Airline review: Etihad Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, business class, Abu Dhabi to Sydney

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Airline review: Etihad Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, business class, Abu Dhabi to Sydney

By Ute Junker
Updated
Etihad Airways' business offering from Abu Dhabi includes a dedicated check-in facility for business passengers.

Etihad Airways' business offering from Abu Dhabi includes a dedicated check-in facility for business passengers.

THE ROUTE

Flight EY278 Abu Dhabi to Sydney

THE AIRCRAFT

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

THE LOYALTY SCHEME

Etihad Guest has reciprocal arrangements with airlines including Virgin Australia. Points earned on Etihad flights can be credited to your Virgin Australia account, or you can use Etihad points to book a Virgin Australia flight. New members of Etihad Guest receive 500 bonus points upon joining.

CLASS

Business seat, 6A

DURATION

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13 hours 45 minutes

CARBON EMISSIONS

According to Etihad's online carbon calculator, my flight emissions are 3021kg, which I can offset for $US43.46 ($61) through their partnership with CarbonClick.

FREQUENCY

Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Sydney.

HEALTH

Passengers are required to wear a mask. Once on board we are issued with a health kit, including sanitiser and a spare mask, as well as our amenities kit.

CHECKING IN

Easiest check-in experience ever may sound like a big call – but 10 minutes from car to the other side of security has to be a record. That is because in its home airport, Etihad doesn't just have a dedicated check-in counter for business passengers: it has a whole separate check-in facility. I stroll through the doors to a series of counters where several staff are free. Having completed online check-in, I am immediately issued a boarding pass, then pass through business-class-only passport and security checks with only a handful of people in front of me. If only every check-in experience were this simple.

THE SEAT

Seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 formation, facing the front or the back in an alternating pattern. I'm in a backward facing seat, with a width of 22 inches (55.8cm) and a bed length of 73 inches (185.42cm).

BAGGAGE

Checked baggage 30kg with one carry-on bag of up to 12kg, plus one personal item of up to 5kg.

ENTERTAINMENT

Etihad always has a strong selection of movies and TV shows and a quick browse reveals plenty of options that appeal to me. What is a little disappointing is that, unlike some airlines, Etihad doesn't offer its business class passengers free WI-FI. Paid options range from $US6.99 for an hour (100MB limit) to $US29.99 for 24 hours (350MB limit). This last option works across connecting flights, which makes it a good choice for long haul travellers.

SERVICE

The service on Etihad is always very good, but this crew is outstanding. We have a late-night departure so when the attendant comes before take-off to take my order for drinks, I explain that I'm going to skip dinner and have a sleep instead but will eat something later. She immediately asks if there is a particular meal she can reserve for me, before wishing me a good rest. Throughout the flight the staff are constantly passing through the cabin and always keeping an eye out for passengers who may need assistance. Every request is attended to promptly and with a smile.

FOOD

The menu is designed to cater for passengers who have already eaten as well as those who haven't. In addition to the extensive dinner menu (three choices each for starters, mains and desserts, as well as a cheese course), the all-day menu includes breakfast options such as pastries, cereal and yoghurt, and hot snacks including a sweet potato, lamb merguez and goat's cheese tart. After my sleep I enjoy an excellent steak sandwich, served with Emmental cheese and red onion chutney.

ONE MORE THING

The leather amenities pouch is so stylish, I'm going to use it as a clutch bag.

VERDICT

An outstanding inflight experience.

RATING

★★★★★

Ute Junker travelled courtesy of Etihad Airways, see etihad.com

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