Review: Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

Review: Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

NAME: Etihad Arrivals Lounge
Airport: AUH
DATE: April 2024
REVIEW RATING:
BEN SAYS: The Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi is basic but functional, with showers, a comfortable place to sit, and a modest selection of drinks.
12

After flying Etihad’s A350 business class from Chicago to Abu Dhabi, we briefly stopped in the Etihad Arrivals Lounge prior to heading to Dubai. I mainly just stopped in to be able to review it, as I wasn’t looking to shower or eat anything.

How is the Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi? 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). So it’s better than nothing, but I wouldn’t plan on spending more time here than you need to. The main intent of the Etihad Arrivals Lounge is that this is where the carrier’s chauffeur service leaves from, for eligible passengers.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi location

As is standard, the Etihad Arrivals Lounge is located landside, convenient for those arriving at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3. When you land at Abu Dhabi Airport, just follow the signage toward passport control and arrivals. You’ll first clear passport control (premium travelers have access to a fast track lane), and then you’ll pass through baggage claim and customs.

Arrivals hall Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)
Arrivals hall Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

Once you’re landside, you should continue to see signage for the Etihad Arrivals Lounge. For our arrival at Terminal 3, the lounge was located just outside the exit for immigration, with the entrance to the lounge to the right of the steep moving sidewalks.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport location

At the reception desk you’ll just have to provide your eligible boarding pass, and you’ll then be admitted.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport entrance

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi hours

The Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi is open 24/7, as it never closes. This reflects that there are flights arriving and departing all hours of the day and night in the Middle East. If anything, midday is the quietest time at the airport.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi entry requirements

The Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi is open to passengers traveling in Etihad first and business class, as well as Etihad Guest Platinum members. So make sure you hold onto your inbound boarding pass, for smooth access to the lounge.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi seating & layout

The Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi isn’t very big. When you enter from the terminal, you’ll come down a hall, leading to the main part of the lounge.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi hallway

The main part of the lounge has seating for 18 people, with five different seating “clusters.” There’s a TV in the room that’s playing international news, and the lounge basically faces the outside roadway of the airport, though you can’t really see outside due to the windows being frosted.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi seating
Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi seating
Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi seating
Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi seating

The lounge also has a small business center area with a computer.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi business center

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi food & drinks

The Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi has a very modest food selection, that’s significantly scaled down compared to the past.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi buffet

This includes dates, cookies, sweets, Arabic coffee, tea, an espresso machine, and canned and bottled juice, soda, and water.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi food
Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi coffee machine
Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi drinks

So don’t come here hungry, though some people may appreciate being able to grab a water or coffee.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi bathrooms & showers

The Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi has two sets of restrooms that guests can use, each featuring a toilet and sink.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi bathroom

The lounge also has several shower suites, each with a walk-in shower, a toilet, and a sink. The shower suites are perfectly functional, though not exactly luxurious.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi shower room
Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi shower room

Back in the day, the Etihad Arrivals Lounge had a salon where you could get a complimentary shave or beard trim. Unfortunately that’s no longer available, and at this point that space is empty.

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi former salon

Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi chauffeur service

One of the primary reasons to use the Etihad Arrivals Lounge is because this is where Etihad’s chauffeur service departs from. There’s a part of the lounge that leads directly to the road, and then there are staff on hand who can direct you to the right car.

Etihad offers chauffeur service for first and business class passengers in Abu Dhabi, though only if they paid cash for their tickets. Since we had redeemed miles, we weren’t eligible for this.

Bottom line

The Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi is basic. It’s not worth going out of your way to visit, but if you’re looking for somewhere to chill on arrival while having some water or coffee, want a shower, or if you’re using Etihad’s chauffeur service, it’s worth stopping in.

This space has definitely undergone some cost cutting compared to back in the day, when there was a more extensive food selection, as well as a salon with complimentary treatments.

What do you make of the Etihad Arrivals Lounge Abu Dhabi?

Conversations (12)
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  1. Heather Parsons Guest

    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.

  2. sullyofdoha Guest

    @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.

  3. iamhere Guest

    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.

  4. Dogmatick Guest

    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...

    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

  5. M Miller Guest

    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???

    1. Philles Guest

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

  6. puneet Guest

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

  7. Paul Francis Guest

    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...

    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 :)

  8. DMoney Guest

    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...

    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.

  9. Mitroy Guest

    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.

    1. Jerry Diamond

      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.

  10. Mike P Guest

    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.

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Philles Guest

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

0
Heather Parsons Guest

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.

0
sullyofdoha Guest

@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.

0
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