Etihad Airways A380 business class, London to Abu Dhabi

LONDON-ABU DHABI

BACKGROUND UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways flies four times daily from London Heathrow to its hub in Abu Dhabi. Three flights are operated by an A380 double decker and the fourth service, introduced in October, is operated by a B787-9 Dreamliner. My flight, EY12, departed London at 0900.

CHECK-IN Online check-in was quick and easy and when I arrived at Heathrow Terminal 4, I was escorted to a carpeted area with a very short queue to drop my bags. Fast-track security and passport checks made travelling through Heathrow a breeze, which meant more shopping time.

THE LOUNGE Known as‘ The House ’, Etihad’s Terminal 4 lounge at Heathrow is a calm and civilised oasis. There is plenty of comfortable seating, arranged in a fashion that maximises privacy, as well as a separate dining area close to the ample buffet. A friendly team greeted me at the front desk before I made my way to the bar area, which at this time of the morning, also serves as a coffee and eggs station. I ordered my skinny flat white and poached eggs on toast and they were served promptly at my table. An above-average lounge experience in my opinion.

BOARDING Boarding was slick. After the flight was announced I made my way from the lounge to the gate, which took just a few minutes. The queue was short and I was on board and in my seat in no time at all.

THESE AT My seat was 16 Fin the middle, which suited me because I was travelling with my husband who occupied the other middle seat. This effectively created our very own area of the cabin. The seat configuration is cleverly staggered, so the aisle seats are not directly next to the middle seats, which creates a sense of privacy and luxury. My seat was incredibly comfortable. I only used the flatbed once for a quick snooze and while the duvet and pillow were cosy, the ‘bed’ was a little hard and would’ve benefitted from a mattress or topper.

BEST SEAT For couples or friends travelling together. Having said that, if you are travelling alone and find yourself in a middle seat, the privacy screen can be used to create your own personal space.

THE FLIGHT F&B is where Etihad really excels. Passengers can pre-order their threecourse meal from the à la carte menu and dine at their convenience. I enjoyed an Emirati-inspired Arabic mezze, followed by chicken breast with sweet potato mash, broccolini, caramelised shallots and jus, which was delicious. I skipped dessert (even though HäagenDazs ice-cream was a menu option), but enjoyed a superb frothy latte – I have been told Etihad has a ‘proper’ coffee machine on board, which I really did appreciate. There’s an all-day dining menu too, famous for its steak sandwich, should you get peckish.

The dining service was spot-on and the crew were friendly. The ACQUA DI PARMA amenity kit was a nice touch too, packed with essentials including a signature fragrance. If I were to suggest improvements,

I’d offer a wider selection of entertainment, including more recent movie releases, and I’d re-think the Wi-Fi offering, which is inferior to that of competing airlines. The connection is sketchy and passengers are required to pay to log on, which I think is a little cheeky when you are paying business class prices.

ARRIVAL This was initially speedy – a record 10 minutes from my seat, through immigration and baggage collection to the Etihad business class arrivals lounge. However, I then waited 15 minutes for the complimentary chauffeur car service to the hotel. It would’ve been quicker to grab a taxi. However, the spacious seating area and good selection of drinks and light snacks, including local sweets, made for a true Arabian arrival experience.

VERDICT A very comfortable flight with great quality food, but I would’ve liked a more comprehensive entertainment offering and the sub-standard Wi-Fi service is an issue if you need to get online and work during your flight. Gemma Greenwood