Etihad’s New Lie-Flat Business Seats Could Be Mistaken for First Class

The 1-2-1 herringbone-arranged cabins echo Qatar’s much-lauded Qsuites with notably wide seats (22 inches, to be exact—compare that to Emirates’s 18.5-20 inch seat width in business). The former iteration of Etihad’s business class, which is still in operation on some routes, had the drawback of some reverse-facing seats (a deterrent for those who would rather not sit opposite the direction of travel on a lengthy flight). The now-outdated cabins do, however, have the minor pro of a massage-chair feature.

Seats on routes longer than nine hours come with Giorgio Armani amenity kits packed with ESPA products (I loved the refreshing facial spray to keep my skin in check), Armani / CASA bedding, plush Etihad pajamas and slippers, and cushiony headphones. I opted to pair my own wireless headphones to the bluetooth-enabled entertainment system, which, when coupled with wirelessly charging my phone while eating dinner, felt satisfyingly high-tech; there was nary a wire in sight to get jumbled in while dining. I purchased the super-fast Viasat inflight Wi-Fi so I could get some work done before sleeping; basic inflight messaging services work for free for those who don’t need the full internet access.

Inflight dining

In addition to the dine-anytime concept that makes the business class cabin feel more like a full service restaurant, the sizable menu includes a three-course dinner, breakfast options, and snacks and drinks. Options for grazing range from warm nuts to samosas and steak sandwiches; on the imbibing side there are plenty of mocktails and fresh juices, as well as whiskies and fine wines from all over the globe.

After sampling some fresh juice upon boarding, I sprang for the three-course meal service. Whenever you’re ready to think about dining, order all at once (the flight attendant helpfully advised it takes about 20 minutes from your order to service). I went with the Arabic mezze platter (grape leaves, hummus, olives, and tabbouleh, all served with additional salad and breads), plus the beef filet with roasted vegetables and potato gratin. I canceled my dessert before it arrived because I was so full; the flexible dinner service was a welcome alternative to the usually rushed windows I’m accustomed to.

The airport experience

Etihad’s recently-expanded New York, Chicago, and DC flight routes that launched last fall also come with the added benefit of new business and first-class lounges across the globe. I visited the joint first-and-business class lounge in Abu Dhabi’s newly expanded Zayed International Airport on my way back home thanks to my business status, and was again inundated with fresh food and international wine selections, as well as a three-floor lounge with showers, massage chairs, game rooms for kids, and a roof lounge for watching the planes taxi.