Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Business Class | Brisbane to Abu Dhabi
We decided to fly with Etihad Airways on our recent trip to Europe because it would give us the perfect opportunity to see Abu Dhabi which we otherwise wouldn’t have visited as a travel destination.
Our flight was scheduled for departure at 10:35 PM and we got to the airport two hours prior so that we wouldn’t have to rush through things. There were two dedicated business class check-in counters and we were the next in line when we got there, so the check-in process was a breeze.
If you’ve flown with Etihad in the past, you might have had the opportunity to spend some pre-flight time at the Air New Zealand lounge, but this has recently been changed and we were directed to Plaza Premium which is located directly across from the Air New Zealand lounge on the Brisbane Airport’s lounge level. As Plaza Premium welcomes walk-in passengers flying with any airlines in any class of service at a cost, on the night of our visit the lounge was extremely busy and we were lucky to score the last available table big enough for the three of us as well as our carry-on items. For lunch and dinner, Plaza Premium offers a hot buffet, as well as a number of a la carte items, alcohol including beer, wine and spirits, can also be served in the lounge but given we are not drinkers, I decided to check out their extensive hot beverage menu and ordered myself a nice cup of salted caramel latte which was made by a barista instead of a Nespresso machine. Plaza Premium offers a range of facilities including dedicated working pods and as well as spa and shower facilities, but it is important to note about the lounge doesn’t’ make boarding calls so you need to keep an eye on the flight information screens in the lounge so that you don’t miss the boarding time for your scheduled flight.
Etihad Airways offers non-stop services from Brisbane to Abu Dhabi daily on their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. There are 28 Business Studios onboard the aircraft, each complete with a privacy shell, a full-flat bed and an 18.5-inch LCD screen. The studios include both forward and rear-facing seats, with each seat providing direct aisle access, but if you don’t enjoy flying backwards, be sure to secure a seat that faces the front early. Upon our arrival, I was offered a cold towel and a refreshing watermelon juice, while the cabin crew took my order for the dinner service. Soon after takeoff, I was presented with a Cipriani Bellini and some warmed nuts. Served on a crisp white linen tablecloth, dinner for me started with a salmon tartare wit thyme crisps, cucumber and chive yoghurt dressing, followed by pan-roasted barramundi with Thai curry sauce, jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables. I wasn’t expecting much but both dishes were actually quite yummy, especially the barramundi which had just the right amount of heat. As for dessert, I opted for the chocolate macadamia pudding served warm with vanilla sauce. It looked very plain and quite honestly, unappetising, but don’t let the look fool you, it was simply heaven. The chocolate was rich and creamy, and the crunchiness of the macadamia nuts mixed with the sweet vanilla sauce added a pleasant mouthfeel to each spoonful. I am not a very good flyer so when there is turbulence, I usually don’t eat anything onboard, which is why the dining service provided by Etihad Airways is really considerate as guests can also enjoy the airline’s Dine Anytime options and choose from their “all day” menu.
After dinner, I decided to head to the lavatory to brush my teeth and get ready for bed. I was quite excited when I saw my Aqua di Parma amenity kit, which included the brand’s signature fragrance, Colonia, together with hand cream in the same scent as well the basic comfort items you would expect including socks, eyeshade, toothbrush and toothpaste. The lavatory was also equipped with Aqua di Parma products. I don’t usually enjoy sleeping on planes, but I actually managed to get a few hours of decent sleep after watching a couple of movies and when I woke up, it was almost breakfast time. Breakfast began with a nice hot latte, followed by some passion fruit yoghurt with granola and a herb omelette with lamb sausages, potato rosti and grilled tomato.
The inflight entertainment available on board the plane was fantastic, there were plenty of movies and TV shows to choose from. If I had to nitpick, I would say that I found their signature Flying Nanny service to be slightly underwhelming. Minibun George received a bag packed with an activity book and some stickers at the beginning of the flight, but that was the only time we saw the flying nanny. Luckily for us, Minibun George behaved very well throughout the entire 14-hour flight (if I may say so myself). Other than that, the service throughout the flight was impeccable, and when paired with the food, inflight entertainment and the comfort of the Business Studio, it really made what I initially thought would be a dreadful long flight, very enjoyable.
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