A380, BUSINESS CLASS, LONDON-ABU DHABI
“Business class has 70 fully-flat bed seats configured 1-2-1, each with its own “privacy shell” and aisle access. Each has an 18-inch touchscreen in-flight entertainment monitor, a separate touchscreen IFE controller, two USB ports and noise-reducing headsets. I was next to the galley but didn’t notice any noise or commotion. The lounge, which features a circular seating area near the front of the plane where drinks and snacks are served, is closest to row eight, so you might want to avoid this if you don’t want to be in earshot.
“At 1450, an attendant introduced herself and offered to explain the seat’s recline and lighting settings. I was also presented with a menu, asked when I would like to be served dinner and given recommendations of which meals tasted best at altitude. As I’d eaten in the lounge, I asked to eat three hours after take-off. There were three starters: an Arabic meze; smoked duck with pickled king oyster mushrooms, baby beetroot and garlic oil; and a celeriac and apple soup with crème fraîche, which I chose – it was delicious and light.
“Main courses included sirloin steak with sautéed purple potatoes, fine beans and jus; grilled salmon with sun-dried tomato polenta, baby courgettes with sautéed spinach and velouté; baked pumpkin with spinach, quinoa, pumpkin seed oil and goat’s cheese; and Gulf chicken biryani, which was excellent. There was also an “All Day” menu, which offered a steak sandwich with red onion chutney and Emmenthal, grilled poussin with quinoa, kale and red amaranth, fresh fruit and ice cream, plus a selection of cookies, Swedish crispbreads, Arabic baklava and crisps. Onboard wifi cost US$11.95 for two hours and US$17.95 for four hours.”