Pros & Cons of Etihad Airways Business Class

Personalized Journey:
Experience tailored luxury from lounge to landing. Enjoy exclusive lounge access, priority boarding, and the comfort of fully-flat beds on board. Dine at your leisure with an extensive a la carte menu.

Elevated Style with Armani – Casa:
A collaboration with Giorgio Armani brings unparalleled elegance to your flight, inspired by the UAE’s rich heritage and hospitality.

Innovative Comfort:

  • Airbus A380: Experience ultimate privacy and elegance in Business Studios® on daily flights between Abu Dhabi and London.
  • Airbus A350: Enjoy a greener and quieter flight with designed comfort and space.
  • Boeing 787: Step into upgraded cabins focused on technology and sustainability.

Exclusive Services:

  • Etihad Chauffeur: Begin your journey with a complimentary chauffeur service from the UAE, including personalized check-in assistance.
  • Lounge Access: Relish international cuisine, unwind with a drink, or refresh with a shower in our unique lounges.

Onboard Experience:

  • Customizable Comfort: Adjust your seat’s headrest, back support, and cushion firmness for optimal comfort, with fully-flat beds available on larger aircraft.
  • Flexible Dining: Enjoy meals on your terms, from traditional Emirati cuisine to light bites and sweet treats.
  • Amenity Kits: Complimentary ACQUA DI PARMA kits enhance your rest with luxury toiletries.
  • Entertainment: Escape into over a thousand hours of movies, TV shows, and more with noise-cancelling headsets.
  • Wi-Fi: Stay connected with various Wi-Fi packages, including complimentary options for Etihad Guest members.

Loyalty Benefits:
Upgrade your experience using Etihad Guest Miles for Business or First Class.

Your Feedback Matters:
Etihad values your thoughts and encourages feedback to continually enhance the travel experience.

Additional Services and Information:

  • Manage your booking easily and explore destinations.
  • Stay updated with the latest news, careers, and sponsorships.
  • Learn about Etihad’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Choose Well with Etihad Business Class, where every detail of your journey is crafted for comfort, style, and a personalized travel experience.

Pros of Etihad Airways Business Class

  1. Suite-Style Seats with Privacy: The latest business-class seats on Etihad’s Airbus A350-1000 feature closing doors, offering passengers an extra level of inflight privacy. This addition creates a more personal and secluded space for travelers.
  2. High-Tech Amenities: Seats are equipped with modern conveniences including wireless charging pads and Bluetooth connectivity. These features cater to the needs of today’s digitally-connected passengers, ensuring devices are charged and entertainment is personalized.
  3. Luxurious Service and Amenities: Etihad’s business class service includes sophisticated offerings like on-demand dining, and high-end amenity kits. The dining experience is elevated with Armani Casa serviceware, and passengers receive Acqua di Parma amenity kits, adding a touch of luxury to the journey.
  4. Extensive Inflight Entertainment: The inflight entertainment system offers over a thousand hours of movies, TV shows, playlists, and interactive games, ensuring passengers are well entertained throughout their flight.
  5. Connectivity in the Sky: Etihad provides various Wi-Fi packages, including unlimited data options, allowing passengers to stay connected during their flight. This is a significant advantage for those needing to work or stay in touch with people on the ground.
  6. Priority Services: Business-class passengers enjoy several priority services at the airport, including priority check-in, lounge access, and priority boarding. This makes the airport experience smoother and more enjoyable.
  7. Spacious and Comfortable Seating: The seats in Etihad’s Business Class, especially on the A380 and A350 aircraft, offer extra space and comfort. On long-haul flights, seats recline into a fully-flat bed, providing a restful sleep environment.
  8. Dine on Demand: The flexibility to dine whenever hunger strikes is a significant perk. The a la carte menu features a variety of choices, including traditional Emirati dishes, healthy options, and international cuisine.
  9. Enhanced Privacy: The configuration of Etihad’s business class cabins, especially with the suite-style seats, offers passengers enhanced privacy, which is highly valued on long-haul flights.
  10. Attention to Detail: Small details, such as the inclusion of luxurious socks and a signature fresh fragrance in amenity kits, or the availability of a porter service from the UAE, demonstrate Etihad’s commitment to a superior passenger experience.

Etihad Airways’ Business Class stands out for its combination of privacy, luxury, modern amenities, and exceptional service, making it a preferred choice for business and leisure travelers seeking a premium flying experience.

Cons of Etihad Airways Business Class

  1. Single Large Cabin Configuration: The business class section is housed in a single, extensive cabin. This layout can lead to a less exclusive feel and potentially longer service times for passengers seated at the back.
  2. Outdated U.S. Preclearance Lounge in Abu Dhabi: The lounge used for U.S. preclearance in Abu Dhabi is noted to be in need of updates, which might not match the high standards of the business class experience.
  3. Lack of Provided Pajamas: Unlike some other premium carriers, Etihad does not provide pajamas for business class passengers, which can be a downside for those looking to sleep comfortably on long-haul flights.
  4. Limited Number of Lavatories: With only a few lavatories available for a large number of passengers, queues can form, especially during peak times like after meals or before landing.
  5. Inconsistent Wi-Fi Connectivity: The onboard Wi-Fi, while affordable, can sometimes offer poor connectivity, making it challenging to work or stay entertained throughout the flight.
  6. Seat Comfort for Taller Passengers: The bed length in the fully flat position might not be comfortable for passengers over six feet tall, as they may find their feet touching the end of the bed.
  7. Limited Personal Storage Space: Although the seats are well-designed, there is limited at-seat storage for personal items, which could be inconvenient for passengers with multiple devices or personal items.
  8. Noise from the Lounge Area: Seats located near the onboard lounge may experience noise, potentially disturbing passengers looking to rest or sleep during the flight.
  9. Limited Amenity Kit Contents: Some passengers might find the amenity kits lacking, especially in comparison to what is offered by other airlines in similar classes.
  10. Service Can Feel Less Personal in a Full Cabin: With a large number of passengers in business class, the service, while excellent, can sometimes feel less personalized than in smaller or more exclusive settings.

Etihad Airways Business Class offers a premium experience with a few areas that could be improved to enhance passenger comfort and satisfaction further.