My family recently flew from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Toronto (YYZ). Our journey began with an exciting first leg. We flew Etihad’s 787-10 Business Class from Abu Dhabi to London (LHR).
A major highlight was the new Terminal A at Zayed International Airport. The Etihad Business Class lounge was also much anticipated. Both were absolutely fantastic. They set a high bar for our ground experience.
Onboard, the service was generally great. However, we had one unexpected issue. The privacy doors on our Business Studio seats were disabled. They could not be closed. Despite this, the lie-flat seat was very comfortable. This was especially true for my 2.5-year-old son. He slept soundly for most of the flight to London.
This review focuses on our AUH-LHR flight. I will cover the new terminal, lounge, service, and the seat itself.
Abu Dhabi’s Terminal A & Premium Ground Experience
Our journey began at the new Terminal A. The experience was fantastic from the start. Etihad has invested heavily in its premium passenger experience.
A Dedicated Premium Terminal
Etihad Business and First Class travelers have a separate entrance. This leads to a dedicated check-in and security area. This setup immediately feels exclusive. A concierge met us at the entrance. He took our luggage. He then personally walked us to the check-in desks. This was an incredible, personalized touch.
Private Check-in & Security
What followed was almost surreal. We were the only passengers in the entire premium zone. It felt like a private flying experience. This was a wild feeling in a major international airport. While checking in, staff offered us complimentary refreshments. We had Arabic coffee, juice, and water.
Navigating security was a breeze with no queues. The whole process took about 15 minutes. This was from the terminal entrance to clearing security. The only delay was a quick diaper change for my son! This seamless process was an impressive start to our journey.
The Etihad Airways Business Class Lounge
We made our way to the lounge after security. The Etihad Business Class Lounge is absolutely massive. It is spread across three floors. It has many different zones for relaxing.
Lounge Amenities & Dining
At the entrance, a luggage concierge held our carry-on bags. This allowed us to explore the lounge freely. We first went to the main restaurant for breakfast. The breakfast was an extensive buffet. It had a wide variety of items. Live cooking stations added many fresh options. There was also made-to-order coffee and grab-and-go items. We enjoyed an awesome breakfast.
For families, the dedicated Kids Play Room was a standout feature. It was a great space for my son to play before the flight. I also used one of the private shower suites. These were full bathrooms, stocked with luxury amenities. A refreshing shower before a 7-hour flight is always welcome.
The lounge is truly impressive. After about two hours, it was time to head to our gate for boarding.
The Redemption
Our entire journey from Abu Dhabi to Toronto was a single award booking. I used American Airlines AAdvantage miles for our family of three. Each Business Class seat cost 70,000 AA miles plus $259 USD in taxes and fees. For all three tickets, this totaled 210,000 AA miles. This is a very reasonable rate for a partner award from the Middle East to North America.
I accumulated these miles in a few ways. I earned them from credit card welcome bonuses. I also used the AAdvantage eShopping portal. I found award availability for three seats just two weeks before departure. I used the award search tool Roame.travel to find these.
Our itinerary had two parts:
- Abu Dhabi (AUH) to London (LHR) on Etihad Airways.
- London (LHR) to Toronto (YYZ) on British Airways.
The Etihad 787-10 Business Studio (Our “Suite” in the Sky)
We boarded the Etihad Boeing 787-10. We were welcomed into the impressive Business Class cabin. It features the newer Business Studio seats. The cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration. This ensures every passenger has direct aisle access. This is a huge plus when traveling as a family.
Each seat transforms into a fully lie-flat bed. Etihad provides luxurious Armani Casa bedding. It was incredibly soft and comfortable. This made a real difference for my son’s nap on this 7-hour day flight.
Our family’s seating arrangement worked well. My wife took a window seat. My son and I were in the two center seats. These seats have a divider that can be lowered. This was perfect for allowing me to see my son during the flight.
A practical tip for traveling with toddlers. I recommend an approved toddler airline seat belt harness. Once a child is in the large seat, they can be hard to reach. A harness helps keep them secure.
Pre-Departure Rituals & Festive Touches
As we settled in, a flight attendant offered pre-departure drinks. I opted for Etihad’s classic Lemon Mint Cooler. It was very refreshing. We got an orange juice for my son. My wife also enjoyed the Lemon Mint Cooler.
Soon after, we received our amenity kits. The adult kits had the usual high-quality items. My son received a special DC Super Heroes themed kit. It had coloring activities and a water bottle. He was thrilled! This was a nice touch for families. We were also handed menus. They featured on-demand dining. There were also limited-time festive options for the Christmas holiday period.
Etihad Business Class On-Demand Dining
An Early Snack & Rest
Our flight departed at 8 AM. We had woken up around 3 AM. So, my wife and son decided to nap after takeoff. The quiet cabin and lie-flat beds were perfect for them to rest.
While they slept, I explored the menu. I ordered a festive Gingerbread Latte. I paired it with the famous Etihad Steak Sandwich. The sandwich definitely lived up to its reputation. It was served hot, and the meat was very flavourful. It was a great start to the flight. Later, I converted my seat into a flat bed. I continued to watch a movie while snuggled in the comfy bedding.
Main Meal Service
Thanks to on-demand dining, we ate when we were ready. I ordered the Traditional Cheese Omelette. My wife chose the Breakfast Shakshuka. Both dishes were enjoyable. They were not extraordinary, but they tasted genuinely good. My son ate from my plate.
There was a minor, amusing mix-up with my order. The flight attendant initially brought me a Hazelnut Pastry Crown. He had already plated it. He very graciously offered it to me anyway. I accepted it with my black coffee. It was an amazing dessert, though a bit too sweet for me. This was a great example of proactive service.
A little while later, my wife ordered Assorted Samosas from the all-day menu. She reported they were great!
The Verdict: Etihad Business Class Studio AUH-LHR
Our Etihad Business Studio experience was, for the most part, truly enjoyable. The standout highlight was the ground experience at the new Terminal A. The private check-in and fantastic lounge set a new high bar.
Onboard, the Business Studio seat was comfortable. The quality Armani Casa bedding was a huge plus. My son sleeping for most of the 7-hour flight was a win for any parent. The on-demand dining was flexible and tasty.
The most significant letdown was the disabled privacy doors. They could not be closed. This detracted from the full “suite” experience one might expect.
Despite this, the excellent ground service and onboard comfort made it a strong start to our award journey. It was a comfortable and largely premium experience. While the door issue was a notable disappointment, the many positives made it a valuable and enjoyable flight.
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