I won’t rehash everything here, but suffice to say that the day leading up to the inaugural Etihad A380 flight was one of the most stressful travel days I’ve had. See these posts:
Anyway, I arrived at Abu Dhabi Airport at around 10PM for the 2:35AM flight to London Heathrow. I had a day room at the Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi so I could sleep, given that I didn’t get any sleep the night before and wanted to be well rested for the flight.
Upon arriving at the airport I headed to the premium check-in area at Terminal 3, which is where most of Etihad’s longhaul flights depart from.
Etihad terminal exterior Abu Dhabi
Etihad’s first class check-in is quite personalized, in that you can be seated across from the agent while your check-in is being processed. I quickly had my boarding pass printed and headed towards immigration and security.
Etihad business class check-in Abu Dhabi
I was through both within about 10 minutes. Just past security was the entrance to the old Etihad First & Business Class Lounge, which is presently being transformed into the Etihad First & Residence Lounge. I’ve been told that the new lounge should open around April, and based on what I’ve heard it should be spectacular.
The fact that they’re transforming the entire First & Business Lounge into just a First & Residence Lounge suggests they’ll have space working in their favor, if nothing else.
Etihad’s future first class lounge under construction
In the meantime I headed over to the new Etihad Premium Business Class Lounge (it only opened last year), which is located near gate 35.
Abu Dhabi Terminal 3 is reasonably nice — there’s lots of duty free shopping, though it’s not quite as “grand” as the A380 concourse in Dubai, for example.
Terminal 3 Abu Dhabi Airport
Terminal 3 Abu Dhabi Airport
Enroute to the lounge I passed gate 33, where the Etihad A380 inaugural flight would be departing from in a few hours time. I couldn’t help but smile, knowing I’d be on it.
A380 inaugural flight departure gate
Terminal 3 Abu Dhabi Airport
The signage for the lounge is quite good, and the new Premium Lounge is located just before the US Pre-Clearance facility. You can also find some of the Priority Pass options available in Terminal 1, in case you have a credit card with lounge access. So around gate 35 you turn left, which brings you down a neon-lit hallway.
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi signage
Terminal 3 Abu Dhabi Airport
Then the Etihad Premium Lounge is located on the left.
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi entrance
There was a bit of a queue to get in, though once they saw I was a first class passenger they brought me over to a separate desk. Since there’s not presently a first class lounge, Etihad instead has a partitioned off section of the Premium Lounge for first class passenger, with a special menu and more personalized service. It’s actually a pretty cool setup.
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi reception
Suzanna, one of the first class agents, escorted me to the first class section.
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi
It was partitioned off from the rest of the lounge with a rope, and there were maybe a few dozen seats. It was a comfortable area, and for the most part stayed empty. I can’t say enough about how attentive the service in the lounge was — Amal, the lounge manager, is a class act, and together with his team they really do a hell of a job. Suzanna checked on me every few minutes to see if I wanted anything to drink or eat, if I wanted to schedule a spa treatment, etc.
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi first class seating
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi first class seating
My one major complaint about the first class section is that there’s a shortage of power plugs. They literally had to unplug the lamp in order for me to be able to charge my laptop. Kind of ridiculous for a newly designed lounge, in my opinion.
For what it’s worth, right next to the first class section is the Residence section of the lounge. Since Etihad only has one A380 as of now, it’s just a single small “private” partitioned off area of sorts. It features a dining table for two, two couches, etc. Presumably service in there is super attentive, and they even have a special menu just for Residence passengers. I can’t wait to see what kind of a Residence Lounge Etihad introduces when the new First & Residence Lounge opens in a couple of months time.
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi The Residence seating
In terms of the rest of the lounge, I do think it’s really impressive for a business class lounge. There’s tons of seating, both in the dining area and in the more “relaxed” area.
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi dining area
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi dining area
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi dining area
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi seating
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi seating
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi seating
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi seating
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi seating
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi seating
There’s also a pretty blingy looking bar in the center of the lounge.
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi bar
Then there’s a business center as well, with several computers and a printer:
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi business center
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi business center
And then there’s what they call “The Den,” which are basically semi-private areas from which to watch TV.
Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi entertainment zone
For a business class lounge the food spread was especially impressive. Not only was there a huge variety, but everything actually looked tasty, which is rare in a lounge, in my opinion.
There was a buffet with mostly appetizer and dessert options.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
And then a buffet with hot dishes and other more substantial items.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
From Western to Asian to Arabic, the spread really was top notch.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet
In addition to comfortable seating and a great food spread, the lounge has two other cool features. First of all, there’s a Six Senses Spa.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa
Both first & business class passengers receive a complimentary 15 minute massage or facial treatment, from the following options:
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa menu
As a first class passenger, Suzanna took care of the appointment for me. She brought me the menu and asked me what time I wanted the massage, and it was taken care of immediately.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa
I had a fantastic 15 minute back support massage, which was awesome. As usual I tried to tip after the treatment, and was told “that’s really not necessary.” I guess it’s their policy to say that, but when I insisted the masseuse took the tip.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa
Another cool feature is the Style & Shave Salon, which offers everything from hair treatments to shaves to manicures to blow drys. What an awesome idea!
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Style & Shave
Here’s the menu of services (first class passengers receive one complimentary treatment, while business class passengers have to pay):
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Style & Shave menu
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Style & Shave menu
There’s even a shoe shine station.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Style & Shave menu
Once back at my seat in the first class lounge I decided to get some food from the buffet. While the champagne on offer in the business class lounge is Lanson, first class passengers are offered Billecart.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi dinner
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi dinner
I also asked for a cocktail that most closely resembled me (sweet and sassy, of course!), and was brought a goblet of delicious juice along with a cheese plate.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi dinner
And then I was offered a fruit plate to finish off the meal.
Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi dinner
Shortly after midnight some festivities emerged in the lounge in celebration of the A380 inaugural. Two lovely waiters offered me a glass of rose and some canapes. They said “this is in celebration of our first Airbus A380 flight to London.” Who knew? 😉
Etihad A380 inaugural festivities
Etihad A380 inaugural festivities
Etihad A380 inaugural festivities
At around 1AM it was time to head down to the departure gate, which was only a two minute walk away.
Etihad A380 inaugural festivities
There were a ton of suits in attendance, which is sort of impressive for 1AM.
Etihad A380 inaugural festivities
There was even a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Chief Operations Officer of Abu Dhabi Airport, as well as five executives from Etihad (including the SVP of Network Operations, VP of Guest Services, COO, SVP of Technical, and VP of Guest Experience).
Etihad A380 inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony
Etihad A380 Abu Dhabi Airport
There was a ton of anticipation as boarding was about to begin, as it became apparent that almost everyone in first class was an “enthusiast.”
The highlight was Gino Bertuccio (one of the coolest guys I know), the first Residence passenger, being introduced to “his” butler, Georgina.
The first Residence passenger and the first Residence butler
Here’s a video Gino did before the trip about his expectations of the flight:
At 1:35AM, an hour before departure, boarding finally commenced. Off we were onto what was possibly my most anticipated flight ever!
Etihad Premium Lounge bottom line
This is definitely one of the better business class lounges out there. Between the comfortable seating, fresh interior, Six Senses Spa, Style & Shave Salon, and excellent manager Amal, this lounge is a winner. Even as a first class passenger I thought it was really nice, given how personalized the service was — I almost prefer it to the old Etihad First Class Lounge.
Now I just can’t wait to see what Etihad has in store for us with their new First & Residence Lounge!
If you’ve visited the new Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi, what was your experience?
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