FIRST IMPRESSIONS For all passengers in the United Arab Emirates, Etihad offers a free transfer to the airport, if pre-booked. For economy (Coral zone) passengers, this is in an air-conditioned bus, while for business and first (Pearl and Diamond) it is in a chauffeured car. I was booked on the 0255 flight EY11 departure, and my car arrived at my hotel in Dubai at midnight on time. The journey was without incident, something of a relief after several days of white-knuckle trips along Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai
THE LOUNGE On entering Abu Dhabi International airport, all luggage goes through the X-ray machine. There is a dedicated business, first and Etihad Guest FFP gold card holders' check-in, and although in the past I've found that this has a tendency to get congested quite quickly, it was free of any problems this time. I was quickly checked in, walked through passport control and then located the first-floor lounge, the entrance to which is almost immediately to the left once you have cleared immigration. The lounge is small, and was busy, though there were still plenty of places to sit. There are three computer terminals with free internet access, and seating areas divided into smoking (by the window overlooking the runway), non-smoking, and (behind a screen) women-only. There is attentive waiter service for drinks and snacks, and alcohol is served.
BOARDING Flights are called from the lounge, and I listened as Kuwait, New York, Jakarta and Johannesburg were called, before London Heathrow came round. There is a further security check before boarding, with all hand luggage going through another X-ray machine. After this we were quickly boarded and I was shown to my seat.
THE SEAT Etihad's new Diamond Zone Suite is as large as any in its class, and as comfortable. Its unique selling point is that it rotates 180 degrees so you can dine and chat with fellow passengers. However, although this is the second time I have flown on it, I have yet to test this function, since in my experience most passengers paying for a first class ticket value their privacy above all else, and wouldn't want me swivelling to and fro in front of them. Besides, my seat was at the back of the cabin, and so I would have revolved only to look at a wall.
The seats have several pre-settings allowing you to find the right position for working/eating, sleeping, take-off and landing as well as the fully-flat position. I noticed that one passenger's seat was not working properly, and was impressed that he accepted this with good grace, despite the fact that he said it was the second time it had happened to him out of four flights in first class. My own seat, in fact, was slightly defective, and would not go fully flat, but the slight undulation wasn't uncomfortable and I slept well during the flight.
THE FLIGHT Drinks, including Veuve Clicquot 1996, were served before take-off. The wines later in the flight were also excellent and included a white Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignères 2002 and a red Chateau la Garde 1999 Pessac-Léognan. Interestingly, these wines were unchanged since I reviewed this service some eight months ago (see Business Traveller, October 2006) – testament to the buying power of the airline, perhaps, that they have sufficient stores for this level of consistency. What has improved is the amenity bag, which is large and has all the essentials, as well as several Bulgari amenities. There was a good choice of food but of course by the time we were in the air it was already 0300 local time (and midnight at our destination). As usual as I fell asleep, I was amazed to note that people were just starting to watch films and have the food service. I had asked not to be woken for breakfast, but in the event woke up anyway, and the crew were flexible in immediately offering a choice of hot and cold options.
ARRIVAL We landed on time (0740), despite circling Heathrow for 20 minutes, had an air bridge waiting for us, and by the time we had walked to the baggage carousel, the luggage was arriving. Etihad offers an onward chauffeur service, but since the offices of Business Traveller are in the centre of London, I walked to the underground and caught the Piccadilly line to Green Park station.
VERDICT Excellent. Etihad has a world-beating first class product, and the service levels are consistently high.
PRICE Flights in Etihad's Diamond Zone (first class) cost from £2,030 for a return fare.
CONTACT Tel +44 (0)870 241 7121, etihadairways.com.
Tom Otley
