This airline has no premium economy, but this is the next best thing

The airline: Etihad, codeshare with Air France

• Route Sydney to Abu Dhabi, AF3822 or EY455 (codeshare with Air France)
• Frequency Daily
• Aircraft B777-300
• Class Economy extra legroom, deluxe fare, seat 24C (aisle)
• Flight time 14 hours 30 minutes

Etihad plans to phase out its Boeing 777s over the next few years.

Checking in

I love an evening flight. Sydney International Airport tends to be less frenetic as the day winds down, and staff are beginning to relax after a long work day. The queue whittles swiftly and check-in is hassle-free.

Baggage

My Deluxe fare allows 40kg of luggage, with a maximum single-bag weight of 32kg. I can also take one carry-on bag weighing no more than 7kg and measuring up to 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.

Loyalty scheme

Etihad Guest. Members of Air France’s Flying Blue loyalty program can earn points on codeshare flights. Closer to home, members of Virgin Australia’s Velocity program can earn points with Etihad but the arrangement will cease on June 1 (in the wake of Etihad rival Qatar Airways taking a stake in Virgin).

The seat

Etihad’s extra legroom seats have 4.5 inches more room than standard economy.

24C, in the extra legroom section at the front of the 3-4-3-configured economy cabin. My son is in 24A, and the seat between us is empty. Passengers can bid for a neighbour-free seat up to 72 hours before departure, and Deluxe fareholders can select an extra legroom seat free of charge and subject to availability. They’re not as roomy as other airlines’ premium economy seats, but the extra space means my 191-centimetre son is able to fly without grazing his knees. The seat pitch is a reasonable 36 inches (91cm), and the width 17 inches (94 cm). That compares with 31.5 inches (80 cm) in a standard economy seat.

Entertainment + tech

Etihad has no premium economy class.Credit: Alamy

Power point, USB point and screen control are all within easy reach on the seatback. However the USB is temperamental, and I have to press firmly to activate the touchscreen. There’s a profusion of movies, documentaries, TV shows, albums and games to choose from. I enjoy leafing through the in-flight magazine, Atlas, which inspires wanderlust with features on Bali, Istanbul and European beaches.

Service

The flight departs half an hour late, but as soon as the “seatbelts off” bell dings the flight attendants are out of their jumpseats and serving dinner and drinks. There’s always someone patrolling the aisle with a jug of water or trays of snacks whenever I rouse from my intermittent slumber.

Food

Three dinner options are offered on Etihad’s flights. Tonight’s choices are lamb with rice, tomato and basil pasta, and chicken with potatoes and veggies. I select the latter; the spuds are somewhat dry, but the accompanying barley and pumpkin salad – which seems to be a fixture on the rotating menu – is unctuous (recipe, please?) and the glass of chardonnay smooth. A tasty cheese, spring onion and tomato relish sandwich rolls around with other snacks in the early hours, and breakfast is served at the appropriate hour of 8.30am Sydney time. I’m not partial to airline scrambled eggs so go for the custard-smothered chocolate bread - a devilish brekkie which I justify by subsequently consuming the fresh fruit and yoghurt. Airline calories don’t count, I’ve been told.

Sustainability

There’s still too much plastic on the meal trays, but Etihad is committed to reducing the material as part of its waste management plan.* That said …

One more thing

The bag containing earplugs, eye mask and a tube of hand cream doubles as a tote.

… everyone in economy gets a geometric-patterned bag containing earplugs, eye mask and a tube of luscious Beekman hand cream. The bag doubles as a tote - handy for overseas shopping and a step towards reducing the proliferation of single-use receptacles.

The price

From $2049 return to Paris for basic economy (which does not include a checked baggage allowance - $30 extra). For an extra legroom seat it’s $2527 return.**

The verdict

The discomforts of a long-haul economy class flight can’t be escaped, but Etihad eases the marathon with its extra legroom seats, foodie distractions, extensive entertainment library and deferential service.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.

The writer flew as a guest of Viking. See vikingcruises.com.au; etihad.com/en-au

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