Review of Etihad Airways First Class

If starting your journey in Abu Dhabi, First Class travellers have sit-down check-in areas and a private entrance - with porter service - to assist with luggage. They are then escorted through dedicated security lanes to the lounge. This is all after being collected by a private chauffeur - this service is only available in Abu Dhabi - from your home or hotel and driven to the airport. This service is also available to Business Class passengers.

The Etihad First Lounge in terminal three has a Middle Eastern-inspired menu with four-course and buffet meal options and a bar snack menu. Signature cocktails are available at the feature bar and a well-stocked wine cellar with premium vintages. A spa facility provides complimentary treatments, and there is also a fitness room. Other features include quiet places to relax or work and a private VIP lounge. Guests can enjoy a cinema room, a cigar lounge, and bathrooms with shower and baby change facilities. In Abu Dhabi's terminal one, the First Class lounge is a cordoned-off area of the Business Class lounge.

A new terminal at Etihad's primary Abu Dhabi hub, named Midfield Terminal, is under construction and is expected to boast new lounge facilities. For now, some connections require long walks between terminals, and there is only one official First Class lounge at the airport.

When Etihad First passengers travel from other airports, they are treated to lounge facilities with airline partners or one of the few Etihad-branded lounges in select airports, including London Heathrow or Washington Dulles.

Etihad passengers in First Class can also take advantage of the Arrivals Lounge – shared with Business Class – conveniently located after customs offering a concierge service, light snacks, hot and cold beverages, shower facilities, relaxation areas and business facilities with Wi-Fi.   

A unique feature of Abu Dhabi's airport, compared to other Middle Eastern departure points, is that U.S.-bound travellers complete pre-clearance formalities while still in the United Arab Emirates. They undergo U.S. customs and immigration before taking off. On landing in the United States, they deplane as if it were a domestic flight. While this is especially convenient, it does mean that U.S.-bound passengers must allow plenty of time before the flight or while in transit to undergo these checks. Once completed, there is a separate Business Class lounge for U.S.-bound travellers to enjoy.

The most exclusive First Class experience is found in the three-room 'The Residence' on the upper deck of the Airbus A380, now returning on select routes only. With only one Residence per aircraft, this is a truly unique and distinctive flying experience. Each Residence comes with a living room, a bedroom with a large double bed, a private bathroom with a shower and exclusive butler and chef services.

The A380 offers additional luxury on the upper deck for First Class passengers with nine 'Apartments' offering a private living space complete with an oversized leather lounge chair, a separate ottoman couch that converts to a bed, a big IFE screen that swivels and a minibar. Couples in adjoining Apartments can remove a section of the central divide between the two facing Apartments, creating a private double apartment.  

First Class is also available on some of the airline's Boeing 787-9 aircraft and 777s, but these are soon to be retired and always designed in a 1-2-1 configuration. Those travelling together should opt for the centre section as a divider can be lowered to make it a private cabin for two. Solo travellers will enjoy one of the single seats at the window. Doors slide closed to provide greater privacy for resting or working.

Plush leather seats recline via electronic controls to various positions and are fully flat to create a bed best enjoyed with a large pillow, mattress pad, day blanket and thick duvet. When passengers are ready to sleep, flight attendants turn down the bed - upon request.

Small storage compartments provide a place for reading material, spectacles, laptops and mobile devices. Power and USB outlets are easy to reach, plus there is a closet to hang a jacket or place small items.

On the 787-9, the first row of First Class window seats faces backwards while the centre section faces forward. In the second row, window seats face forward while the centre section faces rearward. Full privacy dividers surround the seat, making it seem like a small room, but if you prefer how you like to sit, reserve a seat before departure. There is no charge to do so.

Gigantic and sturdy tray tables fold out toward the seat with plentiful space to dine or work. They can be pushed forward and backwards to allow easier aisle access. On the 787-9, window dimmers allow different amounts of light while still being able to see out rather than a traditional window shade to lower.

An ottoman in front of the seat has a seat belt of its own so that two travellers can dine together as they might in a restaurant on either side of the tray table. The ottoman also reveals a storage compartment underneath, which is helpful as Etihad removed overhead bins from First Class to make the cabin feel more spacious. The crew can store carry-on bags in a closet if needed. Each seat has a wardrobe closet to hang a jacket or other small items.

Another perk of these seats is that they come with a small, non-alcoholic minibar with sodas, juice and water.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes images, videos and seat maps for most airlines and aircraft. Search results also include details such as seat pitch, width and recline. This way, you can see the seat and cabin configuration of the flight you are interested in before making your choice.

Etihad offers dine-on-demand service for First Class passengers. You can eat what you want when you want from an extensive fine dining à la carte menu. The airline discontinued its onboard chef program, but the flight attendants work hard to prepare and deliver food with a restaurant-style presentation.

Tables are dressed with starched linens and silverware, salt and pepper shakers, olive oil dishes and bread plates laid out carefully. Meals begin with a beverage from the bar, plus a tray of savoury snacks like wasabi peas and nuts.

The menu features fresh and seasonal ingredients and a variety of starters, including Arabic and Western choices. Try the Arabic mezze for one of the airline's signature appetisers. In between some courses, flight attendants offer sorbet palate cleansers to prepare your taste buds for the next course.

Main course options include beef, chicken, lamb, pasta, fish and Gulf-style biryani dishes. These can be paired with accompaniments, including French fries and vegetables. There is also an option to order from the grill menu, including sea bass or a filet of beef served with different sauces like thyme butter sauce or rosemary jus. This allows you to pick and choose your favourite things on the menu to prepare a customised meal rather than stick to the pre-organised menu choices. Be sure to order your preferred menu early, as the crew can run out of popular items.

Dessert consists of decadent pastries, cakes, ice creams and cheese platters. Cordials, coffee, tea and other after-dinner drinks round out the service.

Passengers can order between meals from a snack menu, including burgers and salads to baklava and crisps. There is also a chef's special that changes regularly. Another warm towel and a box of chocolates complete the first meal.

In addition to a lunch or dinner menu, there is usually a breakfast selection, including bakery items, cereal, fruit, eggs cooked to order and smoothies. Passengers can dine according to their body clock, which helps reduce jet lag.

As guests board, they are welcomed by name by several flight attendants and offered their beverage of choice, which include Champagne. The selection can vary, but in First Class, it is usually Charles Heidsieck Vintage Brut or Rosé. The welcome beverage is delivered on a silver tray with a warm towel and some dates. Soon after, small cups of Arabic coffee are served at each seat.

Printed menus outline the boutique wine list available throughout the flight, including two Champagnes, four white wines, four red wines and a dessert wine. There is a long list of cocktails using an impressive array of liqueurs and spirits, non-alcoholic mocktails, and a wide assortment of soft drinks and juices. International beer selections are available, and tea and coffee are served in many ways - cappuccino, espresso and macchiato are just some of the preparations. Flight attendants will choose pairing options to go with meal choices if required, and a signature Cognac service brings a close to the dining experience.  

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on which Champagne is served in Business Class and First Class on many airlines. We do our best to keep track of any changes but feel free to let us know if we missed something.

Flight attendant service is attentive and friendly from an international crew that speaks a variety of languages. In First Class, expect name recognition and plenty of attention to detail to remember particular preferences.

Noise-reducing headphones plug into the side of the seat. The airline's E-BOX in-flight entertainment system holds an enormous selection of international movies, including options from the Middle East, Europe and Asia, dozens of short subject features like comedies and documentaries. World music, radio stations and podcasts are available via the large touch screen or extendable remote control. Children have their movies and favourite television shows, while interactive games will also entertain gaming fans. In addition, there is a 3-D moving map display showing details of the flight route and destinations the plane is passing along the way.

Wi-Fi is available with fees based on data usage. First Class passengers receive a complimentary voucher, but it is only for a limited amount of data.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi.

Those flying in The Residence or First Class, a luxurious offering awaits with the large Giorgio Armani and Etihad branded folio bag, filled with ESPA skincare essentials and practical items, ensuring comfort and relaxation throughout the flight.

In addition to the amenity kits, First and The Residence Class passengers will receive exclusive Giorgio Armani and Etihad loungewear and slippers.

Through its partnership with ESPA, Etihad introduces premium skincare products in amenity kits and washrooms, enhancing the travel experience with aromatherapy and wellness products that cater to holistic wellbeing.

First Class is only available on certain long-haul flights, and passengers booked in Etihad First will travel in Business Class on the airline’s flights. The experience is also excellent with a wide variety of food and drinks available.

Read the BusinessClass.com expert review of Etihad Business Class

The airline is focused on recycling and efficient ground operations. In addition, the airline is working to reduce single-use plastics and plans to operate at a net zero carbon emissions level by 2050. It is also committed to the illegal trade of endangered wildlife and has conservation programs in place to monitor for potential problems. 

More than 300 cabin crew participate in the airline’s Green Ambassador program and wear green scarves on flights. Their role is to share information with passengers on how Etihad is focused on more eco-friendly operations. They also share details with the airline on how to operate more efficiently by suggesting changes that can be put in place to support the environment. For example, the airline now uses a paper seal on blankets rather than wrapping them in single-use plastic.

Etihad has a partnership with Boeing to trial new initiatives covering everything from noise reduction to sustainable bio fuel using its own planes as test flights. There is even an Etihad Dreamliner painted in a green livery and dubbed the “Greenliner.” Etihad also offers customers the chance to offset their carbon emissions and help fund global gold-standard decarbonisation projects.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on CO2 emissions for each flight. Our quality algorithms also give a higher score to flights operated by the most modern and environmentally friendly aircraft.