Last week, I traveled to Abu Dhabi and Dubai with Wayne Tallman, a member of Global Traveler‘s Advisory Board, to visit some key accounts in the region. Our first stop was Etihad Airways, where we had a complete tour of their facilities covering nearly every facet of this top-notch aviation player.

I was most impressed with the command center where all Etihad flights are monitored all over the world. Any delays or issues can be dealt with in real time, allowing better ability for passenger connections. Next was a series of meetings, presentations and review of actual classes for flight attendant training at Etihad. Food presentation and design; onboard safely; emergency training; first-, business- and economy-class simulations were all a part of our day. We were particularly impressed with Etihad’s onboard chef program for first-class passengers and its training of food and beverage managers for business and first classes, in which the airline takes hospitality experience personal and moves it into the airline. For example, on our flight to Abu Dhabi, our chef Thomas was formally trained at the Westin and The Fairmont Dubai.

Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan took some time in the middle of the day for an upcoming One on One for Global Traveler. He has great vision for the airline, which has seen enormous growth and profitability. Mr. Hogan is just at the cusp of Etihad’s growth, and although everyone we met with at the airline told us there was no play to become a “big airline,” their growth is infectious.

We also played some great golf in Abu Dhabi at Yas Links and in Dubai at Al Badia with my good friends Rob and Brenda Wells.

A terrific trip and very interesting for future issues of Global Traveler!

— Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO