If you’ve been in the points and miles space for a while, flying Etihad A380 Business Class is probably on your radar.
With the return of Etihad’s Airbus A380 on select routes, we finally had the chance to fly the Etihad Business Studio from Toronto (YYZ) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) — and see whether this iconic product still holds up in 2026.
In this review, we’ll walk through the full experience, including the seat, dining, lounge access, booking strategy, and whether it’s actually worth booking with points.
Trip Overview: Etihad A380 Business Class (Toronto to Abu Dhabi)
Our journey on Etihad A380 Business Class began on flight EY22 from Toronto to Abu Dhabi — one of Etihad’s flagship long-haul routes.
The business class cabin is located on the upper deck and features Etihad’s Business Studio seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, meaning every passenger gets direct aisle access.
One thing to know about this layout is that the middle seats alternate between being closer together and further apart. Since we were traveling as a family with a 3-year-old and an infant, we chose the middle seats that are positioned closer together, which made the entire experience much more practical.
Etihad also offers bassinet positions in select seats, which we specifically chose so our infant could rest comfortably once we reached cruising altitude.
First impressions of the cabin were very positive. While this is now a product that’s over a decade old, the aircraft felt extremely well maintained. Everything was clean, fully functional, and the cabin still felt spacious and comfortable. In fact, we actually preferred the more open layout compared to newer suite-style seats that can sometimes feel a bit enclosed.
Check-In Process at Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
Departing from Toronto Pearson, the check-in experience was exactly what you’d hope for when flying business class.
We chose to check in at the airport, where Etihad has dedicated premium counters for business class, first class, and The Residence passengers. As expected, the line here was significantly shorter than economy, and the entire process was handled quickly and efficiently.
Within a few minutes, we had our boarding passes in hand, bags checked, and were on our way through security. From there, we headed straight to the lounge.
Lounge Access at Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
Etihad doesn’t operate its own lounge in Toronto, but business class passengers are given access to a reserved section inside the Plaza Premium Lounge.
During our visit, the usual lounge near the gates was under renovation, so access was provided at the Plaza Premium lounge located just after security.
While Plaza Premium lounges are typically accessible via credit cards, Etihad elevates the experience slightly by offering a dedicated seating area exclusively for its business and first class passengers. This made the space feel quieter and more premium compared to the main lounge area.
The lounge itself was clean, comfortable, and well maintained, with decent food options and a solid beverage selection. There were also premium cocktails available specifically for Etihad passengers, along with shower facilities if you wanted to freshen up before the flight.
We were departing around 2:30 PM, so while we weren’t planning on a full meal, we did grab a quick bite around noon since we hadn’t had lunch yet.
Overall, while this isn’t a flagship lounge experience, it’s still a comfortable place to relax before a long-haul flight.
Booking Etihad A380 Business Class Using Points (Flying Blue Sweet Spot)
This is where things get really interesting — and honestly, where most of the value comes from.
Instead of booking this flight through Etihad Guest, we used Air France–KLM Flying Blue miles, which offers significantly better pricing and flexibility.
If you were to book this same flight directly with Etihad, you’d typically pay around 120,000 miles and over $500 in taxes per person one-way, which isn’t great value.
Instead, we paid 80,000 Flying Blue miles and about $240 in taxes per adult. For our 3-year-old, the ticket cost just 56,000 miles thanks to Flying Blue’s 25% child discount, which is an incredible deal.
The only downside comes with infant tickets, which have to be booked directly with Etihad. These are priced at 10% of the revenue fare, and in our case, that came out to around $560 USD. Expensive, but pretty standard for business class infant pricing.
The key to making this work is timing. Availability for Etihad flights through Flying Blue usually opens up within about 30 days of departure, so this isn’t something you can book far in advance. You need to monitor availability as your travel date approaches and be ready to book when seats open up.
The reason this strategy works so well is because Flying Blue is incredibly easy to earn. Points from Amex, Chase, and Capital One all transfer to Flying Blue, and you’ll often see transfer bonuses of 20–25%, which can reduce your effective cost even further.
If you want to go in-depth of how book Flights like this using Flying Blue Miles, you can check out my masterclass here. It covers earning and redeeming strategies with flying blue miles on airlines like Air France, KLM, Japan Airlines, Etihad, Delta, WestJet, Virgin and More!
Etihad A380 Business Class Seat (Business Studio)
The Etihad A380 Business Studio might not be the newest seat in the sky, but it still holds up surprisingly well.
The cabin features 70 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, and every seat comes with direct aisle access. What makes this layout interesting is how the seats alternate between being closer together and further apart.
If you’re traveling with someone, the middle seats in rows E and F are the ones you want, as they’re positioned closer together and make it much easier to interact during the flight. If you’re traveling solo, the window seats in rows A or K offer the most privacy since they’re tucked closer to the window.
Seats closer to the aisle, like C and H, can feel slightly more exposed, while the middle seats in D and G are spaced further apart and aren’t ideal if you’re traveling together.
One of the standout features of this seat is the amount of storage. There’s space built into the armrest, and if you’re in a window seat, you also get additional storage under the windows — something that’s surprisingly useful on a long flight.
Despite being an older product, the seat still includes thoughtful features like a massage function, adjustable lighting, and intuitive seat controls. The center divider can be lowered if you’re traveling with someone, which makes the space feel more open and connected.
Notably, there are no sliding doors on these seats. While that might sound like a downside, we actually preferred it. The open design makes the cabin feel more spacious and less claustrophobic compared to some newer enclosed suites.
Pre-Departure Experience
Boarding was smooth and well organized, and the experience felt premium right from the start.
As soon as we settled into our seats, the crew came by to introduce themselves and offered a choice of welcome drinks, including champagne, lemon mint juice, and orange juice.
Amenity kits were also distributed, stocked with essentials like moisturizer, socks, an eye mask, and a dental kit. Pajamas are available on long-haul flights as well, though you do need to request them rather than having them automatically handed out.
The crew throughout this process were warm, attentive, and incredibly accommodating, especially given that we were traveling with young kids.
Etihad Business Class On-Demand Dining
One of the biggest highlights of the Etihad A380 business class experience is the dine-anytime concept.
Instead of being locked into a fixed meal schedule, you can eat whenever you want and order from multiple menus throughout the flight. This makes the experience feel much more flexible and, honestly, more premium.
Just before departure, we were handed the full menu and wine list, and the crew asked when we’d like to have our main meal — something that immediately sets Etihad apart from airlines that follow rigid service timings.
The menu itself was extensive, with a mix of Middle Eastern, Western, and vegetarian options, along with an all-day dining selection and breakfast available at any time.
Shortly after takeoff, I started with an Old Fashioned and warm nuts, followed by the Etihad chicken sandwich from the anytime menu. I was hoping to try their steak sandwich, but it wasn’t available on this flight. The chicken sandwich was decent, but nothing particularly memorable.
Overall, the flexibility of being able to eat what you want, when you want, is what really elevates the dining experience here.
Meal Service
While Etihad offers dine-anytime flexibility, the actual meal service itself still feels very polished and well-executed.
Meals are served on demand and course-by-course rather than all at once on a tray, and each dish is plated individually. This makes the experience feel much closer to dining in a restaurant than eating on a plane.
For our main meal, I went with the Arabic mezze to start, followed by the beef short rib, and finished with the New York cheesecake paired with port wine. The mezze was solid as expected, but the beef short rib was easily the standout — perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and full of flavor.
My wife opted for the prawn appetizer and Chilean sea bass, both of which were excellent, while our son ended up trying the soufflé pancakes later in the flight, which were surprisingly very good.
The crew paced the meal really well, clearing plates promptly, refilling drinks, and checking in throughout without being intrusive. They also continued to offer additional items from the all-day dining menu, which added to the overall experience.
Overall, the food quality, presentation, and service made this one of the better business class dining experiences we’ve had.
The Lie-Flat Bed
When it comes to sleeping, the Etihad A380 Business Studio delivers a very comfortable experience.
The seat converts into a fully lie-flat bed, and you’re provided with a mattress pad, a comfortable blanket (often Armani/Casa branded), and a pillow. While there isn’t a formal turndown service, everything is easy to set up yourself.
One thing we really liked about this seat is the width. It feels more spacious around the shoulders compared to some newer products, and there’s plenty of room in the footwell as well.
I managed to get about 3–4 hours of sleep on this flight, though that had more to do with traveling with kids than the seat itself. The bed was genuinely comfortable and easy to sleep on.
The Onboard Lounge (The Lobby)
The Etihad A380 also features an onboard lounge called The Lobby, located between first and business class.
It’s set up with two semi-circular couches and a central table, making it a nice place to stretch your legs and take a break from your seat.
I stopped by briefly during the flight and was offered a glass of champagne, which was a nice touch. While the space is enjoyable, it’s not as large or as lively as Emirates’ onboard lounge.
That said, it’s still a great addition and gives you a chance to move around during a long flight.
Final Verdict: Is Etihad A380 Business Class Worth It?
Overall, this was a fantastic business class experience and one we’d absolutely book again — especially using points.
Yes, the product is starting to show its age in certain areas, particularly with the entertainment system, which feels dated compared to newer cabins from competitors like Emirates and Qatar Airways. The screens are smaller, and the content selection isn’t as extensive.
But beyond that, the experience still delivers where it matters. The seat is comfortable, the cabin feels spacious, the service is excellent, and the dining experience is genuinely one of the best in business class.
This is especially a great product for couples and families, thanks to the seat configuration that allows you to sit close together — something that isn’t always possible on other airlines.
Final Rating
⭐ 8.5 / 10
A slightly dated product, but still one of the best ways to fly — especially when booked using points.
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