Airline review: Massages and fine wine in airline’s business class
The flight
Etihad Airways EY451, EY31; Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, business class; Sydney (SYD) to Paris (CDG) via Abu Dhabi (AUH), departs 3.15pm; flight time 24 hours 30 minutes, including 2 hour 20 minute stopover (on schedule).
Etihad Airways’ B777-300 business seats can turn into a flatbed.Credit: Etihad Airways
Frequency
Daily departures from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi to Paris (CDG).
The loyalty scheme
Etihad Guest is free to join and has reciprocal arrangements with airlines including Virgin Australia. Members get free in-flight ‘Chat’ messaging.
Carbon emissions
5.5 tonnes for business class. They have an offset program, Etihad Guest, that can be used at any time.
Checking in
I arrive too late to take advantage of free lounge access at The House. COVID-19 travel documents are pre-validated under Etihad’s ‘Verified to Fly’ initiative. I zoom through business-class-only passport and security checks, with time to spare for a squiz at the duty-free shops.
The seat
Business seats take a 1-2-1 layout, and reclines to a flat bed. My window seat (13H) offers direct aisle access with a pitch of 73 inches (185cm) and a width of 20 inches (51cm). I switch to a middle-aisle seat (12E) for the final leg. It’s a great option for couples, with an optional privacy divider. The Dreamliner seats are slightly roomier; 22 inch width (56cm), with extra storage, and impressive massage and adjustable cushion firmness features. The amenity kit features Acqua Di Parma products, socks and an eye mask.
Etihad Airways’ Dreamliner lie-flat business class seats offer more room to move.
Baggage
Checked baggage up to 40kg with one carry-on bag of up to 12kg, plus one personal item of up to 5kg.
Entertainment
Netflix is off the hook, with ample on-demand entertainment options. A seat-to-seat chat application proves a novel, if slightly clunky, way to talk to my husband several rows ahead. Etihad Wi-Fi plans now include unlimited data, with streaming from $US19.99 ($30).
Service
The carrier’s reputation for stellar service is evidenced by a near-mortifying amount of staff trying to assist when I have Wi-Fi troubles.
Food
Another glass of Duval-Leroy Brut Reserve? Oh yes. The $140-a-bottle inflight champagne is a lavish prelude to Arabic mezze, followed by braised beef with jus and herbed mash. The star, however, is the pillowy breakfast omelette with the lot. Wine gets an honourable mention; that Bordeaux and steak sandwich is a heavenly match.
One more thing
We switch from a Boeing 777-300ER to one of the newer Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in Abu Dhabi. The latter feels vastly more modern, with more in-built storage, larger screens and more tech.
Verdict
It’s a supremely cushy way to do an otherwise taxing service to Europe, with the best saved for last.
Our rating out of five
★★★★★
The writer travelled courtesy of Etihad Airways, see etihad.com.
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