Etihad 787 First Class Review Read Time and Rating
Our Etihad 787 First Class Review covers the second part of our journey, travelling from Abu Dhabi to Singapore in Etihad First Class. After arriving in Abu Dhabi on EY16 from Manchester, we connected onto EY470, a late-night Boeing 787-9 flight to Singapore.
We had originally booked Business Class Classic tickets in W booking class, but upgraded to First Class using 37,597 Etihad Miles each. That upgrade gave us access to the Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi and two First Class Suites on the Boeing 787-9.
For us, the main question was simple: would the Etihad First Class experience feel special from lounge to landing? In many ways, it did. The suite felt private, the food options looked excellent, and the cabin crew worked incredibly hard throughout a bumpy flight. However, a few parts of the ground experience felt less polished than expected.
In This Trip Report
Trip Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airline | Etihad Airways |
| Flight Number | EY470 |
| Route | Abu Dhabi to Singapore |
| Departure Airport | Abu Dhabi International Airport |
| Arrival Airport | Singapore Changi Airport |
| Aircraft | Boeing 787-9 |
| Cabin | First Class |
| Seats | 1D and 1G |
| Departure Date | 11 January 2017 |
| Scheduled Departure Time | 22:50 |
Etihad First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi
After leaving our Manchester flight at gate 32, we made our way through security and headed to the Etihad First Class Lounge in Terminal 3. The walk felt easy enough, and we soon reached the lower-level entrance, where staff greeted us before we took the lift up to the lounge.
By the time we settled in, it was close to 8.00 pm local time. The lounge felt calm, quiet, and relaxed, with only a few other passengers around. After a long first sector from Manchester, we appreciated the slower pace and more private atmosphere.
A member of staff quickly offered us drinks and asked whether we wanted anything from the à la carte menu. Naturally, we started with a glass of champagne each before looking at the food options.
The menu offered a good selection, but we decided not to overdo it. As we planned to eat on board during our flight to Singapore, we kept things light and ordered a few snacks, including beef sliders. The food tasted good, and the service in the lounge felt warm and attentive.
For a First Class lounge, the overall experience felt refined without feeling too formal. It gave us a comfortable space to relax between flights, although we did not spend long enough there to explore every part of the lounge.
Boarding Experience
We left the First Class Lounge around an hour before departure. Our gate was 51, and we expected the walk and bus transfer to take around 10 to 15 minutes.
When we arrived at the gate, the queue looked short, and the staff directed us towards the First Class and Business Class passenger bus. At first, that sounded like a positive part of the premium experience. In reality, the process felt less impressive.
By the time the bus left the gate, we were the only premium passengers on board. That made the separate bus feel slightly pointless, and we ended up among the last passengers to board the aircraft. The boarding process worked, but it lacked the seamless First Class feel we had expected.
Once onboard, the mood changed. A glass of Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Champagne soon arrived, along with a hot towel. The cabin crew also provided a welcome letter from the cabin manager, an amenity gift bag, pyjamas, and slippers.
The captain then explained that air traffic control restrictions would delay the flight by up to one hour. We eventually pushed back at around 23:20 and departed roughly 40 minutes late.
The Etihad 787 First Class Cabin
Our Etihad 787 First Class Review focuses heavily on the seat because the First Class Suite is one of the strongest parts of the experience.
We selected seats 1D and 1G in the middle section. As a couple, those seats worked well because they allowed us to travel together while still enjoying a high level of privacy.
The Boeing 787-9 First Class cabin had just eight First Class Suites in a 1-2-1 layout. Four seats faced forward, while four faced backwards. The design meant every passenger had direct aisle access, and the middle suites suited couples particularly well.
Each suite had a wide seat that converted into a fully flat bed. The 80-inch bed pitch and 26-inch seat width gave us plenty of room to relax, stretch out, and sleep. Sliding doors added another layer of privacy after take-off, and once seated, we found it hard to see other passengers unless they walked past the suite.
The ottoman-style footrest also doubled as a useful storage area, with space underneath for hand luggage. That detail helped keep the suite tidy during the flight.
Based on our experience, we would happily choose the middle suites again when travelling as a couple. Solo travellers would probably prefer the window suites, although we did not see any obvious “bad” seats in this small First Class cabin.
Amenity Kit, Pyjamas and First Class Extras
Etihad added a few thoughtful extras that made the flight feel more premium. Alongside the pillow and blanket, the crew handed out a Christian Lacroix-designed gift bag with Omorovicza skincare products.
The amenity kit included:
- Perfecting lip balm
- Face moisturiser
- Nourishing hand treatment
The products felt more premium than standard airline amenity kit items, and the presentation added to the First Class feel. Etihad also provided pyjamas and slippers, which we appreciated on a late-night flight. Changing into pyjamas helped make the suite feel more like a proper sleeping space rather than just a large aircraft seat.
Entertainment and Technology
The First Class Suite included a 24-inch screen with Etihad’s E-Box entertainment system. The screen size worked well whether we sat upright or reclined the seat.
A handheld controller lets us browse the system, and its smaller screen also lets us watch something different from the main suite screen. Etihad offered a broad selection of films and television shows, and the noise-reduction headphones helped create a quieter entertainment experience.
The Boeing 787 cabin also felt quiet at cruising altitude, which made the flight more relaxing. The suite included USB, Ethernet, audio jack sockets, and power outlets compatible with major plug types, so charging devices during the flight felt straightforward.
For a long-haul overnight flight, the entertainment and technology worked well. We would not call the system groundbreaking now, but at the time, it gave us everything we needed.
Food and Drink Onboard
Food and drink formed a major part of our Etihad 787 First Class Review, especially because Etihad offered an in-flight chef and a flexible dining concept.
The chef took our order shortly after boarding, and we both requested champagne as our pre-flight drink. After take-off, drinks arrived with olives, dates, and nuts, which felt like a polished start to the onboard service.
The à la carte menu included several appetisers, mains, desserts, and lighter lounge-style options.
Appetisers included Harira soup, Gulf mezze, and tomato-and-ginger soup. Main courses included steak frites, Gulf chicken biryani, sea bass, risotto, and Hainanese chicken rice. Dessert options included caramel chocolate cheesecake, cheese, and ice cream.
Etihad also offered a Lounge and Grill menu with grilled dishes, sides, sauces, sandwiches, snacks, and breakfast choices.
As we had eaten in the First Class Lounge, we chose lighter options on board. The Etihad steak sandwich with a glass of Peroni suited the late-night flight perfectly. It felt satisfying without becoming too heavy before sleep.
Before landing, we kept breakfast simple and ordered fried eggs, veal rashers, and cappuccino. The timing worked well, as we requested breakfast around an hour and a half before arrival in Singapore.
Overall, the food choice impressed us. The menu offered enough variety for passengers who wanted a full restaurant-style meal, while lighter choices worked well for those trying to sleep.
Toilets
Etihad provided two First Class toilets at the front of the aircraft for just eight First Class passengers. That ratio worked well, and we never had any issues accessing the facilities.
The toilets remained clean throughout the flight, even though turbulence disrupted service for extended periods.
Cabin Crew and Service
The cabin crew delivered one of the strongest parts of the flight. Our journey to Singapore became extremely bumpy at times, and the seatbelt signs stayed on for much of the flight.
Despite the turbulence, the crew continued to work hard and managed the meal and drinks service smoothly. They remained professional, calm, and friendly throughout the journey.
The lounge staff also looked after us well before the flight. Both on the ground and in the air, the Etihad team gave the experience a premium feel.
The only weak point was the boarding process, especially the separate premium bus, which added little value. Once onboard, however, the service improved quickly.
Overall Verdict: Etihad 787 First Class Review
Our Etihad 787 First Class Review left us with a very positive impression of Etihad’s First Class product on the Boeing 787-9.
The First Class Suite felt private, spacious, and comfortable. The middle seats worked well for us as a couple, and the sliding doors helped create a calm personal space. The amenity kit, pyjamas, large entertainment screen, and flexible dining all added to the sense of occasion.
The Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi also provided a relaxing place to spend time between flights, with good service and a decent selection of food and drink.
The flight was not flawless. Boarding by bus did not feel particularly premium, and the delay meant we left later than planned. The turbulence also made the journey less restful than it might have been. Even so, the cabin crew worked hard and kept the service moving, which we really appreciated.
For us, Etihad First Class delivered a memorable and comfortable overnight flight. It felt special, private, and well-designed, especially for couples travelling together.
Star Rating
★★★★☆
4 out of 5 stars
Expectation Level:
Exceeded our expectations overall, mainly because of the private suite, strong onboard service, flexible dining, and excellent cabin crew.
Best For
Couples, premium travellers, overnight long-haul flights, Etihad miles upgrades, and passengers who value privacy, comfort, and flexible dining.
Not Ideal For
Travellers who dislike remote stands, bus boarding, late-night delays, or flights where turbulence may interrupt sleep and service.
Final Thoughts
We would happily fly Etihad First Class again on the Boeing 787-9. The suite gave us the privacy and comfort we wanted, while the crew helped turn a delayed and bumpy flight into a very enjoyable experience. For anyone considering an upgrade using Etihad Miles, this flight showed how much value a well-timed upgrade can add to a long-haul journey.
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