Just a few years in the past Etihad Airways got down to streamline itself. After hitting exhausting occasions and operating into fierce competitors, it reduce routes, reduce prices, and invested in a extra fuel-efficient fleet. And earlier this 12 months Etihad introduced a long-awaited return to profitability. In order that a part of the transformation appears to be working.
However did the passenger expertise take successful from the airline’s belt-tightening? We had an opportunity to seek out whereas flying enterprise class on their 787-9 Dreamliner, a staple of their leaner long-haul fleet. Learn on for loads of images, movies, and opinions on the expertise. And on the finish of the story we have now some recent information about Etihad’s onboard product.
Arriving at Dulles
Our flight was in enterprise class from Washington D.C. to Abu Dhabi. I really like planespotting at Dulles, particularly from onboard these goofy “cellular lounge” buses.
Etihad’s Verified to Fly program lets you verify your COVID vaccine associated documentation prematurely, which scores you entry to a separate shorter check-in line. Undoubtedly make the most of if you happen to can — it may possibly imply main time financial savings on the airport.
The Etihad app is straightforward however nicely designed and offers loads of helpful options, like a timeline of your journey with info on check-in wait occasions.
The airline used to have its personal lounge at Dulles, and you may nonetheless see the doorway from the concourse, nevertheless it isn’t operational now. Premium cabin passengers get to make use of the Virgin Atlantic clubhouse close by.
Dulles’ Virgin Atlantic lounge stoked controversy lately for providing two tiers of service: solely primary self-serve meals for fancy bank card holders and higher made-to-order meals for premium cabin passengers. I used to be within the latter class this time, and had entry to all the good things.
The solar set and it was time to get onboard our Dreamliner, sporting Etihad’s beautiful livery.
Meet the Seat
Etihad’s Dreamliner enterprise class seat isn’t the most recent design, nevertheless it holds up nicely for its age. There’s a mixture of ahead and rearward-facing seats and everybody has direct aisle entry.
Some, however not all, of Etihad’s 787s even have a firstclass cabin. On these Dreamliners there’s two separate enterprise class cabins, a bigger one behind these doorways, and a mini-cabin sandwiched between the primary boarding door and the primary class cabin. I snagged a forward-facing window seat in that mini cabin, which felt particularly non-public and comfy. The seat in entrance of me was curtained and blocked off, in all probability as a crew relaxation area.
Which seats are finest? In case you’re a solo traveler, forward-facing window seats are the clear winner. They’re essentially the most non-public and are nearer to the home windows than the rearward-facing window seats.
{Couples} might just like the paired forward-facing seats within the heart part, although if you happen to’re flying solo (or get uninterested in your associate) you may elevate a divider that makes these seats extra non-public.
Rearward-facing seats on both facet of the aisle are essentially the most uncovered. So until you’re keen on the novelty of flying whereas dealing with the tail they’re finest prevented if doable.
Even the forward-facing window seats have a direct line of sight to a number of different seats. Etihad’s latest enterprise class seat on their A350s are suites with doorways, making them the winner for privateness. Nonetheless, the Dreamliner seat holds up nicely.
Although Etihad is predicated near Emirates and Qatar, their cabin design kinds couldn’t be extra completely different. Emirates goes for a blingier look, whereas Qatar does darker finishes with plenty of gray and burgundy. Etihad affords a extra refined and understated fashion, with lighter earthy tones and a choose few focal design parts, like these seat-side lights.
I bought settled in with a glass of glowing wine.
There have been two kits ready for me on the seat.
The primary was a “touring nicely collectively” bag, focused at inflight well being and COVID security. It included hand sanitizer, wipes, a easy masks, and a fabric ring referred to as a snood that you can use to kind of cowl your mouth whereas sleeping.
Then there was the usual amenity package, made by Acqua di Parma. The contents have been easy — just a few lotion, a sleep masks, dental package, and a small pattern of fragrance.
Hitting the Skies
It was a nighttime departure so there wasn’t an entire lot to see out of the window.
Quickly we have been nicely above the scattered clouds and on our approach to Abu Dhabi. The leisure system’s transferring map had quite a lot of capabilities, although my internal AvGeek observed that the wings on the aircraft icon have been awkwardly disproportionate in contrast with the fuselage.
The dinner service began proper on time and progressed effectively. To assist make that occur, Etihad’s flight attendants take your full meal order whereas nonetheless on the bottom. So be sure you look over the menu as quickly as you get to the seat.
The Arabic mezze choice felt like one of the simplest ways to kick issues off.
The meat with couscous was wonderful.
As was the dessert.
General it was an amazing dinner, and the effectivity of service was simply as spectacular. Tray-based service for the starter and important course didn’t detract a lot from the expertise, because it helped issues circulation extra effectively. And through every course a flight attendant got here by a minimum of as soon as to verify every part was OK.
With dinner executed I settled in for the lengthy haul. First I had some enjoyable with the flight map, which confirmed us crossing the border into Canada. For religious Muslims, there’s a display screen that factors out the path of Mecca.
The biz class lavs have been roomy and saved clear, although didn’t have any additional facilities. Don’t you’re keen on lavs with home windows?
Etihad affords moderately quick inflight wifi for buy.
The inflight leisure library isn’t as expansive as on the opposite main Center Jap carriers, nevertheless it nonetheless affords a lot to cowl a few long-haul flights.
On a facet notice, this flight was such an amazing instance of the highs and lows of Dreamliner home windows. On one hand, what may an AvGeek love greater than the panorama-like views like these?
However after I was making an attempt to sleep, even the darkest window setting let a ton of sunshine by way of. Although I assume it may very well be a partial profit if you happen to’re making an attempt to take pleasure in window seat views with out flooding the cabin with mild.
The seat converts to a fully-flat mattress in just some seconds. Etihad presently doesn’t supply mattress pads however that’s about to alter — extra on that on the finish of this story.
Dinner was filling sufficient that I didn’t go for any midflight snacks, although there have been choices out there to order. Two hours from touchdown the crew got here round with a hearty breakfast service.
The views on strategy into Abu Dhabi have been distinctive, with a sea of desert out of the blue turning into Emirati-style speedy growth.
We’ll be writing concerning the floor expertise in Abu Dhabi individually. Due to the present terminal’s restricted capability, some flights deplane onto distant stands. Which might be annoying for many passengers. Nevertheless it’s wonderful for AvGeeks. As you may see on the finish of the video above, that Dreamliner engine cowling is a magnificence from up shut.
The Verdict
The million-dollar query after Etihad’s cost-cutting years is whether or not the passenger expertise nonetheless holds up. Primarily based on this flight, it positively does. There are just a few options and frills which may be lacking compared with Etihad’s competitors. However the core options of an amazing premium cabin — a tremendous seat, sturdy tender product, and nice crewmember service — nonetheless shone vivid.
Just lately the airline has been providing discounted enterprise class fares and enticing award redemption charges, making theirs one of many extra accessible long-haul enterprise class choices within the Center East.
And don’t neglect, Etihad continues to be taking supply of their new A350 fleet that gives the identical wonderful tender product with an excellent higher seat.
A Recent Replace to Etihad’s Enterprise Class
Final month, Etihad introduced a main replace to their enterprise class tender product. It features a full redesign of tableware for meal companies, with parts designed by Armani/Casa.
Premium cabin passengers can even get an improved turndown service with a mattress pad and redesigned bedding.
Some individuals within the blogosphere thought the announcement was blown a bit out of proportion. However hey, it’s good to see any airline persevering with to put money into their product. We’d like to strive the Constellation Assortment out on a flight quickly.
Now it’s time to listen to from you. What do you concentrate on the Constellation Assortment and our expertise in Etihad’s Dreamliner enterprise class? Share your ideas within the feedback part beneath.
