Flight Review: Etihad A350-1000 Business Class
Let me start this piece with a forewarning: this is not your typical review but I hope it is for the better!
In April 2022, Etihad introduced its brand new A350-1000 aircraft, of which it ordered 20 so far, so it was now my turn to try out this amazingly quiet and efficient aircraft.
In addition to the actual flight, this time I had the chance to get, together with a group of other aviation media people, a whole private tour of the aircraft while it was parked at London Heathrow T4 (a terminal that is about to reopen following a massive refurbishment, will write something about this too shortly!).
And, also, before we start, full disclosure, this tour and the flight were courtesy of Etihad.
In this flight report, I will be combining some information and pictures I got during the tour with some that I took during the flight. So, you get to see it all!
Flight# EY2009
From: London Heathrow (LHR)
To: Abu Dhabi (AUH)
Flight time: 6h 45min
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
Pre-Flight Experience
The pre-flight experience was a bit different this time, because, as I mentioned earlier, we were the guests of Etihad and had a pre-view of the aircraft.
I will show the Etihad app and check-in experience in another forthcoming review of their Boeing 787-10.
We were first welcomed onboard the aircraft by representatives of Etihad. They showed us the aircraft and every nook and cranny in the cabin (including the crew rest areas of. theA350-1000, quite an interesting place that I will possibly show in another, separate post).
So, many of the pictures you will see with no people around and natural light are from that aircraft tour.
We had access to the lounge, but it was not Etihad’s own, since the terminal they will soon be operating from, LHR Terminal 4, is still not operational. So, we made ourselves comfortable at the Qantas Lounge in Terminal 3. To clarify, the A350-1000 had been parked at T4, but it was moved from there to T3, from where it departed for Abu Dhabi.
This possibly doesn’t belong to this review, since it is a temporary solution, but I would like to highlight that the Qantas lounge is really nice.
Most flights to Australia depart later in the evening, so at the time we were there it was really quiet and calm. There are, both, a buffet and an à-la-carte restaurant, in addition to a bar plus nice views of the runways and comfy seating.
The Cabin
Etihad’s A350-1000 is fitted with 44 business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration in the business class cabin and there are some differences with respect to business class cabins on other aircraft they operate, such as the B787-10.
For example, all seats are forward facing (this is kind of standard, but, as I mentioned, not always the case at Etihad!)
The seats are made by Rockwell Collins and recline completely to a fully flat position (to a full 79” when fully extended, or over 2m!). They have a modern, stylish look and they are fitted with a sliding door that makes it possible to “close” the cocoon completely.
If you are in one of the middle seats, there is also a sliding divider that provides full privacy from the neighbour to your side.
In these pictures you can get an idea of the set up and the different features and compartments available to business class passengers.
See, for example, on the aisle seat (first pic below) the two storage compartments clearly visible because of the breaks on the surface more storage spaces on the right side of the seat. In one of them you will find the headphones. and console to control the IFE system, although it is quite easy to use as well through the touch screen. Note also the console to control de recline and position of the seat.
The seat has also a retractable armrest on the side, which doubles as a storage compartment. Upon boarding you will find there a complimentary bottle of water.
There is also, of course, a retractable table under the screen that is also foldable, so it takes less space if you really don’t need it, and adjustable, so you can bring it closer or further from you.
A general view of the aisle (above) and window (below) seats so that you can see the different elements. Note, for example, the reading light on the right hand side of the seat and the layout of the different storage compartments and surfaces. On the window seat pic you can also clearly observe the sliding door, providing a high degree of privacy.
There is a 18.5’ touch screen, pretty intuitive to use and with low latency when you use its different commands.
In the IFE and Amenities section I will comment further about the content available as well as other amenities, such as this extremely fluffy blanket that added to the really nice sleep I had!
You can also use the IFE system through a separate control console, which doubles also as a second screen that you can operate independently.
Each business class seat is fitted with two lights.
The designer light on the side, in addition to adding a touch of elegance, makes also for a truly cozy atmosphere. Then, there is another retractable one that provides focalized light for reading.
And one thing that caught my eye is the wireless charger for mobile devices . To recharge your phone you simply leave your phone resting on top of this surface and it gets recharged.
There are also conventional USB and electric ports, which support different types of charger.
Other features include a hook for suits and a container for (paper) magazines and newspapers (not sure this is used much nowadays! particularly when considering how the IFE system has a pretty comprehensive press section)
Some more impressions from the cabin: the toilet (left), stands out because of this tiled walls (a feature also found in the economy class cabin). Note also the cabin lighting when it gets dark outside.
An excursion into Etihad’s economy class cabin
In case you were wondering, I also had a chance to visit the economy class cabin, so, even if I didn’t get to experience it on a normal flight, I share here some glimpses I got of it during the aircraft tour
Obviously not comparable with the business class product, but Etihad’s economy looks pretty nice for its category.
It is fitted with 327 Recaro seats. The front rows are called Economy Space, which, as the name implies, are more spacious. Seat pitch is 35”, to the 31” of Etihad’s regular economy A350-1000 class seats.
Ready to fly? Let’s go!
Look who’s watching!
Did I mention Etihad has one of the most stylish crew uniforms in the industry?
Food and Drink
This was absolutely mind-blowing. Possibly the best food I have had so far onboard any aircraft.
Let me start by saying that there is also an à-la-carte service that lets you order a variety of foods and snacks at any time during the flights, but since this was a relatively short (for Etihad’s standards) flight, of a bit less than 7h, and it run mostly during the night, the set menu, with its multiple options, were more than enough and it didn’t disappoint!
In addition to the quality of the food, the service was absolutely outstanding. We were catered by an extremely attentive crew that was also very efficient in distributing the orders and then making sure that any follow up requests was taken care of.
Because they say that an image is worth a thousand (or was it a million?) words, here below I posted a visual summary of what I had:
Lobster Salad, marinated fennel, endive and pomelo with tarragon dressing
Chicken Tikka Masala with rice pilaf, mint yoghurt, mango chutney & paratha
Assorted cheese
Sticky toffee pudding with caramel sauce
Then, of course, other drinks and coffee at differen times during the flight.
Entertainment and amenities
Let’s start by the amenity kit, another very positive surprise: a pretty solid, elegant Aqua di Parma bag, a box of very tasty chocolate truffles and the other classic of our times, the covid-health kit. Scroll down for a breakdown of each.
Let’s try to ignore the Stormtrooper looking through the window and let’s have a look at the contents of the Aqua di Parma amenity kit: a pair of socks, toothbrush and toothpaste and Aqua di Parma body lotion, eau de cologne and lip balm
Now, the sanitary kit. There is a snood (this is original!) that you can use to cover your mouth or part of your face and acts as a barrier for germs. The rest is quire standard nowadays: a mask, alcohol wipes and sanitising gel for the hands.
Let’s move onto the entertainment.
We have already seen, in the cabin section, the 18.5’ screen. It comes with a selection of movies, tv, music games (I didn’t know there was an inflight digital version of Monopoly!). There is also live TV and a press section where you can read from many different magazines which have been digitized in a way that it provides an experience similar to that of reading on paper.
The A350-1000 is fitted with internet connectivity and I had the chance to test the 350MB plan. It worked very well and very smoothly.
Although I didn’t use it very intensively, since, after all, there was so much different stuff to check, eat and enjoy, but when I used it, it worked without a glitch and I was even able to upload and download some pictures and other relatively large files.
Last but not least, the blanket was also very warm and comfy!
You get also a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Note also the IFE control console, which has its own screen. So, if you are like me, that likes to track the flight progress at all times, you can do so here while watching a movie on the large screen.
Our take
Amazing business class, a truly superb product which makes you feel the nearly 7 hours of flight are way too short!
It helps that the Airbus A350-1000 is a great aircraft, quiet, spacious and very smooth to fly, but the quality of the service and the care that, you can clearly tell, goes into every detail, is truly top class!
To close this review, a line about the business arrivals lounge at Abu Dhabi airport, which provided a service on the ground, upon arrival, on a part with that we had enjoyed so far up in the air. Which helped us go get our PCR on arrival (no longer a requirement in Abu Dhabi, but de facto necessary to do many activities and enter museums and other venues) and arranged the hotel transfers as well, all while taking care of our baggage.