Airlines
A Mixed
Bag
While there’s no question Etihad is at the forefront of the global airline scene, the business class product on its A330 aircraft flying between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong doesn’t give the best first impression, discovers Nick Walton
Check In/The Lounge
level, and a built-in magazine holder above a small drinks
I checked in at Abu Dhabi’s international airport using
shelf, with room for very small items under the armrest.
a sophisticated, designated business and first-class
There’s a 15-inch monitor built into the seatback in front,
check-in hall and walked ten minutes to the airline’s
below which the tray table is awkwardly bolted. For
Premium Lounge, which has to be one of the best we’ve
connectivity, there are USB and AC ports at foot level,
encountered. There’s a concierge that actually fixes
with a headphone jack and additional ports hidden under
problems, a stand-up bar that mixes a mean martini, a
the armrest. While the seat isn’t our favourite, it’s perfectly
Six Senses Spa that offers complimentary 15-minute
adequate for medium-haul flights like Abu Dhabi to Hong
treatments, shower suites and a barber shop, and an
Kong.
extensive hot and cold buffet. Even when full the lounge is spacious, elegant, and welcoming.
The Cabin
Dining I’m greeted by a charming cabin manager in a spotless white jacket, who offers me a glass of Piper-Heidsieck
Unfortunately, things take a small step down once we
champagne, a hot towel, and a menu (though no amenity
board the A330, the business class cabin of which seems
kit). It’s a late-night flight and many passengers had
impossibly cluttered, ill-designed, and rather weathered.
dined in the lounge so that they can sleep as much as
While most airlines try to use every square inch as efficiently
possible. I order the Arabic mezze platter, followed by dill
as possible, the Etihad A330 business class product looks
poached prawns with sesame red cabbage; and a beef
like it’s been repurposed rather than specifically designed
tenderloin with roast potatoes, baby carrots and a shiitake
for the aircraft and at every turn there’s negative space.
mushroom sauce, which I pair with a New Zealand pinot
With the staggered 1-2-1 configuration, seat selection
noir from Otago. For breakfast I choose natural yoghurt
requires some careful consideration so be sure to select
with cranberry, sunflower and flax seeds; and a seeded
yours well in advance of travel.
laugen roll with smoked salmon and crème fraiche, which
The Seat
is the perfect snack for an early arrival.
The 185-centimetre-long lie-flat Solstys-style seats are
Service
comfortable but offer little in the way of privacy, especially
Etihad has made a name for itself with its world-class
those window seats with armrests against the fuselage,
service and while its A330 product might not be its best
which have virtually nothing between passenger and aisle,
offering, the service on the Abu Dhabi-Hong Kong flight is
ensuring plenty of spilt champagne and a sore shoulder
top notch. The crew is friendly, welcoming, attentive and
but the end of the journey. In addition, there’s almost no
efficient, serving drinks and dinner quickly after takeoff,
storage space; there’s an odd panel-styled light fixture
and ensuring guests could dine and sleep and are always
(which is very obtrusive to other passengers) at shoulder
on hand throughout the flight. www.ethihad.com
20 WWW.EXPLORER-MAGAZINE.COM
