Fast take: Fashionable seats, high-end facilities, on-demand connoisseur meals and wonderful service all set Etihad enterprise class aside from the pack.
Professionals
- Closing doorways make Etihad’s newest business-class seats appear ultraprivate.
- Excessive-tech touches embody wi-fi charging pads and Bluetooth connectivity.
- They supply refined providers and facilities like on-demand eating, Armani Casa serviceware and Acqua di Parma amenity kits.
Cons
- Enterprise class is in a single, massive cabin, so service within the again rows may take noticeably longer.
- The airline’s U.S. preclearance lounge in Abu Dhabi might use some updates.
- No pajamas are supplied, so deliver your personal.
Becoming a member of the rising group of airways which have adopted suite-style business-class seats with closing doorways, Etihad unveiled its newest business-class seats aboard the Airbus A350-1000 again in March 2022.
The airline started working A350 flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) in July of that yr, giving U.S.-based vacationers one more wonderful possibility for transiting to numerous corners of the globe by way of the Center East. Since then, Etihad has begun flying its A350s to Chicago’s O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD) as properly.
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Whereas sliding doorways present passengers with an additional degree of inflight privateness, the suites additionally function high-tech options like leisure techniques with Bluetooth connectivity and wi-fi charging pads. Stylish finishes like stylized sconce lighting, fake marble surfaces and Acqua di Parma facilities and Armani Casa serviceware additionally elevate the expertise.
I redeemed American Airways AAdvantage miles to fly from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Worldwide Airport in Mumbai (BOM) to Chicago by way of Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport (AUH) in September so I might take a look at out Etihad enterprise class for myself. This is all the things it’s worthwhile to know to e book Etihad enterprise class and how one can take advantage of the expertise on board.
How a lot does it price to e book Etihad enterprise class?
How a lot it prices to e book Etihad enterprise class will rely in your origin and vacation spot, in addition to whether or not you are flying one-way or round-trip.
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Spherical-trip tickets from the assorted U.S. airports the place Etihad operates — that are simply O’Hare, JFK and Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD) for the time being — to Abu Dhabi begin at round $5,600 over the following a number of months. Should you’re flying by way of Abu Dhabi to a different vacation spot, the airfare can fluctuate even additional. As an example, I used to be touring between Mumbai and Chicago, and airfares on that route begin at round $4,200 round-trip over the following a number of months.
Etihad is companions with American Airways, so you possibly can redeem AAdvantage miles for award tickets on Etihad flights. Award tickets in enterprise class on Etihad from the U.S. to both the Center East or the Indian subcontinent begin at 70,000 miles every method, which TPG values at about $1,050, plus taxes and charges.
Wanting simply on the route I used to be on between Chicago and Mumbai, here is how a lot you possibly can count on to pay in both money or miles for a round-trip ticket on Etihad.
| Class | Economic system | Enterprise class |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare | $1,019-$2,879 | $4,171-$6,921 |
| American AAdvantage miles | 80,000 + $71 taxes/charges | 140,000 miles + $71 taxes/charges |
Should you’re trying to refill on American Airways AAdvantage miles, you may wish to take into account the next bank cards:
The knowledge for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose, CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Choose, American Airways AAdvanatge MileUp, AAdvantage Aviator Purple and the AAdvantage Aviator Enterprise playing cards has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Etihad business-class passengers can choose seats totally free, although if you happen to e book an award by way of a accomplice program like American AAdvantage, you may need to name Etihad instantly to pick out or change seats. Though I had my Etihad affirmation quantity, as an illustration, I couldn’t change my seats on-line and needed to name.
The airline supplies a helpful baggage allowance calculator on its web site, however business-class passengers on the airline’s long-haul flights between India or the Center East and the U.S. can deliver a private merchandise of as much as 5 kilograms (11 kilos), a carry-on bag of as much as 12 kilograms (26 kilos) and two checked luggage of as much as 32 kilograms (70 kilos).
Checking in to and boarding Etihad enterprise class
Etihad business-class passengers can make the most of the next precedence providers on the airport.
| Precedence check-in | Sure |
|---|---|
| Lounge entry | Sure, Etihad and accomplice lounges |
| Does the airline take part in TSA PreCheck? | Sure |
| Precedence boarding | Sure, in Group 1 after preboarding |
My Etihad business-class expertise comprised two flights. The primary was from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi, departing at 9:55 p.m. and arriving in Abu Dhabi two hours, 55 minutes later at 11:20 p.m. My second flight from Abu Dhabi to Chicago departed at 2:45 a.m. and arrived in Chicago 14 hours, 55 minutes later, at 8:40 a.m.
On the airport in Mumbai, I had entry to the business-class check-in desks, and there have been no different passengers ready, so inside about 90 seconds, I received my boarding go and a go to the Adani Enterprise Lounge, which is Etihad’s accomplice facility on the airport.
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After immigration and safety, an airport escort took me on to the lounge, the place I used to be greeted by identify and escorted to a seating space of my selecting — there have been varied dwelling room-style vignettes, a cafe-style space with a buffet, a high-top bar and a quiet zone for rest.
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I used to be handled to a complimentary 30-minute foot therapeutic massage with a view of the lounge’s dwelling wall (they’re out there on a first-come, first-served foundation) earlier than taking a gathering on Zoom utilizing the free Wi-Fi. As a result of I had not one however two flights in retailer, I abstained from a glass of Moet & Chandon Champagne.
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I additionally skipped the buffet, which included each hot and cold dishes corresponding to varied finger sandwiches and desserts, chilly cuts and cheese, bread and Center Japanese dips and a few Indian specialties, although they seemed scrumptious.
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About 45 minutes earlier than my flight, my escort was again on the lounge entrance to take me, by way of electrical cart, to my gate, the place boarding was about to begin.
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I am going to skip forward to my Abu Dhabi flight to speak in regards to the expertise there earlier than detailing what awaited me on board.
Regardless of my late-night arrival and early-morning departure in Abu Dhabi, the airport was bustling. I made my technique to the U.S. preclearance facility, the place my International Entry got here in helpful for skipping a brief line and getting by way of customs and immigration shortly. I really like the truth that you possibly can preclear customs right here slightly than having to take action after touchdown within the U.S. because it meant I might make a quick connection time in Chicago.
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The devoted lounge facility on this a part of the airport is on the best way to the gates, so I popped in for a fast go searching. The lounge is on the small facet, however has a buffet with plastic-wrapped objects like rooster masala and grilled vegetable sandwiches, beef chimichurri with child potato salad, fruit bowls and croissants, in addition to a full bar and self-serve espresso machines.
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About 50 minutes earlier than departure, I made my technique to the gate space so I might be among the many first to board.
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On a facet notice, Abu Dhabi has since opened its Midfield Terminal A with plans to maneuver most operations there, the place Etihad additionally has new lounges. It is not but clear whether or not the U.S. preclearance facility may even migrate over there.
How snug was Etihad enterprise class?
Etihad’s Airbus A350-1000s have 44 business-class pods organized in 11 rows of 4 seats throughout in a 1-2-1 sample.
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All of the seats are in a single, massive cabin. Whereas some may really feel this creates a much less unique atmosphere, I appreciated the open and ethereal really feel of the cabin, which was heightened due to the dearth of overhead bins operating down the center of the cabin (there was nonetheless loads of area for everybody’s carry-on luggage).
As for the seats themselves, listed below are the format and dimensions.
| Variety of seats | 44 |
|---|---|
| Cabin format | 1-2-1 |
| Seat recline | 79 inches, totally flat |
| Seat width | 22 inches (27 with the armrest down) |
| Display screen dimension | 18 1/2 inches |
These seats are personalized Collins Aerospace Tremendous Diamond fashions, which could look acquainted as a result of it is the identical framework British Airways chosen for its Membership Suites. Etihad can be putting in suite-style business-class seats on a batch of latest Boeing 787 Dreamliners, although these are barely totally different.
Etihad’s A350-1000 business-class seats are organized in a reverse-herringbone sample, so the seats on the perimeters are angled towards the home windows whereas the pairs within the center are angled towards each other.
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That makes the facet seats nice for solo vacationers, whereas these flying with a companion may go for center seats, which even have privateness dividers in case you want some alone time.
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| Finest seats for solo vacationers | A and Ok seats |
|---|---|
| Finest seats for {couples} | D and G seats |
The seats have trendy touches like brown upholstery and leather-based headrests in addition to faux-marble finishes on their facet consoles.
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Stylized sconce lights have gold-toned fretwork shells whose patterns are supposed to evoke Abu Dhabi’s swaying palms. Subsequent to the lamp, there’s a type of clip holding the menu for the flight and a knob for hanging headphones, after which subsequent to that could be a small flip-out studying gentle.
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Seats have a shoulder strap that flight attendants instruct passengers to hook into the seat belt for security throughout takeoff and touchdown, however throughout flight, you possibly can simply use the waist belt portion.
Due to the A350’s next-generation LED lighting, the cabin illumination is ready in a sequence to assist reduce jet lag, dimming step by step as passengers drift off to sleep, as an illustration, and brightening subtly like a desert dawn earlier than the pre-descent meal is served in order that passengers get up extra gently.
Every seat is 22 inches large between armrests, although you possibly can decrease the aisle-side one to be degree with the seat cushion, providing you with 5 additional inches (it additionally contained a bottle of water).
The space between the seatback and the leisure display is 39 inches, which creates a way of area however nonetheless makes it simple to regulate the system as a touchscreen with out having to lean too far.
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The seat controls are situated alongside the facet console within the type of a touchscreen that means that you can decrease and lift each the leg relaxation and the backrest of the seat to your personal private very best place. There are additionally three preset place buttons: upright for takeoff and touchdown, lounge mode stress-free and lie-flat.
There’s additionally a button to regulate the seat’s lighting and one other to extinguish it altogether. The seat has each ambient lighting and overhead lighting if you’d like one thing just a little brighter to work or learn with, and you may management these with the hand-held distant docked in one of many console cubbies, in addition to use it to name the flight attendants.
Beneath the controls was a slender leather-based armrest that didn’t transfer however was snug to lean on.
As talked about, one of many particular options of those pods is the truth that they’ve doorways for privateness that slide out from the facet of their shells. There’s a 5-inch hole between the bottom and the underside of the door, and the door itself is 36 inches excessive, so it would not get wherever close to the cabin ceiling, but it surely nonetheless supplies a way of seclusion when shut. For much more privateness, you possibly can interact a do-not-disturb indicator by way of the leisure display or distant.
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The flight attendants lock the doorways into their open place for takeoff and touchdown, then come by way of the cabin at cruising altitude to unlock them so passengers can open and shut them on their very own. These had been very simple to make use of, sliding open and shutting easily.
When opened, there’s a area of 17 inches between the armrest and the previous seat’s shell by way of which you’ll enter or exit the seat, which makes it simple to entry the aisle.
On the alternative facet of the seat (alongside the window within the facet seats and within the center for heart seats) is a console with a faux-marble end that is 10 inches at its widest.
On the finish closest to the leisure is a wi-fi charging pad that labored nice with my iPhone 13, if slowly, juicing up my battery at about 1% each three minutes.
Subsequent to that, you possibly can pop open two compartments. One is small and shallow and good for small objects like a pockets or glasses. The opposite is barely deeper and accommodates the touchscreen distant for the IFE system, a headphone jack and a common AC plug.
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Each USB-A and USB-C ports are embedded in a leg-side compartment, which might make them just a little exhausting to seek out, but it surely does assist maintain stray wires out of the best way and it is good to have each port sorts.
A bi-fold desk in darkish wooden grain slides out from beneath the leisure display and measures 17 1/2 inches large and 16 1/2 inches lengthy, so it is a very massive floor with loads of room for a laptop computer. For the reason that desk is on a observe, it is also handy to roll it ahead or again in order that it is simpler to get out and in of the seat.
The seat reclines to a completely flat mattress that is 79 inches lengthy, and the footwell on the finish is 16 inches large, 12 inches excessive and 5 inches deep (although in actuality, it is deeper for the reason that chair connects to it in lie-flat mode). Whereas I used to be snug shifting from one facet to the opposite, these with massive ft may really feel barely restricted. The seat’s cushioning was thick and tender, which made it very snug, and the pillow-turned-mattress pad meant it was good not having to sleep instantly on the seat’s floor.
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Total Etihad’s A350 business-class seats really feel upscale and glossy, however nonetheless comfortable. I simply want they’d extra storage compartments for issues like a laptop computer or small digital system so you did not have to maintain yours within the overhead. Though the cabin doesn’t have particular person air nozzles over passengers’ seats, the crews on each my flights saved the temperature comfortably cool all through.
Etihad’s A350-1000s have 4 toilets for business-class passengers, two on the entrance of the cabin close to the jet’s smaller galley and two in the back of the cabin close to the galley that separates enterprise class from economic system. That quantities to an 11:1 passenger-to-lavatory ratio, which is fairly low, however economic system passengers nip into the again ones, so that you may discover a wait at sure instances, like after takeoff or earlier than touchdown. That stated, the flight attendants saved all of them spotless all through the flight.
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Etihad’s toilets are very sharp, with mosaic-style tiling on the ground and backsplash, black counter tops, darkish wood-grain drawers and dramatic lighting. I particularly appreciated the no-touch sink and bathroom flush in addition to the hand sanitizer and Acqua di Parma lotion supplied.
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Facilities in Etihad enterprise class
The facilities on board my two flights assorted barely as the primary from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi was just below three hours, whereas the one from Abu Dhabi to Chicago was one of many airline’s longer routes.
On the primary flight, I boarded to see seats stocked with medium-size geometrically patterned pillows and grey Armani Casa blankets that had been cottony on one facet and fleece on the opposite. Menus had been ready within the seat-side clip, however flight attendants got here by way of passing out headphones to those that wished them. No amenity kits had been supplied.
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On my second, longer flight, seats had been provisioned with patterned lumbar pillows, which became mattress pads, and bigger, tender pillows for sleeping in addition to bigger grey Armani Casa duvets with no fleece floor.
I additionally noticed a slim yellow Acqua di Parma amenity equipment.
It contained:
- Acqua di Parma hand cream
- A sampler of Acqua di Parma “Futura” cologne
- A dental equipment
- Sanitizing hand wipes
- Socks
- Eye masks
- Hand sanitizer
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I discovered the headphones within the armrest with the bottle of water, and flight attendants supplied foam earplugs to those that wished them.
Sadly, the airline doesn’t supply passengers pajamas, so I had introduced my very own garments to sleep in. There are not any slippers, both, which suggests it’s a must to put your footwear on to go to the bathroom after which take them again off once more. Not onerous by any means, however one thing the airline may take into account including.
The seats’ leisure screens are 18 1/2 inches throughout diagonally and ultracrisp. You possibly can management them both with the distant or as touchscreens themselves.
The content material was very updated, with new releases like “Avatar: The Method of Water,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Quantity 3” and “The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film.” There was additionally a big number of tv collection, together with a particular part for HBO Max releases, plus music albums sorted by style and a smattering of dwell TV channels like CNN and BBC Information.
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The leisure system was properly stocked and simple to navigate, and I appreciated the highest bar exhibiting the flight progress in case I misplaced observe of the time. Whereas the noise-canceling headphones the airline presents are fundamental, passengers can hyperlink their very own Bluetooth headsets to the system and use them as a substitute.
Etihad presents varied Wi-Fi packages. On my longer flight, you possibly can buy a text-only go for $4.99 or a full-flight “Browsing” go with limitless information for $19.99. I chosen the latter, was in a position to join shortly and located first rate speeds of over 14Mbps obtain and a couple of.57Mbps add; ok to e-mail, browse the net and even add some images, albeit slowly.
Professional tip: Create an account while you’re buying your Wi-Fi go so that you could simply change service between units.
How was the meals in Etihad enterprise class?
Etihad presents dine-on-demand service in enterprise class. Nonetheless, my first flight was brief and departed simply after native meal time, so the menu was titled “After Take-Off” and everybody was served directly.
Earlier than that occurred, although, flight attendants got here by way of the cabin providing passengers a selection of Champagne or juice and introduced me a glass of glowing water once I requested one.
As soon as the aircraft door was closed, they got here by way of to take everybody’s order for a post-departure beverage and the meal.
The menu selections included:
- A starter of dahi bhaila creamy dip with mint and chutney
- Tandoori raan (lamb) with gravy, sukha bhutta palak curry and butter naan
- Zaffrani paneer tikka with inexperienced pea pulao, sukha bhatta palak, tandoori broccoli and dal makhani lentils
- Candy boondi with saffron and cardamom malai for dessert
The wine selections included:
- Devaux Grande Reserve Brut non-vintage Champagne
- Escudo Rojo Reserva Chardonnay from Chile
- Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand
- Chateau des Landes Merlot from Bordeaux
- Two Palms “Gnarly Dudes” Shiraz from Australia
There was additionally a wide array of different drinks together with each glowing and nonetheless waters, 4 varieties of fruit juice, Coca-Cola, Sprite and different tender drinks, a full espresso and tea menu plus loads of spirits together with Chivas Regal 18-year-old whisky, The Botanist gin and Gray Goose vodka.
The crew introduced drinks and warmed nuts out about 20 minutes after takeoff, and handed by way of the cabin refilling drinks yet one more time earlier than the meal service, which began 40 minutes after that.
Every little thing got here on a single tray, and I used to be served a plate with roti and butter together with the remainder of the meal and a glass of the Bordeaux.
Though easy, the presentation was lovely due to the Armani Casa plates, cutlery and glasses, all of which had a really up to date and glossy look, and the lamb was tender and flavorful.
I completed in about 20 minutes and my tray was cleared instantly so I might get just a little nap in earlier than touchdown.
On my longer flight to Chicago, flight attendants handed by way of the cabin at common intervals providing passengers predeparture drinks together with Champagne, water, orange juice and lemon-mint juice.
Throughout taxi, the crew additionally got here to ask every passenger in the event that they’d wish to dine after takeoff or go proper to sleep. Most passengers appeared to wish to keep up, as did I, although they might dine anytime they wished due to the airline’s coverage.
The menu on this flight was extra intensive, together with each “all-day” and “a la carte” sections, which I took to imply snacks and a lightweight pre-landing meal for the previous and a heartier post-departure meal for the latter.
The a la carte menu included the next selections:
- Arabic mezze
- Poached salmon tartar with cranberry relish and fried capers over rye crostini
- Purple pepper soup with candy corn salsa and tarragon oil
- Braised beef shortribs with carrot puree, roasted celeriac and balsamic-glazed pearl onions
- Seared sea bream filet with white bean and walnut over kale with orange butter
- Savory rooster foga over rice with mint yogurt and dakous tomato sauce
- Paneer mutter with quinoa kofta because the vegetarian dish
- A cheese plate
- Heat almond and cherry pudding in vanilla sauce
- Marble cheesecake with strawberries
- A fruit plate
- Haagen-Dazs ice cream
The all-day menu included:
- Numerous pastries
- Cereal
- Muesli with yogurt and berries
- Vanilla pancakes with caramelized banana and strawberry
- A steak sandwich with Emmental cheese and pink onion chutney
- A cheddar-cheese omelet with herb rooster sausages, halloumi and asparagus rosti
- Assorted samosa
- Snacks like chips, cookies and baklava
The wine record on this flight included the identical choices as my first one plus a number of extras like:
- Ken Forrester “Terre Noire” Chenin Blanc from South Africa
- Alto Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa
- DeBortoli “Noble One” fortified Semillon from Australia
- Graham’s 10-year-old Tawny Port
I chosen the mezze together with the Chenin Blanc for my starter and it was served with a small, recent facet salad and quite a lot of bread, each rolls and pita. For my major, I had the rooster with the Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a pleasant, spicy pairing.
After which I attempted the almond-cherry pudding for dessert, which was heat and fluffy however not overly candy.
The complete meal service took simply over two hours into the flight, which might have gone faster. However given the size of time we had been within the air, it was a great way to go a while and keep awake.
After dinner, I received a strong 9 hours of sleep (it had been a protracted journey day), then ordered a cappuccino earlier than asking for the omelet, which was scrumptious and served with heat pastries together with a ache au chocolat.
I had loads of time to clean up and dress once more earlier than touchdown in Chicago.
As for the service — on each my flights, the crew was merely exemplary. Not solely had been there two devoted flight attendants per aisle, however the cabin managers and pursers frequently got here by way of to assist with service, have heat, informal conversations with passengers and customarily be sure that people had something they wanted.
For instance, the passenger sitting in entrance of me on my long-haul flight appeared to be having a well being situation with lengthy bouts of very loud coughing, and the flight attendant who was taking care of me requested if I wish to transfer to a quieter empty seat towards the again of the cabin after my meal for a extra peaceable relaxation. I actually appreciated that gesture and took him up on it, which meant a protracted, uninterrupted snooze and a way more nice flight.
The bottom employees in Abu Dhabi, together with airline representatives and lounge attendants I spoke with had been equally solicitous and useful, making for an easy-to-manage switch expertise and a nice time within the lounge between flights.
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Would you suggest Etihad enterprise class?
Etihad presents one of many world’s greatest business-class experiences, particularly with the brand new suite-style pods on its A350-1000s. The seats are glossy and personal due to closing doorways, and the Armani Casa blankets and serviceware give the expertise an elegant feeling.
Given the airline’s all-day, all-night flight scheduling, letting passengers dine on demand is a wonderful amenity, as are inexpensive Wi-Fi packages and high-tech leisure techniques. Though I want Etihad would supply better-stocked amenity kits and further touches like pajamas, the service, high-caliber delicacies and comfy seats make up for these shortcomings, and I might be desperate to fly the airline once more quickly.
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