Trip Report: Etihad Airways 787 First Class Review Abu Dhabi to Singapore

Etihad Airways 787 First Class Review including Chauffeur drop off, First Class Lounge access and trip report on a Boeing 787-9 from Abu Dhabi to Singapore.

The flight from Abu Dhabi was the second segment of our Business and First Class trip to Singapore. We purchased Business Class Classic tickets for the journey (W booking class), so we were able to upgrade to First Class using 37,597 Etihad Miles each, enabling us to use the Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi

Trip Details: Etihad Airways 787 First Class Review

• Departure Date: 11th January 2017
• Departure Airport: Abu Dhabi (AUH)
• Departure Time: 22.50
• Arrival Airport:  Singapore (SIN)
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 (789) 3 Class V1
• Flight Nu­mber: EY470
• Airline Class: First Class
• Seat(s): 1D & 1G

Etihad First Class Lounge

Once we disembarked EY16 from Manchester at gate 32, it wasn’t far to walk to security and the First Class Lounge located in Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi Airport. We were greeted at the lower level entrance and then took the lift up one level to the lounge. By the time we settled down it was nearly 8.00pm local time and there were not many other passengers around. A member of staff was quick to offer us a drink and asked if we wanted to select any food from the menu. Firstly, we decided to stick with what we know and went straight for a glass of champagne each before ordering food. There was a wide variety of options on the A La Carte menu. However, we decide to just snack as we intended to eat from The First Class Menu on our flight to Singapore.

Boarding

We left the First Class Lounge about an hour before departure as it would take 10-15 minutes to walk to gate 51 and catch a bus to the plane. When we arrived at the gate, the queue was short and the ground staff directed to the First Class and Business Class passenger bus. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the wrong move. By the time the bus left the departure gate, we were the only premium passengers on the vehicle, which defeated the purpose of having a separate bus in the first place. We were one of the last passengers to board, but it wasn’t long before a glass of Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Champagne was gratefully accepted. Some of the nice little touches when flying First Class with Etihad is you get a welcome letter from the cabin manager and a gift bag with amenities and pyjamas. Although all passengers boarded on time, the Captain announced that there was a delay of up to one hour due to air traffic control issues. We finally pushed back at about 23.20 local time and up in the air about 40 minutes late.

The Seat(s) & Cabin

We selected seats 1D & 1G in the middle section. The Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 (789) 3 Class V1 configuration had 8 First Class Suites, 28 Business Class Studios and 195 economy seats. The First Class cabin configuration of 1-2-1 has four seats facing forward and four backwards. The middle suites, can with the divider up, still offer privacy for an individual traveller. As you would expect, the seats on the 787 lay entirely flat with a bed pitch of 80 inches and width of 26 inches. There are sliding doors on the suite which give you ultimate privacy after takeoff, but unless you are sitting in the middle, it’s hard to see any other passenger unless they are walking past. There is an ottoman style footrest which enables you to store your hand luggage via a compartment underneath. When flying as a couple, we preferred the middle suites but based on our experience there are no seats to avoid on this configurated aircraft.

Gift Bag and Amenity Kit

Along with your pillow and blanket, the cabin crew come round with a gift bag for first class passengers. Christian Lacroix designs the limited edition gift bag, which includes a skin care range from Omorovicza. Amenity kit skincare products

• Perfecting Lip Balm; lip balm soothes and nourishes dehydrated lips.
• Face Moisturiser; cooling gel-cream absorbs instantly, to provide long-lasting hydration.
• Nourishing Hand Treatment;  fast-absorbing hand cream leaves hands soft, moisturised, lightly scented.

As a first class passenger, you also receive Etihad pyjamas and slippers to change into if you don’t want to crease the clothes you are wearing.

Entertainment System

In First Class, you get a 24-inch Flat-screen TV with Etihad’s E-Box In-flight entertainment system which is large enough to enjoy watching a movie while sitting up or reclining your seat. You use the handheld control unit to scroll through all the options on the E-Box system. The handheld control screen also allows you to watch something different from what’s on the suite’s flat-screen TV. Etihad Airways Noise Reduction HeadphonesEtihad is like most long haul airline and offers over 600 hours of movies and television shows via their entertainment system. You also get the added benefit of having noise-cancelling headsets ensuring that you don’t hear any cabin sounds while watching the entertainment system. However, the 787 cabin was quiet when at cruising altitude. The system also provides USB, Ethernet and audio jack sockets to enable you to charge most electronic devices and outlets compatible with all the main plug types.

Food and Drink Service

Flying First Class with Etihad you get an in-flight chef providing you with an individual dining experience. The in-flight chef took our food orders not long after we boarded and we both requested a glass of champagne as our pre-flight drink.

The A La Carte Menu

Appetisers

Harira Soup

Gulf Mezze – A selection of Gulf hot and cold appetisers

Tomato & Ginger Soup

Main Course

Steak Frites – Fillet of beef, frites, tomatoes and bearnaise

Chef’s Table D’Hote Salad

Authentic Gulf Chicken Biryani – Tender chicken cooked with spices and basmati rice

Sea Bass –  Potato, beetroot, grapes, lemon & caper dressing

Chestnut & Rosemary Risotto

Hainanese Chicken Rice – Ginger spring and onion dressing

Dessert

Caramel Chocolate Cheese Cake

Cheese Selection

A Selection of ice creams

Lounge and Grill Menu 

Signature Grills

Sea bass, Lamb loin and chicken breast

Sides

Potato gratin, pommes frites and Chef’s seasonal vegetables

Sauces

Veal jus, truffle oil and sauce foyet

Sandwiches

The Etihad Steak Sandwich – Red onion marmalade, cheese, mayonnaise and whole grain mustard

Breakfast

Breakfast Bakery – Selection of pastries

A Range of Breakfast Cereals – Full cream or low-fat milk

Eggs Cooked to Order – Veal rashers, spinach with mushrooms and hash browns

Fresh Fruit Platter

Lounge Snacks

Potato Crisps

Baklava

Madeleines

Freshly Baked Cookies

As we had eaten in the First Class Lounge earlier, we decided just to eat from the Lounge and Grill Menu. Surprise surprise! I chose for The Etihad Steak Sandwich again and a glass of Peroni. The First Cellar drinks menu had a more extensive selection of soft drinks, beers and spirits available, along with a variety of white and red wines. We ordered breakfast and requested to eat about an hour and a half before our arrival in Singapore. With both kept it simple with eggs, veal rashers and a cappuccino.

Toilets

There were two first class toilets located at the front of the plane for eight passengers.

Staff and Cabin Crew

The and lounge staff and cabin crew were excellent. The flight to Singapore was extremely bumpy at times, and the seat belt signs remained on for most of the flight. However, the cabin crew worked non-stop and still managed to serve our meals and drinks without problems.

YouTube – Etihad Airways 787 First Class Review Video

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfbp2XY1puY[/embedyt]

Verdict -Etihad Airways 787 First Class Review