Like flying on a magic carpet (Etihad Airways)

Member Name: garymarsh6

Product:	Etihad Airways
Date:	09/01/09 (600 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent comfort and service.

Disadvantages: Abu dhabi airport is a bit naf.

Etihad Airways.


Etihad Airways is a Middle Eastern Airline from the United Arab Emirates operating out of its home base and hub of Abu Dhabi. It was started in 2003 adding a new route to its destinations every month for the first 30 months aiming to reach 70 worldwide destinations by 2010. It currently has 37 international destinations.

As it is a fairly new Airline it has a very modern fleet of mainly airbus planes and Boeing 777's and it has three classes of cabin. Diamond (First Class), Pearl (Business class) and Coral Class (Economy).


I recently flew Pearl class from London Heathrow airport (LHR) terminal 3 to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi. Flight time London to Abu Dhabi 7 Hours and 5 minutes. Abu Dhabi to Bangkok is 6 hours. Transit in Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) can range from an hour or anything up to 12 hours.
Abu Dhabi airport is an unusual airport the terminal is not very nice but to be fair there is a new terminal about to open shortly.

The good thing about flying business class is that they provide a limousine service from and to your home or office to the airport as long as it is within a 50 mile radius of Heathrow airport.

Check in LHR.
There are designated check in areas for Business class passengers ensuring there is no queuing. As is the norm flight check in opens 3 hours prior to departure but as a business class passenger you are able to check in up to 45 minutes before departure. The nice thing is as a business class passenger you are able to use the fast track lane which by passes the long security queues so that you can get airside as fast as possible and you are able to use the business class lounges and airport facilities should you wish to do so.


On board.

You are greeted by really friendly cabin crew and shown to your seat. You are shown how to operate all the buttons on the console which controls the television seat, in seat massage, raising the foot rest, setting the seat to change to different angles for your comfort. The seat actually folds down into a fully flat bed. The seats are set slightly apart and not side by side so that you have your own private space and you feel cocooned in your own personal space. In addition to the overhead lockers there are stowage spaces for your hand luggage. There is ample leg room in fact you have to undo your seat belt to reach the magazines as there is so much leg room.

You are offered a pre take off drink of Champagne or orange juice, given an amenity pack which includes all kinds of things in a little bag to make your flight as comfortable as possible. The contents include an eye mask, ear plugs, eau de cologne spritzer to spray on your face, lip balm tooth brush and tooth paste and a bottle of water. A menu for dinner is given and they come back to take orders for your dinner which would be served after take off. Yes you guessed it...Chicken or beef! And or fish or veg!

In the cabin there is mood lighting which changes throughout the flight which makes it very relaxing. The staff are extremely friendly and professional and really do go the extra mile to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

In flight entertainment.

There is a fifteen inch flat screen television in the back of the seat in front and you can actually watch the plane taking off and landing on the screen from cameras positioned at the front of and underneath the plane which is brilliant. This is available in all classes. They have over 350 hours of different entertainment via the television including films, documentaries, news programmes, comedy sketches in all kinds of languages and different games and activities and music channels. There are in flight magazines available and local newspapers.


The food.

The food is exceptional and is a mixture of European or Middle Eastern fare. An amuse bouche was given with your aperitif, then appetiser, Entrée, dessert, fresh fruit and cheese board. Your meal is prepared in the galley and you are served individually in an unhurried manner.. This is all served on china with cutlery and glassware with crisp white linen on your table.

There is an excellent and comprehensive selection of wines, spirits and liqueurs to accompany your meal. The meal is fantastic and of a very high standard. There are lots of permutations of special diets that can be pre ordered. The usual gluten free, fat free, low sugar, low protein, low sodium etc etc also peanut free and other special diets. Also as it is a Middle Eastern airline all food is halal prepared and is suitable for Muslims and non Muslims. No pork is available on the flights at all or caviar, oysters, and happily no snails or frog legs!


Awards.

Etihad have received numerous travel awards over the past couple of years and from my experience they are all very well deserved. Some of my family members have also flown long haul with Etihad in economy and they found the level of service, comfort and entertainment of a very high standard too and they would use them again.

Tickets are an e ticket which means you have no way of losing them thankfully. All you have to do when you get to the airport is provide your passport and you are checked in without any hassle. You also get a bigger luggage allowance of 30 kgs.

Their web site is as follows where you can find special offers, book tickets, holidays and much more.

http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/uk/en/h ome/pages/home.aspx


My opinion of Etihad airways is very positive and I would not hesitate using them again for above average service and comfort. However as they have become a leading name in air travel their prices have gone up too to reflect their popularity.

©GDM08-01-09

Summary: Excellent airline.