Following a four-hour layover where I was able to explore the comforts of the Etihad Business Class Lounge and Abu Dhabi’s Terminal 3, I proceeded to Gate 61 to prepare for the boarding of my next flight on my 8 day tour. Before entering the boarding area, there is a staff station where passengers have their IDs and passports verified.
Additional posts from my whirlwind 8 day tour of Asia:
- Redemption Stories: Maximizing Aeroplan Points and Marriott Bonvoy Rewards for Luxury Travel to Three Countries in Asia
- Lounge Review: Plaza Premium Lounge – Toronto Pearson Airport (International Departures, Terminal 3)
- Flight Review: Etihad Airways Business Class – Toronto (YYZ) to Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Lounge Review: Etihad Business Class Lounge – Abu Dhabi (Terminal 3)
Boarding
Business class passengers were called to board 40 minutes before departure and the entire boarding of the flight was smooth. I presented my boarding pass to the gate attendant and was warmly welcomed onto the jet bridge. Stepping onto the aircraft, a flight attendant greeted me at the entrance, checked my boarding pass, and guided me to my designated seat. I was seated in 6K, a window seat.
Seat 6K
The Business Class Cabin
This flight was operated with a Boeing 787-10 which cabin featured Etihad’s latest business class studio configuration of aircraft. I found this cabin to be a significant improvement compared to my previous flight between Toronto and Abu Dhabi.
The seating arrangement was 1-2-1, with alternating forward and rear-facing seats totaling 32. The setup was unusual, as there was slightly less privacy when seated upright; you could catch a glimpse of fellow passengers in your peripheral vision. The rear-facing seats, located close to the aisle, offered less privacy due to their exposure. The forward-facing middle seats were ideal for couples travelling together, with the option to lower the divider.
Business Studio
Business Class Seat
The seats felt luxurious, and I particularly appreciated the lamp post design above the armrest. The seat provided comfort and ample privacy when fully reclined. The 18.5″ IFE touchscreen monitor was excellent with a Panasonic remote controller adjacent to the lighting controls on the side of the seat. The seat controls were simplified and placed along the curved edge for easy access to adjusting the seat and reading light.
IFE Remote
Control Panel
Seating and Lighting Control
Storage
The tray table was discreetly concealed on the side and could be smoothly slide out horizontally before being lowered, allowing it to be adjusted to suit one’s preference. A hidden storage compartment on the armrest was spacious enough to accommodate a small tablet. Overall, the seat offered a solid and comfortable experience befitting business-class standards.
Service & Entertainment
The service during this flight was exceptional, much like my previous experience. The flight attendants were noticeably attentive, tending to passengers’ needs and ensuring an incredible journey. A memorable instance was when I awoke from sleep; within minutes, my assigned flight attendant greeted me with a cheerful “Good morning! I noticed you’re awake. Would you like a coffee, tea, or breakfast?” Despite my still-drowsy state, I genuinely appreciated the proactive approach of the cabin crew.
Noise-Cancelling Headphone
Acqua Di Parma Amenity Kits
Numerous movies and TV shows were accessible for browsing through their in-flight entertainment system. I took the opportunity to catch a few new shows and even enjoyed some live TV. Although Wi-Fi was an option on this flight, it was priced at $19.99 USD. Fortunately, I lucked out as I received it for free thanks to the World Elite Mastercard benefits that included complimentary Wi-Fi access through Boingo.
Business Class Dining
Meal options during this flight included both dinner and breakfast. I chose a flavourful starter for dinner: a spicy prawn salad with mango, red cabbage, edamame slaw, toasted sesame, and Thai dressing. For the main course I selected the seared beef tenderloin with potato gratin, broccolini, sautéed button mushrooms, and thyme jus. Dessert was a delightful warm treacle pudding with caramel sauce, orange compote, and crunchy granola. The salad was enjoyable; I did find the tenderloin slightly overcooked and dry meanwhile the dessert was exceptional. For breakfast I had the vegetable dry noodle with dumplings which was a fantastic dish – I was tempted to get seconds!
Menu
Spicy Prawn Salad
Seared Beef Tenderloin
Treacle Pudding
Stir Fried Vegetable Noodle
Wrapping it up
This flight experience was excellent! A comfortable seat, outstanding service, and satisfying food made this a very enjoyable flight. Overall I was pleased with this flight and must say that Etihad Airways’ service stands out among the numerous airlines I’ve travelled with.
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