Review: Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

Was just here in March on a layover to the Maldives. We wanted to see the Grand Mosque & popped in here for a shower. Ben's right, it's not worth hanging around in but for a hot shower & a bottle of cold water on our way out the door it fits the bill. Also, there is a place in the airport where you can pay to hold your luggage while you adventure off in your layover for anyone who wants to do the same thing.

Well, it’s the only “proper” arrivals lounge in the Middle East (Qatar Airways has a premium arrivals facility, but it doesn’t have showers).

— Incorrect. QR has a proper arrivals lounge in DOH, accessible from arrivals hall. They do have showers and a la carte food (at least pre covid). You’re probably talking about premium immigration lounge in your article here.

Ben, we spent a couple of hours in this lounge back in February while waiting for family arriving on a different flight to AUH. I agree with your overall review, however, I think there is a small correction re: Chauffeur service. You are eligible for that even on award tickets, as long as you have redeemed Etihad miles for classic award instead of booking through partner programs (which use Guest Seat award inventory). I know this since one ticket of our traveling party was booked that way and they offered to take only him on that ride even though the car was big enough to accommodate everyone from our group.

I personally love this lounge, pleasant atmosphere and fit out and the shower are very nice with good available. It is only for snacks and beverages and maybe a shower so as an arrivals lounge to freshen up in, it is perfect. Someone mentioned about rewards flights booked using Etihad Guest miles direct with Etihad, these rewards flights do not come with Chauffeur. It is possible yo book a higher class of reward flight and this maybe could include Chauffeur. However, the additional Etihad Guest Miles is around 5x the miles so it would be a very costly Chauffeur journey. It is also very possible with Etihad that they shouldn't have provided the car but did anyway - I love Etihad but it is never same experience twice. I do recall the car being included with miles flights and used it several times but I specifically recall it being withdrawn and I never received the car after that. Lovely airline and lovely lounges. A taxi from AUH to Dubai or Abu Dhabi is not expensive by Westerb Standards, if you get a taxi to nearest Dubai Metri station (UAE Exchange, I think) then it is very reasonable, especially if more than one passenger. As for the Etihad Bus, just no 🙂

This is correct. It's in front of door 2. You pass it on the way to door 3 where you catch an Uber, so it's very convenient.

You get Chauffeur service even on award tickets if you have Etihad Guest Gold or Platinum status

Am astonished by your review, as usually fly Etihad a a "gold" status member. I've been in this lounge 24/7, to find excellent food service of various cuisines, abundant attendants in the lounge and women's bathroom, pristine cleanliness throughout the lounge areas, both table service and self-serve, and well-attended restrooms (for the women's section). I'm astonished at your review - what happened???

It was once useful now only worth using the clean loo and grabbing cold water. As for Chauffeur service the fact that they now have 40 from previously many hundreds tells you how hard it is to qualify for one and they only provide them at their base whereas you previously got them for free in London with even Silver status

I really hope that the new CEO revamps this airline to its former glory because right now it is very expensive for run down or inadequate service, I'm burning miles and travel bank and shifting towards Qatar or Emirates as I write

Your expectations are too high. You assume it should be like a full lounge but you said yourself that it is mostly used as a waiting hall for the chauffeur services.

@Ben,
Qatar Airways does have showers in its premium arrivals lounge which is located after you pass through immigration (land side not airside) in the arrivals hall.

As an economy passenger, You can purchase access to this lounge. As a solo traveller, I find lounges comforting and allow decompression from other travellers. A shower and cup of tea in peace is always greatly appreciated.

Table service and self serve, you are obviously in a different lounge!

Hi! May I know if this arrivals lounge is different from the usual lounge before departure? Because
we are flying business class and arriving 5:00am in transit in Abu Dhabi, our connecting flight leaves 2:30 pm. We plan to go out of airport and drop by Louvre museum which will still open at 10:00am. Can we stay in Arrivals Lounge for a few hours then go through immigration and passport control to leave airport by ? We plan to be by the Louvre by 10:00am and leave by 11:30 am to be back at the airport by 12nn and stay at the departure business class lounge until our 2:30 pm connecting flight. Thank you for any tips and assistance.