Etihad A321LR First Class: Strange, Unique, And Exclusive... I'm A Fan!

I really hate the idea of making a business plus or studio or suite or whatsoever a first class. It is simply not. The first class seat is more comfortable than just adding a few useless space on business class seat. Though I did agree the price of this is true a business class price, I would say probably sell it as business plus would be more reasonable.

Frankly this looks great. An enhanced hard product but a superior soft product which one expects of Etihad.

Seeing caviar served on a narrowbody is a first for me and glad to see one of your favorite drinks on the menu 😉

Another thing I appreciate about this is it brings F to more markets like Phnom Penh and Phuket! What Champagne were they serving? Last I heard it was Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018 (which is a vast improvement over the previous offering, Billecart-Salmon 2016). Am curious what they are pouring in the F lounge too.

It is not made for point to point sales, but rather for connections. I would much rather fly US-AUH-KTI with the first segment being true F and the second segment being this product rather than the second segment being business, which is how it has been historically, and would continue to be if this product didn’t exist.

I don’t expect anyone to buy a ticket AUH-KTI and pay for this product, but when connecting through AUH it’s a big improvement.

@ Motion to Dismiss -- Indeed, they were pouring La Grande Dame. In the lounge they were in theory pouring the same thing, but they had a selection available. I agree with you that it's cool to see first class expanded to markets where you wouldn't otherwise expect it.

I've long thought that given the improvements we've seen in Business Class hard products over the past decade or two, airlines should increasingly shift to doing something like this. Offer a slightly improved hard product, you really don't need much more than what biz typically offers nowadays, but really differentiate yourself on soft product. Dining, lounges, mileage earning & baggage allowances, and ground services. It comes with a much lower fixed cost to airlines and I feel they could really take advantage of the network effects of being able to offer FC on more routes to attract connecting passengers rather than just offering FC on the most premium routes as many airlines are doing nowadays.

Just my opinion, but I believe First Class is offered to the aforementioned markets because it's mostly driven by tourism, so it would make sense for passengers especially from Europe and even the Americas who are going on holiday and are flying First Class to be offered First Class all the way rather than offering it on the initial leg of their journey. And it's additional revenue for them with high rollers. I'm sure First Class wouldn't be offered on a foreign labour market such as Jakarta or Manila.

Was this part of a connecting ticket? How much did it cost in total?

@ JD -- Yes, I booked a paid first class ticket from KTI to AUH to CDG. The ticket would've cost $2,700 in cash, though I redeemed Chase points as cash toward the cost of the ticket (before the 1.5 cent redemption option was eliminated), so I used 180K Chase points.

Great to hear they also had La Grande Dame in the lounge! I have some long layovers coming up there, will absolutely take advantage of that.

I don't get why you prefer reverse herringbone. I don't like my head next to the aisle

How did the service compare to Biz. Obviously not as good, but I wonder what the biz class amenities and menu were like?

When one is accustomed to the EY, F experience, one wonders if the FA traffic serving the J customers was an unpleasant distraction Ben? Then there is the lavatory traffic to contend with too …. thank goodness for the sliding door.

Pros and cons either way I guess, and preferences.
It looks like the walls extend quite a bit past the head at the aisle, so maybe easier to immerse yourself in the seat and possibly glimpse out the window, rather than having everything in the cabin be in full view.

@Ben - How well signed is the first class row in the cabin? I would imagine that the business class passengers right behind you would notice that the first row is getting a totally different soft product - caviar, etc - and be confused about it. Did any of them say anything or enquire with the FAs about the service? "Can I get some caviar too?"

180k chase points seem egregious imo 🙂 but I guess if you have a lotttt of points why not. Is the second leg the residences?

Good question Mick, the Residence for one person would work for me, but definitely not for two experienced travellers.
My money is on two of AF’s La Premiere suites across an isle, in preference to either the two central suites or the Residence. I will tell all next year after we have experienced our first La Premiere flight to SIN.

Didn't your man keep them far away from you? After all, wouldn't want you to get your knickers in a twist.

On the subject of new Airbus seating, however , on the A350. It is understood that Airbus have designed a new First Class Suite complete with en-suite facilities.
Should be very interesting ….

Where does the crew rests on these planes? 6h40m is a pretty long flight, and you saw it yourself, 3 flight attendants in the small galley in the front (assuming that EY A321LR front galley is the same size than the standard A32x) is not really huge. I once flew SAS A321LR to JFK, and the crew were resting on jump seats by the door. It was so cold, they had to put blanket on the floor, and wrap themselves up. So I was wondering if you had any input from your experience with Etihad, maybe for the trip report?

Etihad sells ticket as first class fare although only one segment is operated by 787-9 with F or A380. Thus, with A321LR, it makes more sense because the passengers can enjoy almost fully first service on board instead of 1 First and 1 Business. Even compared to new element suites on 787-9, this first seat is much more spacious and comfortable.

I ready with interest your article as I was one of the skeptics that did not get the First placement, and also whether Etihad could pull it off.

From all the reviews, and all the YouTube videos, it seems like Etihad is going to set the standard for narrow body travel with this product.

I do agree with you that the best part to make it a commercial success has been the pricing of the product which is strategic, common sense, and overall well done.

Thank you for bringing us on the journey.

I'm headed out in Business 2A and 2B (right behind the 2 F seats) coming up on the 321lr. It includes chauffer access in J in AUH which I am trying to figure out how to utilize with a 7 hour layover.

As a reference point - Right now the First Class bidding starts at 1660QAR (About $450USD) per pax for a 7 hour flight departing from AUH on the A321lr from J to F.