Etihad’s new Dreamliner First Class suites took to the skies back in February 2015 on flights to Dusseldorf, before entering service on the Abu Dhabi-Washington D.C route in March. It will also replace the A330 on services to Brisbane from June 1st. With 41 Boeing 787-9s on order and 38 787-10 options, the airline is the largest Dreamliner customer and is expecting to receive the entire first batch by 2019.
Promising a ‘redefined’ experience, the airline is offering an altogether more luxurious experience, with greater privacy and stylish features such as Poltrona Frau leather seats, ambient lighting, a personal wardrobe, chilled drinks cabinet and space to entertain a guest. The 8 First Class suites on Etihad’s Dreamliner are similar to the First Class apartments on the A380, but with the lounge chair converting into a bed rather than having it emerge from a separate ottoman.
The Seat
The First Class suites are located at the front of the aircraft, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration with a 204 cm-long fully flat bed. If you’re sitting in the centre seats and travelling with a companion you can lower the privacy divider in the middle, enabling you to chat and enjoy the journey together.
For extra privacy, your suite has sliding doors that are 147 cm high, so you can close yourself off from the rest of the cabin and watch a movie, work or sleep behind closed doors. The interior features elegant, hand-made leather work and upholstery from Poltrona Frau and there’s an ottoman opposite the seat so you can rest your feet. To the side of the seat you have a literature pocket as well as a personal storage space with USB and headphone socket, offering plenty of space for cables to pass underneath even with the cover closed.
A definite highlight of the new suite is the personal mini-fridge, so you can help yourself to a can of coke or an alcoholic beverage without having to summon a member of cabin crew or get up out of your seat.
When you’re ready to dine, the large, sturdy tray table is dressed in fine linens to make you feel like you’re dining in a high-end restaurant. And when you’re ready to have a snooze, Etihad’s signature turn-down service offers stylish loungewear, pillow mist and pulse point oil, and a soothing night-time beverage, such as hot chocolate, chamomile tea, or a malt drink. You’ll also be comfortable on an all-natural mattress from Greek company COCO-MAT, as well as a comfy duvet, cotton sheets and pillows. The seat can be adjusted to a number of positions using a digital touch pad, which also allows you to adjust the lighting, lumbar support, massage function and cushion firmness, or hit the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign.
In-flight entertainment
When it comes to in-flight entertainment, Etihad’s 24-inch, flat screen system is packed with over 750 hours of movies, shows, music and games and comes with state-of-the-art noise cancelling headsets. You can also connect your phone or laptop to the Etihad Wi-Fly network so you can check your emails, surf the web or post updates to social media.
Amenity Kit
Inspired by the heritage and artistry of the Emirati people, the First Class amenity kits feature the patterns of ‘Sadou’, a colourful Abu Dhabi weaving craft that goes back hundreds of years. Inside you’ll find a number of goodies from New York brand ‘Le Dabo’ and its Bergamote 22 range, including hand balm, lip balm, facial moisturiser and a refreshing towelette. There’s also a dental kit, socks, eyeshades, ear plugs, mints, pillow mist and pulse point oil.
Dining
Onboard the aircraft you receive a hotel-inspired welcome, with a silver tray service that fits nicely on the space next to your seat without having to fold out the tray table. Etihad’s inflight chefs are recruited from the finest restaurants around the world and will prepare a meal for you at any time during the flight. Your Inflight Chef will take orders from an a la carte menu or Kitchen Anytime menu and will cook your steak or eggs to your liking. To accompany your meal there’s a selection of wines from the world’s finest vineyards, carefully selected by Etihad’s sommeliers.
Customer Service
The First Class journey begins with a complimentary Etihad Chauffeur service, whisking you from your home or office to the airport. At Abu Dhabi International Airport you are greeted curbside by a Porter and Concierge before being escorted to a dedicated First Class check-in reception. Inside the airport you can relax in the exclusive Etihad First Class Lounge, with five-star dining featuring the Chef’s Table, and enjoy a pre-flight treatment in the Six Senses Spa.
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