Review: Etihad Airways First Class A340-500 Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles

Finally the trip report we have a been waiting for! As always, your report did not disappoint! Loved it.

@ Simo -- Thanks! Intended to post it over the weekend, but 72 hours of downtime killed the chance of that happening...

Any sense of how often the dine on demand issues are seen? Is it super common to have potluck as the only option?

Really enjoyed this report. Thanks!

Personally, I appreciate the self-service bars or minibars some airlines have. Saves having to ask for something little every time. It's just much more convenient to have a bottle that you can just reach for and take a small sip out of before going right back to sleep. Or if you just wanted to snack on something while watching a movie. I really hate being 'disturbed' in the middle of the movie, even if it is really me pausing the show to speak to the FA. 🙂

@ Neil S. -- On past flight they've always run out of many options as landing approaches, but never this many. I know Gary reports not ever having run across an issue like this, and he has done quite a few Etihad segments.

Oh and I just wanted to ask:
Etihad vs Singapore. Which do you think has the better overall product?

@ Charlie -- That's a toughie, really depends on route, crew, etc. I'd say it's tough to beat a daytime Singapore A380 Suites Class flight, though...

What were the loads like in J and Y?

@ Joe -- Just about every seat was occupied in all three cabins.

Love the trip reports.

Meant to ask this awhile ago, but always forget. How do you take all the great pictures of the take-off and landing? Are things different in 1st class? I'm always told to put electronics away at those times and the FA seem to think that includes cameras.

Thanks!

@ Jim -- I'm just discreet about taking pictures and take them once the crew is seated, so I've never had an issue.

I dunno, their menu, with the exception of the Grill section, looks like a standard first class menu you'd find on other airlines (in terms of number and type of options). Then again, that Grill section alone makes their dining menu pretty unique and special.

To run out of most food options in first class is pretty embarrassing. Running out while on an inaugural flight? That's just beyond sad. And this is Etihad, deep pockets is something they definitely have...

Thanks for the great report! Couldn't help notice that the croissant in the pre-landing pastries looks like the Burj Al Arab. Wonder if that was on purpose, LOL.

Looks like your plane didn't have live TV as part of the E-Box system, unfortunately. Just had that on AUH-JFK recently - pretty amazing to be able to watch the World Cup live while in the air! I know the award space is widely-regarded to be excellent - does that apply for 2 passengers as well?

Pretty hard to see what the value of pre-clearance is if it makes both the departure and arrival procedures overly complicated.

I would have been furious to be told that they had almost no food left and would have escalated the matter to the cabin manager. I guess the lesson learned is to order what you want for the whole flight at the beginning and have them hold the later meal(s) in reserve.

The suites look very similar to Asiana's new A380 (but no more minibar) - must be the same manufacturer.

@Jason B, I believe EY just had livestreaming specifically for the World Cup. I read about it from this article: http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/06/etihad-flights-live-world-cup-streaming-long-haul-routes/#.U6xl8vldVp0
@Lucky, those pajamas look very similar to Emirates First pajamas (both are V-necks but different colors.)

Ben,

I assume you can pre order your end of flight mean at the beginning of the flight?

@ Todd -- I guess I should have asked, though not sure how good of a job they would have done "reserving" food. Hindsight is 20/20...

Lucky, forgot to ask, which system do you prefer, “dine when you want” or "plating at your seat" (like Turkish or Austrian do it)?

Also, maybe if Etihad hadn't loaded all of this still that wasn't on the menu (breakfast starter? satay? did they raid the business class for you?), they might have had more of the regular first class food...

Nice report!!!

Any comment on the middle seats for couples?

Is there a buddy seat?

Is it possible to order your second meal in advance? For such a long flight 2 real meals are needed .

Thanks!!

@ Beachfan -- The middle seats are great for people traveling together, as it's easy to talk. There is also a buddy seat, though if in the middle seats I prefer just dining next to one another.

@ wwk5d -- Can I choose dine when you want AND plate at your seat? 😀

That's a real toughie, I guess it really depends on the type of flight. On a quick overnight I'll take the "plating at your seat," while I prefer the "dine when you want" concept on a longhaul flight where I might not want to eat when they'd otherwise serve food.

Great report as usual. I am booked in First on the Etihad B787-9 in December and I am curious as to if there will be any significant differences compared to their First Class concept on their current flights.

Interesting. I went back and read the business class segment review from this trip. I think opting for it would be pretty defensible unless the mileage cost was close. The menu was basically comparable for the starters and snacks, and it was presented better. First definitely has more extensive mains and deserts, plus some premium alcohol, but the running out issue makes it hard to fully take advantage. The entertainment system is the same, and it sounds like the service and landing treatment was pretty similar too. Considering how private the business seat is I'm not sure the door merits the premium.

The menu listed Pepsi products but you wrote that you had a Diet Coke?

@ Paul -- Whoops, was using the term generically. It was indeed Diet Pepsi.

Thanks for another GREAT report. May have to add this flight to the finalist for my first aspirational trip. A few thoughts:
1. As I was reading the food and drink options, I kept thinking "how can they possibly have enough of ALL those options for everyone?" Well, I guess I got my answer to that. They don't.
2. I caught the coke/pepsi gaff myself. I hate to say it, but you lost a bit of respect in my book using those interchangeably. I'd drink toilet water before Pepsi. Okay, maybe not. But, I'd go thirsty first. I was so disappointed to see that they only had Pepsi on the menu, that the airline lost a bit of my respect, too. (Say what you will about Delta--and I do--but they do always serve COKE!)
3. Thank you so much for the laugh: "opened my window . . ." was great. Maybe not intended to be, but the image was priceless. ; )

Great report! I can't image how someone could survive 16+ hours in economy, though.

Out of curiosity, are you ever going to review Aeroflot?

@ Bob -- Yes, would really like to try Aeroflot at some point. Will see what I can do.

Three hour meal service sounds pretty long but I guess this is what happens when it's a full flight and you can pick whatever you want.

@ Lucky - would you say that Etihad's service approach is kind of like CX where they expect you to ask for everything, especially if you are in first-class behind a closed door?

@ Ivan Y -- Yep, I'd say that's pretty accurate, though perhaps Etihad is even less attentive than Cathay.

Just came on this flight yesterday, they switched over to a 777-200 LR plane. And yes Lucky, they do serve cappuccino even in cattle class:-) But it is a damn long flight, love the fact that you can clear customs and immigration in Abu Dhabi.

Does Tinder work up there? Surely some of the flight staff must on it as well. 😉

I'm now shaking in excitement for this flight, I mean the second food service is disappointing, but this will definitely be better then BA first or AA first, the two carriers I'm used to. Thanks for another great report!

@ Alexander Hagen -- Enjoy the trip!

Hi, I want to ask that is it necessary to tip the driver of Etihad chauffeur service?
And if so, how much do you suggest, I am not familiar with American custom....