[Click above for the video review.]
Airline: Etihad Airways
Flight Number: EY378
Route: AUH-MLE
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner
Registration: A6-BMD
Delivered: December 2018
Flight Duration: 4 Hours
Distance: 1,876 Miles
Overall Impression:
It had been a while since we last flew with Etihad Airways, so we were curious to see how their business class experience has evolved in recent years. One of the biggest changes on the ground is the move to Zayed International Airport (formerly the Midfield Terminal), which officially opened in 2024. With it came Etihad’s brand-new, multi-level business class lounge—an impressive upgrade from their previous offering.
Onboard, Etihad continues to operate its Business Studio seats on the Boeing 787, a product that has aged reasonably well. While not as cutting-edge as newer suites with doors, the seat still offers a good balance of comfort and privacy for long-haul travel. More noticeably, Etihad has refreshed its soft product, with the introduction of Casa Armani-branded amenities across the experience—from bedding and pajamas to tableware and amenity kits—giving the cabin a more elevated and cohesive feel.
Catering out of Abu Dhabi was another strong point, with meals that were both flavorful and well presented. This was complemented by an excellent cabin crew, who were friendly, attentive, and consistently engaging throughout the flight. Overall, this felt like a refined and well-rounded business class experience, with noticeable improvements in the details.
What I liked:
The New Etihad Business Lounge at Zayed International Airport – The new lounge at Zayed International Airport is a major step up. The space is expansive, thoughtfully designed, and blends modern aesthetics with subtle Emirati influences. Unlike the older lounge, it never felt overcrowded during our visit, and there was no shortage of comfortable seating.
The main dining area features both a full buffet and made-to-order dishes, offering plenty of variety.
Upstairs, the second and third levels include additional seating areas, a bar, a kids’ play area, and more dining spaces—making it easy to find a quiet corner to relax before boarding.
The Seats – The Business Studio seat still holds up well. While it lacks the full privacy of newer suites with doors, it remains comfortable and functional. The seat offers ample space for lounging and dining, and I had no trouble settling in for a short nap after the meal. It’s a product that may not wow anymore, but it delivers where it counts.
The Food – Catering on this flight with Etihad Airways was a definite highlight. The meal service began shortly after takeoff with the beverage service along with some nuts, setting a relaxed and premium tone for the rest of the experience.
The starters—marinated prawn with seared tuna alongside a selection of Arabic mezze—were both beautifully presented and packed with flavor, offering a great mix of freshness and richness. The starters were also served with a side salad and artisan bread.
For the mains, we sampled the chicken biryani and the sea bream, both of which were excellent. The dishes were well-balanced, flavorful, and thoughtfully plated, making them stand out for a flight of this length.
To round things off, dessert featured a combination of ice cream and a raspberry opera cake—rich, indulgent, and a satisfying end to an already impressive meal service.
The onboard service – Service on this flight was excellent, especially for a medium-haul sector. The crew struck a great balance between professionalism and warmth. Pre-departure drinks and hot towels were offered, and meal service was timed according to our preference, which added a nice personalized touch. Throughout the flight, the crew remained attentive and visible, regularly checking in to ensure passengers were comfortable.
Amenities – Compared to our previous Etihad flight on this route, the upgrade in amenities was very noticeable. The Casa Armani-branded amenity kit and slippers were already waiting at our seats, paired with matching bedding that elevated the overall feel of the cabin. The business class lavatory was also consistently clean and well stocked with basic toiletries.
What I didn’t like:
No Personal Air Nozzles – This continues to be a minor frustration. The lack of individual air vents means you can’t fully control your personal comfort. That said, the cabin temperature was kept pleasantly cool throughout the flight, which helped mitigate the issue.
It was OK…I guess:
The IFE – Etihad’s e-BOX entertainment system is solid, if not particularly cutting-edge. The interface is responsive and easy to navigate, with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games to choose from.
Wi-Fi was available for purchase at $10 for the entire flight, with speeds that were sufficient for basic browsing, email, and social media. Noise-canceling headphones were also provided and performed well enough for a comfortable viewing experience.
Bottom Line:
This flight with Etihad Airways shows a product that may not be the newest in the sky, but still delivers a very solid and refined business class experience. The updated Casa Armani soft product, strong catering, and genuinely warm service all help elevate the journey, while the new lounge at Zayed International Airport is a major improvement on the ground. While the seat lacks the wow factor of newer suites and the absence of air vents remains a drawback, the overall experience is comfortable, polished, and thoroughly enjoyable.
TravelingFoody.com 