Airlines

Stellar: Etihad’s Airbus A350 Enterprise Class

Howdy from Abu Dhabi! I simply flew Etihad Airways’ Airbus A350-1000 enterprise class on the 13hr25min from Chicago (I booked this utilizing 70,000 American AAdvantage miles — what a deal!). This was my first time on Etihad’s latest jet, my first time experiencing Etihad’s new Armani / Casa facilities, and in addition my first time flying Etihad because the begin of the pandemic.

Etihad has undergone some main modifications in recent times (for higher and worse), so I used to be curious to see how Etihad’s laborious and tender product stacks up. Nicely, I’m pleased to report that the expertise was phenomenal, and this ranks as one of many high enterprise class merchandise on the earth, for my part. I really feel like Etihad has its groove again, although in a barely extra sustainable method than in 2015.

Whereas I’ll have a full journey report quickly, on this publish I wished to share some preliminary ideas on the Etihad enterprise class expertise.

Etihad’s A350 enterprise class seats are high notch

Etihad’s Airbus A350s have custom-made Collins Aerospace Tremendous Diamond seats with doorways. These are seats that have been first rolled out on British Airways’ A350s, and that is among the many greatest enterprise class merchandise on the market.

Etihad A350 enterprise class cabin
Etihad A350 enterprise class cabin

I feel most OMAAT readers have most likely flown in a Tremendous Diamond seat (whether or not with or with no door), so know what these seats are like.

Etihad A350 enterprise class seat
Etihad A350 enterprise class seat door

However what impressed me was the tech, which was phenomenal. The seats had all the most recent options, together with USB-A, USB-C, AC, and wi-fi charging, in addition to bluetooth audio.

Etihad’s cabin finishes are additionally attractive — I like the colours, and I like how there are not any overhead bins within the heart part of the cabin, which create such a spacious feeling (and the facet bins are greater than giant sufficient for everybody’s carry-on luggage).

Whereas we will debate whether or not this constitutes laborious or tender product, Etihad’s leisure and Wi-Fi on the A350 are additionally wonderful. There’s an enormous number of films and TV exhibits, in addition to dwell TV. On high of that, because of a current constructive change, Wi-Fi was obtainable for all the flight for simply $20, with no knowledge caps, and speeds have been respectable.

Etihad A350 leisure choice

The one factor in regards to the laborious product that I didn’t like was the rest room state of affairs. There have been two bathrooms on the entrance of the cabin, and that simply doesn’t look like sufficient loos for a 44 seat cabin. There was usually a wait to make use of the lavatory, greater than there needs to be. For instance, Qatar Airways’ 777s have 42 enterprise class seats, and have 4 bathrooms.

Etihad’s enterprise class tender product is superb

Whereas Etihad has finished some (justified) price chopping through the years, I feel the airline has now reached a reasonably good stability. Etihad provides Armani / Casa facilities on its A350s, and I believed they have been luxurious and purposeful. The bedding is from Armani / Casa, and is plush and comfy. Sadly the brand new Armani / Casa mattress pad hasn’t but been rolled out, however that needs to be coming later this 12 months.

Etihad enterprise class Armani / Casa bedding

So far as facilities go, Etihad nonetheless has an Acqua di Parma amenity package. I fairly just like the pouch, however it’s not notably effectively stocked.

Etihad enterprise class Acqua di Parma amenity package

Etihad provides dine on demand in enterprise class, and I discovered the meals to be exceptionally good. There have been an enormous number of choices served on stunning Armani / Casa tableware, and the crew didn’t appear to expire of something.

After takeoff I loved a glass of sauvignon blanc and a few blended nuts. I respect that wine is poured from the bottle at your seat.

Etihad enterprise class meal service

For a starter, I chosen a scrumptious tuna tataki dish, which was among the many greatest tuna dishes I’ve had on a airplane. That was served with some bread and a facet salad.

Etihad enterprise class meal service

Then for my primary course, I chosen the vegetable kofta, which I additionally loved (I like Indian vegetarian meals!).

Etihad enterprise class meal service

For dessert I had a decadent chocolate fondant.

Etihad enterprise class meal service

Then previous to touchdown, I had an açaí bowl with fruit and a croissant, which was a pleasant different to the everyday airplane omelet or fruit plate.

Etihad enterprise class meal service

Maybe what I favored much more than the meals was the non-alcoholic drink choice, together with wonderful cappuccinos and iced lattes. Yum, yum, yum.

Etihad enterprise class iced latte

The one a part of the tender product that would have been higher can be pajamas and/or slippers. Pajamas are in fact good, however on some stage I contemplate them to be a gimmick, as I do know they’re a expensive funding for airways. Personally I do worth having slippers on a flight of this size, and want Etihad would carry these again. I don’t like placing on my sneakers each time I need to go to the lavatory, so with the ability to use disposable slippers is beneficial.

Superb service additionally makes all of the distinction

Service on Center Japanese carriers could be a blended bag — typically it’s distinctive, and typically it’s simply okay. On this flight I lucked out with a tremendous crew, overseen by cabin supervisor Nicolas from France. The crew couldn’t have been extra attentive or element oriented, which is at all times a deal with.

This is likely one of the world’s high enterprise class merchandise

It’s most likely time I do a rating of enterprise class merchandise, however certainly, Etihad’s A350 enterprise class ranks in my high 5 enterprise class merchandise globally, given the superb laborious and tender product.

I feel the query many individuals most likely have is how Etihad’s new enterprise class compares to Qatar Airways’ enterprise class, which is in any other case usually thought to be being among the many greatest on the earth. To be trustworthy, each merchandise are wonderful, and I’d most likely fly whichever product had a greater routing for my itinerary, together with factoring in connections. I’ll do a extra detailed comparability of the 2 merchandise after publishing my full evaluation.

I like the Etihad Airbus A350!

Backside line

I’m so pleased I lastly had the prospect to fly Etihad’s A350 enterprise class, and in addition expertise the brand new Armani / Casa tender product. My love affair with Etihad was placed on pause a number of years again when the airline appeared to do limitless price chopping, although I’m thrilled to see a constructive turnaround.

Etihad’s A350 provides a beautiful passenger expertise, when it comes to each laborious and tender product. From the seats, to the leisure and Wi-Fi, to the meals and drinks, to the facilities, my flight couldn’t have been a lot better. I’d fly Etihad’s A350 once more in a heartbeat.

If you happen to’ve flown Etihad’s A350 enterprise class, what was your expertise like?

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button