Review: Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport

The flight from Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles was scheduled for 8:45AM, so I ordered Etihad’s chauffeur service to pick me up at 4:30AM.

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Yes, that’s super early, but:

• I planned on it taking 45 minutes to get to the airport, which would get me there by 5:15AM
• I wanted to leave about two hours in the lounge, so that I could have breakfast and a spa treatment
• You’re supposed to leave the lounge and head towards the US pre-clearance facility two hours before departure, though I wanted to be a bit earlier since I assumed there would be some pre-flight festivities for an inaugural flight

Since I was on a screwed up schedule to begin with, the early departure worked out quite well for me. I had napped the previous afternoon, so just pulled an all nighter, and was planning on sleeping aboard the flight.

When I arrived outside the hotel at 4:20AM the driver was already waiting for me in an Audi. One thing I find interesting about Etihad’s chauffeur is that they don’t do anything to differentiate between the first and business class chauffeur service. That’s no big deal, ultimately, though Emirates does provide first class passengers with different cars.

Etihad Chauffeur Abu Dhabi

The driver was friendly, though drove below the speed limit the entire way to the airport. So it did in fact take about 40 minutes to get there, and we arrived right at 5AM.

Etihad Chauffeur Abu Dhabi

The Etihad first & business class check-in is located at the far end of Terminal 3, so he dropped me off there. Usually there are bellmen waiting to assist with your bags, though I was surprised to find no one waiting outside.

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi first & business class check-in

Abu Dhabi Airport terminal exterior

Abu Dhabi Airport terminal exterior

As a matter of fact, I was surprised to walk inside and find no agents at the counters either. I kind of assumed Abu Dhabi Airport was 24/7, given the around the clock departures. But an agent approached me and explained that check-in apparently only opens at 5:30AM. Hmmm….

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi first & business class check-in

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi first & business class check-in

So I took a seat on the couch by the entrance and connected to the free Wi-Fi for a few minutes.

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi first & business class check-in

After about 15 minutes an agent approached me and said she could check me in. We walked past the business class counters (which don’t have seating), to the first class section, where I was invited to take a seat while she processed my check-in.

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi business class check-in

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi first class check-in

She commented that I was on the inaugural flight to Los Angeles, and handed me a gift, which I thought was cute.

I was quickly checked in, though in the meantime another passenger showed up and was also helped. He was also on the Los Angeles flight, and within a few minutes asked about the possibility of upgrading. And when I say “asked about an upgrade,” I mean that he informed the agent to give him an upgrade. “I want to upgrade and have more than enough miles, so do it.” She tried to be polite, though the guy sure was demanding…

Etihad Airways LAX inaugural flight gift

I quickly proceeded through the UAE immigration checkpoint, which took only a few seconds. I then cleared security, which is an absolute joke. I put my stuff on the belt, but the “screener” was having a conversation and looking the other direction the entire time that my bags went through the x-ray.

Immediately past the checkpoint is some duty free shopping. While the shops are high end, the airport itself is relatively modest for the UAE.

Abu Dhabi Airport airside terminal

Immediately to the right of the security checkpoint is the entrance to the Etihad Lounge.

Etihad Airways First & Business Class Lounge entrance Abu Dhabi

There’s an elevator which leads up to the second floor, where the lounge reception is located.

Etihad Airways First & Business Class Lounge elevator Abu Dhabi

The first and business class lounges share a single reception desk, and if you’re in first class you’ll be escorted to the door which leads to the first class lounge.

The Etihad first class lounge is small but nicely appointed. There’s a hallway at the entrance, and if you walk all the way through you’ll get to the main seating area.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi

There are several couches and comfortable lounge chairs (sort of) overlooking the tarmac.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi seating area

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi seating area

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi view

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi view

Immediately next to that is an entertainment center.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi entertainment center

Then there’s a TV room.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi TV room

And a small business center with two iMacs.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi business center

I settled into one of the seats by the windows, and was quickly approached by a server and offered a hot towel and beverage. They’re fairly attentive about serving drinks and offering the food menu anywhere in the lounge. I tried to connect to the Wi-Fi, though it’s exceptionally slow in this lounge, unfortunately.

I briefly stopped at the Six Senses Spa to try to schedule an appointment. The first available appointment was at 6:30AM, so I took that. Treatments are 15 minutes, and you have the choice between a few different types of treatments — I selected a neck and shoulder massage.

I had to fill out a form, and was told to return shortly before 6:30AM.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa

At that point I figured I’d have breakfast, so headed to the restaurant area. It’s a really nice setup, with quite a bit of privacy thanks to partitions and curtains.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi restaurant

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi restaurant

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi restaurant

All the food in the lounge is a la carte, and they have a fairly extensive menu.

The breakfast menu read as follows:

And for reference, the lunch/dinner menu read as follows:

I started my meal with a mimosa and cappuccino, which was accompanied by a hot towel.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi breakfast

Then to start I had a fruit plate, which was tasty and unique — not your usual pineapple, watermelon, and cantaloupe.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi breakfast — fruit starter

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi breakfast — fruit starter

Then I had a side of wheat toast.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi breakfast — wheat toast

And a veggie egg white scramble, which was served on toast.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi breakfast — scrambled eggs

All-in-all, a very tasty and filling breakfast!

I sat at the table a bit longer getting some work done, and at 6:25AM headed over to the spa. There I was introduced to my massage therapist, who was Sri Lankan. I generally have low expectations for a 15 minute chair massage, but this guy was simply amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so refreshed after a 15 minute chair massage.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa massage room

While I didn’t shower at the airport, the Six Senses Spa does have a couple of shower rooms, which are reasonably nice (though not quite like the Cabanas at the Cathay Pacific Wing in Hong Kong).

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa shower room

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa shower room

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Six Senses Spa shower room

I decided to leave the lounge at around 6:45AM. I realize that’s probably earlier than I had to leave, but I was assuming there would be some sort of gate party due to the inaugural, and had checked out all the features of the lounge. And for everything from hereon out I leave you with my post about the Abu Dhabi Airport United States Immigration Pre-Clearance Facility.

Clue: it’s an absolute clusterf&^#!

Bottom Line on Etihad First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi

As far as I’m concerned these are four of the best airport lounges in the world:

• Emirates A380 First Class Lounge in Dubai
• Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt
• Thai Airways First Class Lounge & Spa in Bangkok
• Air France First Class Lounge Paris

The Etihad First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi is nice. For such a small lounge they really do maximize it well, between the Six Senses Spa and dining area. However, other than that I really don’t think it’s that special.

I’d say this lounge is in the same general league as:

• British Airways Concorde Room London Heathrow
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse New York JFK
• Cathay Pacific Wing Hong Kong
• American Express Centurion Lounge Dallas
• Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge Istanbul
• Singapore Airlines Private Room Singapore

Again, I’m not suggesting all those lounges are equal in quality, but I do believe they’re all not quite as good as the top four lounges, yet much better than your “average” business/first class lounge.

If you’ve visited the Etihad first class lounge in Abu Dhabi, what did you think?