Etihad enterprise class overview aboard the Airbus A350

How comfy 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.

All of the seats are in a single, giant 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 because of 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 here are the structure and dimensions.

Facilities in Etihad enterprise class

The facilities on board my two flights different barely as the primary from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi was slightly 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 have been cottony on one aspect and fleece on the opposite. Menus have been ready within the seat-side clip, however flight attendants got here via passing out headphones to those that wished them. No amenity kits have been supplied.

On my second, longer flight, seats have been provisioned with patterned lumbar pillows, which was mattress pads, and bigger, gentle 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

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 provide passengers pajamas, so I had introduced my very own garments to sleep in. There are not any slippers, both, which implies it’s a must to put your footwear on to go to the rest room after which take them again off once more. Not onerous by any means, however one thing the airline may contemplate 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 Manner of Water,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Quantity 3” and “The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film.” There was additionally a big choice of tv sequence, together with a particular part for HBO Max releases, plus music albums sorted by style and a smattering of reside TV channels like CNN and BBC Information.

The leisure system was properly stocked and straightforward to navigate, and I appreciated the highest bar displaying the flight progress in case I misplaced observe of the time. Whereas the noise-canceling headphones the airline gives are fundamental, passengers can hyperlink their very own Bluetooth headsets to the system and use them as an alternative.

Etihad gives numerous Wi-Fi packages. On my longer flight, you can buy a text-only go for $4.99 or a full-flight “Browsing” go with limitless knowledge for $19.99. I chosen the latter, was capable of join rapidly and located first rate speeds of over 14Mbps obtain and a pair of.57Mbps add; ok to electronic mail, browse the net and even add some images, albeit slowly.

Professional tip: Create an account if you’re buying your Wi-Fi go as a way to simply change service between gadgets.

How was the meals in Etihad enterprise class?

Etihad gives dine-on-demand service in enterprise class. Nonetheless, my first flight was quick 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 via 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 airplane door was closed, they got here via 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 Arms “Gnarly Dudes” Shiraz from Australia

There was additionally a big selection of different drinks together with each glowing and nonetheless waters, 4 sorts of fruit juice, Coca-Cola, Sprite and different gentle 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 via the cabin refilling drinks yet another time earlier than the meal service, which began 40 minutes after that.

Every 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 because of the Armani Casa plates, cutlery and glasses, all of which had a really modern and glossy look, and the lamb was tender and flavorful.

I completed in about 20 minutes and my tray was cleared instantly so I may get somewhat nap in earlier than touchdown.

On my longer flight to Chicago, flight attendants handed via 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 prefer to dine after takeoff or go proper to sleep. Most passengers appeared to need to keep up, as did I, although they may dine anytime they wished because of the airline’s coverage.

The menu on this flight was extra in depth, together with each “all-day” and “a la carte” sections, which I took to imply snacks and a light-weight 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
• Crimson 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:

• Varied pastries
• Cereal
• Muesli with yogurt and berries
• Vanilla pancakes with caramelized banana and strawberry
• A steak sandwich with Emmental cheese and crimson 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 just a few 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 aspect salad and a wide range of bread, each rolls and pita. For my principal, 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 may have gone faster. However given the size of time we have been within the air, it was a great way to go a while and keep awake.

After dinner, I acquired a stable 9 hours of sleep (it had been an extended 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 have been there two devoted flight attendants per aisle, however the cabin managers and pursers recurrently got here via to assist with service, have heat, informal conversations with passengers and usually make sure that people had something they wanted.

For instance, the passenger sitting in entrance of me on my long-haul flight gave the impression to be having a well being subject 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 an extended, uninterrupted snooze and a way more nice flight.

The bottom employees in Abu Dhabi, together with airline representatives and lounge attendants I spoke with have been equally solicitous and useful, making for an easy-to-manage switch expertise and a pleasing time within the lounge between flights.

Would you advocate Etihad enterprise class?

Etihad gives 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 because of closing doorways, and the Armani Casa blankets and serviceware give the expertise a classy 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 methods. Though I want Etihad would provide better-stocked amenity kits and further touches like pajamas, the service, high-caliber delicacies and cozy seats make up for these shortcomings, and I would be desperate to fly the airline once more quickly.

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