On the Ground: As I arrived at Abu Dhabi International Airport, a friendly baggage attendant immediately greeted me, placed my luggage on a cart and escorted me inside the terminal to the check-in desk. There was no line, and I checked in within five minutes. I encountered another short process at security, so I had time to enter the first- and business-class lounge. The lounge is quite large and spacious but also offers private areas ideal for business travelers who wish to work. I checked out the assortment of food and beverages and enjoyed a quick breakfast and a latte at the lounge’s coffee bar. Before proceeding to the gate, I went through the U.S. preclearance facility for customs and immigration. After a five-minute wait in line, I was directed to a customs officer who welcomed me home within a minute. I was satisfied with the efficient and seamless preclearance customs process.
Pre-Flight: I entered the aircraft and was greeted by the flight attendant and directed to my seat in the business-class cabin. Shortly after I was seated, an attendant came around with a tray of drink options and warm towels. Once I settled in, the flight attendant offered a variety of reading materials. I chose a couple of magazines, made myself comfortable in my seat and was ready for takeoff.
In-Flight: My seat was in the front row of business class in one of the two middle seats. I appreciated the direct aisle access close to the restroom area. A section divider allowed for privacy but could be removed if desired or if you are traveling with a companion. The seat converted into a fully flat bed which I found comfortable and spacious. I enjoyed the variety of entertainment selections available on the 15.4-inch touch-screen TV, including a nice variety of new and old movies and TV shows. While I typically prefer to use my own headphones, the noise-canceling headset worked well throughout the flight. After watching two movies, I browsed the large library of music.
The amenity kits offered travel essentials including lip balm, hand lotion and eye shades, all of which I used. I liked the style of the bag, which I decided to keep and reuse. Etihad’s dining on demand is flexible and allows passengers to eat whenever they choose and as often as they like throughout the flight. I first chose from the à la carte menu and started with a satisfying bowl of white bean soup. For my entrée, I enjoyed the baked chicken served with vegetables and lemon rice. While the meal was filling, later in the flight I browsed the Kitchen Anytime menu and ordered a selection of cheeses, which paired nicely with my glass of Bordeaux from the beverage list. I asked the flight attendant for mixed nuts which were not listed on the menu, and she brought me a small dish, which I appreciated.
The Experience: I was pleased with my business-class experience on Etihad. There seemed to be a large staff on board, all attentive and friendly. The mood lighting system created a calm atmosphere which made me feel quite relaxed throughout the flight. The U.S. preclearance process made for an easy arrival to JFK, where I was able to walk directly to baggage claim without any interruptions or stops. Overall, I had a pleasant experience flying with Etihad, and I would certainly fly with the airline again.
GT CHECKLIST
[checklist]
[item check=yes]Less than 10 minutes for check-in[/item]
[item check=yes]Friendly and helpful agents[/item]
[item check=yes]Priority tagged baggage[/item]
[item check=yes]Airport lounge[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary in-lounge food[/item]
[item check=yes]Priority boarding[/item]
[item check=yes]Helpful and courteous flight attendants[/item]
[item check=yes]Pre-flight beverage service[/item]
[item check=yes]Pre-flight newspapers and magazines[/item]
[item check=yes]Extensive on-demand entertainment[/item]
[item check=yes]Amenity kits[/item]
[item check=yes]Slippers[/item]
[item check=yes]Lie-flat seat/bed[/item]
[item]Turn-down service[/item]
[item check=yes]In-flight menu with three entrée choices[/item]
[item check=yes]Top-shelf wines and liquors[/item]
[/checklist]
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 21, 2023Salem, Massachusetts, Announces 2023 Festival Schedule
The town of Salem, Massachusetts, may get a lot of attention come October and Halloween, but this year-round destination offers a full schedule of festivals perfect for any season.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
Daily
Mar 21, 20234 Lesser-Known Museums to Add to Your Madrid Trip
With some of the world’s most iconic artists hailing from Spain, narrowing down which museum to visit when in Madrid can be challenging. Often, the fun of visiting a museum goes away when feeling pressured to see absolutely every famous work of art in a museum. Instead of venturing to one of Madrid’s larger and more well-known museums, choose one of these lesser-known museums for an equally enriching (and less-crowded) experience:
Daily
Mar 21, 20237 Hotels Prepare to Celebrate the Coronation in London, Ireland, Scotland
The coronation of King Charles III will be held Saturday, May 6, and seven hotels around London, Ireland and Scotland will get in on the festivities with different offers and amenities.
Daily
Mar 20, 2023Luxury La Casa del Playa, Riviera Maya, Opens Estero Restaurant to Guests, Area Visitors
The 2-year-old La Casa de la Playa, an exclusive, award-winning luxury boutique hotel by Grupo Xcaret, recently announced the opening of its signature Estero restaurant to the general public.
Blue Zone Culinary Tour of Sardinia
Daily
Mar 20, 20235 Great Hotel Terraces and Rooftops
Daily
Mar 17, 2023Daily
Mar 16, 2023Wellness, Wildlife & Scenery at Alaska’s Tutka Bay Lodge
Within the Wild Adventure Company, a transformative adventure company in Alaska, ushers in a new vision for its hospitality offerings. Celebrating 40 years in south-central Alaska, with founders Carl and Kirsten Dixon at the helm, the mutigeneration-run company now focuses on a series of new adventure and wellness programs at its Tutka Bay Lodge, including the addition of a luxury-focused collection of hospitality services to add to its already outstanding reputation in Alaska.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
March 2023
Mar 16, 2023Arctic Adventure: Embark on an Eco-Friendly Expedition in Greenland
Is Greenland really green?
ShareThis