out of Sydney is comfy. Upon boarding, the seat is set to fly with pillow and duvet-style blanket, and a stylish Acqua di Parma leather wallet with socks, toothbrush, eye shades and Acqua di Parma samplers. Take a 3D tour here.
Tech talk
I’m resolutely “lo-fi” on long-haul flights. I pack a book, cashmere socks and wrap (inflight pyjamas seem to have gone the way of the dodo) and snuggle down with a glass of bubbles (in this case Duval-Leroy Brut Reserve). There’s a little console with USB inputs and a power outlet. The touch screen is augmented by a handheld control panel to navigate movies and so on, while reclining far from the TV. I love the starry ceiling, little LED lights that morph during the course of the flight, mimicking dusk then a night sky filled with twinkling constellations.
On the menu
Dinner is served after takeoff, but you can eat whenever you want. Meal service is on demand. The starter selection of Arabic mezze is very good, as is the chicken biryani, and though tempted by a crumble with custard, I just nod off. Emergency chocolates are left by my waterglass. No Australian wines on this leg, but a rather good Bordeaux. Bellini is the cocktail de jour and there’s a non-alcoholic version. There’s also a long list of all-day dining options if you’re not in the mood for a main meal. Perhaps a beef and mushroom pie or some Arabic baklava? And there are several breakfast options for those peckish before disembarking in the wee hours.
Entertainment
Video on demand is supplemented with 14 radio channels and a music library of more than 400 albums. Some new movies, nothing terribly thrilling, but with streaming so prevalent, this is of less importance these days. I did indulge in another viewing of House of Gucci, which proves perfect inflight entertainment. And there’s an excellent selection of global cinema: Bollywood, South Indian, Arabic, Chinese, German, French and Russian. I find TV series best on long flights; The Gilded Age helped the hours fly by.
Service
Service is outstanding and the highlight of this flight. The team is friendly and solicitous and swift to see to any request; a properly hot cup of tea arrives in the dead of night in moments. Despite most of the team being improbably tall and elegant, there’s zero attitude; the entire crew is on-point.
Covid requirements
An onboard wellness kit includes hand sanitiser and wipes, face mask and a handy antimicrobial “snood” that doubles as a washable and reusable mask. The airline provides more information here.
The verdict
Airlines are operating in a challenging environment, with staff shortages affecting service across the board. This was not evident on EY455, where the service was impeccable. I slept well and arrived refreshed. And if you’re planning a stopover in Abu Dhabi, the airline offers up to 50 per cent off four- and five-star hotel accommodation, or one or two nights free in selected three- and four-star hotels.
Christine McCabe was a guest of Etihad Airways.