Luxury Flying: Business Class with Etihad from Abu Dhabi to Casablanca
Etihad is one of the youngest global airline brands at only 15 years old, nevertheless the booming airline now operates in more than 110 modern Boeing and Airbus aircrafts from its hub in Abu Dhabi.
I flew on the 787-9 Dreamliner service from Abu Dhabi to Casablanca, which started in May 2018. Since last October, Etihad also started flying the Dreamliner to Morocco’s capital, Rabat, making it easier and more convenient for travellers.
On the Dreamliner service from Casablanca, there are eight First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy seats. (Etihad’s premium product, the three-room Residence, pictured above, is only available on the A380 service to London, Paris, New York and Sydney.) I settled into a Business Studio, well-named as it was spacious enough for working as well as sleeping.
What I really like about Etihad, apart from the elegant, earthy colour scheme, is the residential feel of its cabins. It felt very much like my own private lounge room, with patchwork cushions, wall sconces, quilted doonas, smart details such as Arabic style filigree metal work throughout and contemporary table settings. There are multiple compartments for storing all the stuff I carry on long haul flights, from books and notebooks (actual paper) to headphones and laptop. All seats have an aisle and there’s a privacy screen if you want to further block out the world. The tray table is also large than usual, which is great if you need to spread out and work. There is also a massage function in the chair - talk about comfort!
Amenities are a cut above the rest too, due to Etihad’s collaboration with Italian fragrance brand Acqua di Parma. Kits included cologne, hand cream, and an effective black eye-mask. The signature fragrance, Colonia, a perfume that hasn’t changed its formulation for over 100 years, is supplied in the bathrooms and my fellow passengers were lightly scented with it, not a bad thing at all. Up in first class you’re provided with loungewear by young Emerati brand A Friend of Mine by Xpose.
The service on my flight was first-rate with meal orders noted before take-off and delivered promptly throughout the flight. The international cabin crew were charming and responsive. I took the middle-eastern option with the meals, figuring it’s what they do best, and I was right – the mezze plate was delicious and the lamb with rose-flavoured dates and couscous was exceptional. The wine list included a Malborough Sauvignon Blanc and a Bordeaux blend, as well as a Douro Valley port. There is also a Cipriani Bellini mocktail among the selections for those who want to stay away from alcohol when they fly.
The 18-inch TV screen was gigantic and there were enough first-release movies and TV series to keep me occupied, without there being as extensive a choice as some competing airlines. I was slightly frustrated by the tendency to have only three episodes in a series rather than box sets, but I guess that left a few more episodes to savour when I got home and chased them up. The bathroom facilities were specious and always maintained immaculately.
If you’re contemplating a Business Studio and looking for a good deal, Etihad now offers a dynamic live auction which will make it easier for customers to secure a premium seat in a higher cabin class. You can take part in a bidding system where real-time notifications of their bid will be displayed on their screen, allowing two or more individual bids at the same time. Regular email and SMS updates will also be sent to notify guests if they have been outbid. So, good luck!
Written by TBG & Lee T.
