Etihad Business Class Lounge AUH

Lounges
Written By The Travel Duckie
 
 

Etihad Business Lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

 

A sufficiently impressive lounge boasting plentiful seating and delicious food. Nevertheless, its absence of certain amenities makes it pale in comparison to some of its Middle Eastern competitors.

Following a pleasant experience at Andaz Abu Dhabi, I utilized the Careem App to arrange transportation, first to explore The Louvre Abu Dhabi and later directly to Abu Dhabi airport. Similar to Grab in functionality, Careem is a must download app for those without your personal transportation.

Check-In

I experienced a moment of awkwardness when the driver inquired about my drop-off location (the shy side of me making an appearance! 😳). Given that Etihad mainly operates from Abu Dhabi airport (AUH), naturally it has designated drop-off points for Business and First Class passengers. Sheepishly, I directed the driver to drop me off the Business Class drop-off area. I couldn't help but wonder what he must have thought: "This guy in Business Class?! 😆"

With AUH serving as Etihad's primary hub, it was impressive that there were dedicated check-in areas for Business and First Class passengers. The Business Class check-in area boasts ample counters, ensuring a very swift and efficient check-in process. I was relieved when they manage to provide boarding passes for my Oman Air segments (I was on an Aeroplan award flight with 2 different airlines), sparing me the hassle of obtaining them at Muscat International Airport.

Within 10-15 minutes, I breezed through the dedicated security lanes and passport control, and made my way to the Business Class Lounge.

Directions To Lounge

The Etihad Business Class Lounge is located some distance away after passing through the duty-free area, turning left and following the signs directing to the Business Class lounge.

Following a brief stop for souvenir shopping, where I picked up some dates (one of the best I have eaten by the way) and vanilla fudge, I promptly made my way to the lounge, situated near Gates 36-57.

Facilities

The Etihad Business Class Lounge boasts considerable size, although it undeniably falls short when compared to the Qatar Al Mourjan and Emirates Lounges at their respective home bases.

Upon entry, I was first greeted by the expansive dining areas and numerous buffet stations scattered throughout the lounge. Further inside, there are additional seating areas with loungers facing the runway and sofas nestled in the inner sections.

The main bar is also located near the bend. I treated myself to a glass of their in-house champagne, Duval Leroy, after dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the experience while seated at the bar counter.

Regrettably, I only came across the shower facilities when visiting the restroom, and to my disappointment, there were only a few showers, all of which were occupied. This was disheartening as I had intended to freshen up before my late flight back.

Additionally, there is a Business Centre and an area known as The Den, featuring private pods USB charging outlets are also available, which I fully utilized after dinner to charge my electronics (particularly after indulging in some Formula 1 viewing🤣).

Dining

There were actually multiple buffet stations available, but the main dining area is where the buffet variety is the widest. I chose a seat at one of the dining tables there and
Multiple buffet stations were indeed available, with the widest variety located in the main dining area. Opting for a seat at one of the dining tables there, I treated myself to three rounds of servings, particularly relishing their biryani prepared with an authentic Middle Eastern twist.

While the desserts were undeniably delicious, they were admittedly overly sweet for an Asian palate like mine.

Additionally, complimentary newspapers and magazines were offered through Pressreader, accessible via a QR code displayed on each dining table.

Lounge Occupancy

I lingered inside the lounge for nearly 4 hours, but it did become increasingly crowded as the evening approached. I barely managed to secure a spot at The Den after my extended dining and bar experience. Do take note when planning your flight times, to ensure you can fully enjoy the experience.

Conclusion

The check-in service provided by Etihad Airways at their Abu Dhabi hub was notably efficient and does carry a degree of exclusivity. Etihad Airways also extends a complimentary chauffeur service to and from the hotel for passengers on paid flights, which should definitely be utilized for the complete experience!

While the Business Lounge could certainly be improved to compete with the standards set by other leading Middle Eastern airlines, it is definitely above average, largely due to its spaciousness and the quality of its food and beverage offerings.
For instance, increasing the number of showers, especially for a transit hub like Abu Dhabi Airport, would undoubtedly be appreciated.

With that, onwards to the start of this flight! A short journey to Muscat awaits.

The Travel Duckie

https://www.travelduckie.com
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