Review Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi - Zurich / Business Class

Paul‘s 231st Flight Report
Flight: EY143
Route: AUH - ZRH
Aircraft: Boeing 787-1000
Flight Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Travel Class: Business Class

General Impression: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🌿

Before the Flight :
Check-in Process: in Transit
Security Control: 🐑🐑🐑🌿
Lounge: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Information: 🐑🐑🐑
Boarding @ Gate: 🐑🐑🐑
Staff @ these points: 🐑🐑🐑🌿
Boarding in Cabin: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Welcome Drinks: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Punctuality DEP: 🐑🐑🐑, 9 min delay
Punctuality ARR: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑, 20min early
During the Flight :
Food presentation: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Food quality: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Drinks: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Service Procedure: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Amenity Kit: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
IFE System: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Seat Quality: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Legroom: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Lavatories: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Cleanliness: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
General Atmosphere: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Announcement Pilots: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Announcement Cabin: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Cabin Crew: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
After the Flight :
De-Boarding: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Baggage Delivery: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
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🐑 = bad, a lot of work needs to be done
🐑🐑 = poor, you will be busy with corrections
🐑🐑🐑 = good & normal, nothing special
🐑🐑🐑🐑 = high level, but the icing on the cake is missing
🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑 = topnotch, leave me here!
🌿 = Half a Point/sheep
—-
On the Ground:
We arrived from Colombo Airport and were in transit in Abu Dhabi. We had 1 hour and 50 minutes scheduled transit time.
The new airport in Abu Dhabi is beautiful but the ways are looooong.
This time we also found the priority lane for business or first class passengers at security. The entrance is super hidden.
The queue was very short and in about 5 minutes we were through security.
All lanes are equipped with the newest screening machines where you can leave everything in your bags.
Once through security we went to the new Etihad Airways Business Class Lounge in the new Terminal.
Wowww, what a lounge!!! I have not seen anything close in size and style! TK's lounge in Istanbul is a little room compared to Etihads Lounge in Abu Dhabi.
The lounge stretches itself over 4 floors including a rooftop! Bar. On the main floor there is the dining/restaurant area where you are served at the table and there is the spa area. One floor up there is a resting area, a game room, family area and a bar area. Another floor higher there is the big bar area and another dining area and as said on the top there is a rooftop bar.
The F&B selection was simply amazing. Unfortunately we didn't have enough transit time to check out everything. An absolutely stunning new lounge.
We were at our departure gate around 5 minutes after the indicated boarding time and boarding just started.
Priority boarding was conducted and the agent also checked the boarding passes but insisting economy class passengers were also boarded
Announcements for boarding were clear and understandable.
At the aircraft door we were greeted by the cabin manager and another crew member who were checking the boarding passes.
Other cabin crew members were in the cabin and super friendly and helpful during the boarding process.
We were already informed in the lounge and as well at the gate, that one of our seats would not recline and if we would be ok with that. We did not have any other choice, as the flight was fully booked.
So when we boarded the inflight manager was surprised they let us board, as the seat would actually be completely inop and completely without electricity. She would have to check if we would be allowed to use it.
After a few minutes she came back and appointed us another seat. The inoperative seat would be occupied by a crew member travelling to Zurich.
The seats were already equipped with a very comfortable and fluffy pillow, a mattress, a comfy blanket and a small bottle of water, the noise cancelling headsets and the menu card.
There was also an amenity kit (earplugs, eyemask and toothbrush) as well as a toiletry box (body lotion, lip balm and humidity mist) prepared. The crew also distributed slippers for a 6 hours night flight. Wowww!
Once installed in the seat and seated, the crew came by and asked for a welcome drink. We were able to choose from fresh orange juice, champagne or lime/mint.
Once everyone was on board, the crew also passed with hot towels and the orders for the meal service were taken.
You could choose an aperitif after take off and items from the all day dining.
The main service on this flight would be breakfast and Etihad offers 4 hot meal choices and many other items for breakfast. You also had the choice of a quick meal and a last minute drink.

As I wanted to sleep on this night flight (Dep: 2:45AM / ARR 7:25AM) I just opted for a cup of Moroccan Mint Tea and a Latte with some pastries prior to landing.

Inflight:
The Etihad business class is actually a nice product. The 787-100% has a total of 32 business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. On this air plane type the even seat row numbers are actually flying backwards.
The seats are very comfortable and offer enough privacy. Unfortunately they do not have sufficient storage space at the seat itself.
All business class seats are fully lie flat and you have enough shoulder space as well as legroom space.

After take off, once the fasten seat belt sign was switched off, the cabin crew started with their inflight service and I got my cup of tea.

After that I managed to get 3 hours of sleep and around 1,5 hours prior landing the crew started with the breakfast service.

As it was a full night flight, the crew did a great job with keeping the cabin very quiet.
They themselves were super friendly and interacted with the customers. They were present in the cabin and went the extra mile during the service.
As said above, I did choose just a little bite before landing. I had my Latte, some fresh fruits, corn flakes and a pastry.
The tableware and glasses Etihad Airways uses are from Armani Casa. The design is amazing. They use the appropriate style of glasses for their drinks.

Also on this flight the catering was really good. All the food was tasty, fresh and of high quality. It was just delicious. The coffee Latte was simply perfection!

Announcements were clear and understandable from the cabin crew as well as the flight deck.

The inflight entertainment is good and the screens worked fine. They have a good size and resolution for business class. The screens are touch screens but you can also choose the handheld devices to navigate.
Etihad Airways has a fantastic selection of movies, films and series as well as the newest blockbusters.
The aircraft would have been equipped with wifi and the prices Etihad Airways offers are very moderate with 9.99$ for the entire flight.
As Etihad Airways guest, you can choose a free package for messaging only and that worked perfectly fine.
Toilets were super clean throughout the entire flight and the cabin crew checked them super regularly and stocked and cleaned them all the time.
The lavatories on this Boeing 787-1000 were much bigger compared to the 9500-series and they also have a window. The style in black is very modern and posh.
After the Flight:
In Zürich we arrived at Terminal E. Unfortunately only one bridge was positioned at the aircraft for disembarkation.
Immigration was no problem at all as all automated electronic gates were open.
Bags were delivered 20 Minutes after arrival on the baggage belt. Priority bags were delivered first.
Summary:
All in all, another great flight with Etihad Airways.
The inflight service was stunning and everything was delicious. The crew did an amazing job service and procedure wise and offered a personal service with a nice touch and were interacting with passengers.
The seats on the dreamliner are super comfortable and also the rest of the hard products were great.
Notes:
- Paul the Sheep does not get any benefits from the Hotels/Airlines etc.
- Paul will always pay for the services in order to be able to rate freely and truly about the experiences.
-If you are interested in more details, please send me a private message and I will be happy to share