Wednesday newsletters at all times characteristic a lodge or flight assessment.
I just lately loved an exceptional vacation within the Maldives, the place I stayed on the archipelago’s 4 most unique ultra-luxury resorts. You possibly can learn my critiques right here:
As we speak: Evaluation of Etihad Airways’ B787 Enterprise Class (Male to Abu Dhabi flight)
I just lately flew with Etihad Airways from Male (Maldives) to London (United Kingdom) with a stopover in Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). That was not a part of the unique plan, since I used to be scheduled to fly out of the Maldives with Beond, the brand new all-premium airline flying to and from the Maldives. Nonetheless, two weeks previous to my departure to the Maldives, I used to be knowledgeable by Beond that my flight from Male to Munich was cancelled (since Munich was downgraded from a everlasting to a seasonal vacation spot). I used to be solely supplied an (unacceptable) choice to journey to Zürich as a substitute, both two days previous to or after my initially scheduled journey date. Happily, I used to be in a position to e book a last-minute award flight with Etihad as a substitute (and Beond refunded the return flight).
The 4 hour flight from Male to Abu Dhabi – in Enterprise Class – was operated by an Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Etihad Airways calls the Enterprise class seat on its Boeing 787 a “Enterprise Studio”, and it’s undoubtedly one of many finest Enterprise Class merchandise within the sky. The cabin has a novel dovetail design with ahead and rear going through seats that creates a way of house and freedom, with direct aisle entry for all passengers and handy storage areas. The identical seat & format can also be discovered on Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380, however sadly, the service’s A320 and B777 planes characteristic a far much less glamorous Enterprise Class product.
Have you ever ever flown with Etihad Airways? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark under.
- Journey: Male (MLE) to Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Airline: Etihad Airways
- Plane kind: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Plane registration quantity: A6-BLM (inbuilt 2017)
- On time departure: Sure (9 am)
- On time arrival: Sure (12 pm)
- Distance: 1880 miles (3030 km)
- Flight time: 4 hours
- Seat: 10K
- Class: Enterprise Class
On this assessment (extra info & pictures under my Youtube clip & slideshow):
- Value of my ticket
- Lounge
- Enterprise Class cabin
- Enterprise Class seat (+ finest & worst seats)
- Facilities & bedding
- Meals
- Leisure
- Onboard web
- Different inflight experiences
- My verdict (rating)
1. COST OF MY TICKET
I paid this one-way Enterprise Class ticket from Male to London with miles & money: $190 USD + 65,000 miles. The ticket was booked through American Airways’ frequent flyer program AAdvantage (Etihad is a companion airline of American Airways). Learn my assessment of AAdvantage (with professionals, cons, & suggestions) right here.
2. LOUNGE
Velana Worldwide Airport is sort of small and has just one Enterprise Class lounge, situated one ground above the principle concourse. Known as Leeli Lounge, the contract lounge is utilized by all airways, together with Etihad Airways. The lounge is actually one massive room, with loads of seating areas, a few of them outfitted with in-seat energy shops. The lounge is sort of darkish (there isn’t a lot daylight) and the decor is reasonably unappealing, which is disappointing in a rustic that revolves round luxurious journey. A buffet space with some eating tables is situated shut the lounge entrance and presents a collection of worldwide meals, together with sandwiches, pastries, fruits, yoghurt, and a few sizzling dishes. No alcohol is served contained in the lounge as a result of the Maldives is an Islamic nation. Complimentary high-speed WiFi is obtainable to all lounge company.
3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
Etihad Airways’ Boeing 787 Dreamliners come in numerous layouts:
- Most Boeing 787-9 plane characteristic 28 flat mattress seats in a single Enterprise Class cabin and haven’t any First Class (the airplane that flew me from Male to Abu Dhabi was fitted on this format)
- A few of Etihad’s Boeing 787-9 do characteristic a First Class cabin, with the 28 Enterprise Class seats unfold over two cabins: 8 seats in a small entrance cabin and 20 seats in a bigger rear cabin.
- The service’s Boeing 787-10 variants don’t have First Class and are outfitted with 32 Enterprise Class seats in a single massive cabin.
- Etihad’s most just lately delivered Boeing 787s have an upgraded Enterprise Class product that includes suites with closing doorways in a 1-2-1 format.
All Enterprise Class seats in Etihad’s ‘older’ Dreamliners are organized in a staggered 1-2-1 format. Seats in even-numbered rows face ahead whereas these in odd-numbered rows face backward. The seats within the airplane’s middle part are available pairs: the seats in forward-facing rows are positioned proper subsequent to at least one one other (excellent for {couples}), whereas backward going through middle seats have vital separation and a small divider that provides an additional degree of privateness. The one seats on the aspect even have an alternating sample: forward-facing window seats are situated in their very own ‘cocoon’ (with the seat proper subsequent to the window and a console between the seat and the aisle) whereas rear-facing window seats are situated nearer to the aisle and significantly much less personal.
Etihad’s Boeing 787 Enterprise Class cabin incorporates a subtle, luxurious and refined decor. A impartial coloration palette of various beige tones is blended with some gold and copper, reflecting the desert panorama of the United Arab Emirates.
For a seat map of the Etihad Airways’ Boeing 787-9, click on right here.
4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)
The Enterprise Class “Studio” onboard Etihad Airways’ Boeing 787 is opulent, comfy and spacious. The seat is upholstered in an expensive brown cloth and has a pitch of 73 inch (185 cm) and a large of twenty-two inch (56 cm). One aspect of the seat incorporates a common armrest, whereas the opposite armrest doubles as a storage compartment, holding a bottle of water and the noise-cancelling headphones.
Subsequent to the seat is a big console with aspect desk. This console is both situated on the aisle aspect of the seat (creating extra privateness) or away from the aisle (during which case the seat is situated instantly alongside the aisle and significantly much less personal). The console holds a panel for the seat controls and the handset for the inflight leisure. There’s one other digital management panel under the aspect desk, with each panels controlling the seat recline, cushion firmness, dimming of the home windows, and lighting throughout the studio. A sturdy tray desk is saved contained in the console and ejected by pulling a lever on the backside of the tray.
In entrance of the seat is a 18.5-inch touchscreen TV. Beneath this TV is a spacious footrest with a small storage compartment beneath (to stow away sneakers or a small bag). On the push of a button, the seat reclines into a completely flat mattress of 190 cm (75 inches) lengthy; the seat is sort of comfy in mattress mode because the enclosed footwall below the TV is massive sufficient to maneuver round your legs and toes.
What are the finest seats on Etihad’s B787-9s? Click on right here for a seat map.
- The paired middle seats in forward-facing rows are positioned proper subsequent to at least one one other and ideal for {couples}.
- Solo vacationers ought to select one of many forward-facing window seats, that are situated in their very own personal cocoon.
What are the worst seats on Etihad’s B787-9s?
- All rear-facing seats are situated nearer to the aisle and significantly much less personal.
- The rear going through window seats in row 9 (9C & 9H) are lacking a window and thus not advisable.
- Seats within the first and final row of the cabin are situated nearer the galley with some occasional noise disturbance.
5. AMENITIES & BEDDING
Enterprise Class passengers acquired the next facilities on this flight:
- Noise-cancelling headphones for suppressing cabin noise and engine drone. The headphones can solely be powered inside an plane and can’t be taken residence.
- Sleeping facilities comprising a classy blanket and a reasonably small pillow.
Sadly, no amenity kits have been distributed on this (reasonably quick) flight.
6. MEALS
On this 4 hour flight, a 3 course lunch was supplied shortly after takeoff. I select the next choice from the menu:
- Aperitif, served with blended nuts
- Starter: prawn salad, served with cucumber, mango salsa, almond and garlic chili oil
- Major course: fillet of beef, served with roasted potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, carrots, zucchini and inexperienced pepper jus
- Dessert: seasonal recent fruit + chocolate mocha mousse cake
Meals style and presentation have been nice.
7. ENTERTAINMENT
Every Enterprise Class “Studio” has a 18.5-inch touchscreen TV. The inflight leisure (IFE) has an easy-to-use interface, that’s managed by touchscreen or handheld machine. It options lots of of hours of on-demand leisure, with greater than 300 TV reveals in addition to greater than 100 motion pictures, starting from blockbusters to timeless classics and representing all corners from the world (Hollywood, Arabic, European, Indian and Asian Cinemas). Etihad Airways’ inflight leisure system additionally options stay TV channels (e.g. BBC, CNN), though stay TV was not obtainable throughout this flight.
8. ONBOARD INTERNET
Etihad Airways’ Boeing 787s are outfitted with WiFi. A wide range of plans are on supply, catering to each mild looking and extra intense work. Company of Etihad Airways’ frequent flyer program have entry to free messaging.
9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES
# CREW: The worldwide cabin crew on this flight was skilled and pleasant. All requests have been handled promptly and cordially.
# CREW UNIFORM: Etihad Airways’ cabin crew wears very fashionable uniforms by Italian designer Ettore Bilotta. The chocolate-brown, purple and orange colours replicate the model of Etihad Airways, which is headed by Australian James Hogan.
# LAVATORY: Etihad Airways’ Enterprise Class cabin on the B787 has two toilets within the entrance, situated instantly behind the cockpit.
# VIEWS: We loved clear skies from Male to Abu Dhabi, affording some nice views.
10. MY VERDICT
- Cabin design: 9/10
- Seat consolation (upright place): 9/10
- Seat consolation (mattress place): 9/10
- Seat privateness: 8/10
- Meals (high quality): 8/10
- Meals (amount): 8/10
- Inflight leisure : 9/10
- WiFi: 9/10
- Service: 8/10
- Facilities: 6/10
- Total expertise: excellent: 8,3/10
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