Review: Etihad First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Today:  Review of Etihad’s new First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport

I recently flew in The Residence onboard an Etihad Airways Airbus A380 from Abu Dhabi to London. The Residence is the only three room suite in the sky, equipped with a living room, ensuite bathroom with shower, and a private bedroom. The uber-luxurious space is located on the A380’s upper deck and can accommodate a maximum of two passengers a living room. I’ll publish my YouTube video about The Residence this Saturday on my YouTube channel and my detailed review of The Residence next week on my blog. Today, I’ll review the Etihad Airways’ new First Class lounge in Abu Dhabi International Airport, where passengers can spend their time prior to their flight in The Residence.

In this review:

• New Terminal A at Abu Dhabi International Airport
• New Etihad First Class lounge at at Abu Dhabi International Airport

TERMINAL A AT ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Last November, Etihad Airways moved all its flights to and from the new Terminal A at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which was renamed to Zayed International Airport after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founder. Terminal A brings a major increase in capacity for Abu Dhabi’s commercial aviation sector, more than doubling the current passenger capacity, with the new facilities being able to process up to 45 million travellers annually. Terminal A will further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s global standing as an aviation hub, capable of handling 79 planes at once and 11,000 passengers per hour. The increase in capacity allows for airlines to boost their presence in Abu Dhabi in response to growing demand.

With 163 retail concessionaires – from Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Ferragamo, to the world’s first Muji airport store – Terminal A is a is a shopper’s paradise.  When it comes to food and beverage, there is something to accommodate all palates. Jones The Grocer, Taste of India, Starbucks and the Camden Food Co. are just a few of the brands found inside the Terminal. Additionally, Todd English’s first airport restaurant provides diners with a wide selection of cuisines from around the world. For relaxation and rejuvenating prior to flying, there are two health and beauty spas along with a 138-bedroom hotel plus a modern open-air lounge offering renowned Arabic hospitality.

Terminal A’s design – from airside to landside, building to furniture – was conceived and executed entirely by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) to deliver a premium travel experience. The X-shaped building has four themed piers with a design inspired by Abu Dhabi’s desert, sea, city and oasis natural landscapes, making it a truly timeless piece of architecture for generations to enjoy. It also features the Sana Al Nour, which is one of the largest indoor public art features in the Middle East, standing at 22 m (72 ft) tall and 17 m (56 ft) wide.

The interior of Terminal A might seem familiar to some passengers since a scene in the film “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” was filmed at the terminal before it officially opened.

ETIHAD FIRST CLASS LOUNGE AT ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

When Terminal A opened, Etihad Airways also unveiled its new flagship lounges within the terminal. Etihad’s impressive new lounge complex spans three floors of Terminal A’s north side, nestled between Piers C and D. The Etihad lounges are accessible to guests flying in Etihad’s The Residence, First and Business Class and members of Etihad’s frequent flyer program with eligible tier status. Guests flying in Economy Class who wish to enjoy the exclusive lounge space can purchase access to Etihad’s Business Lounge subject to availability. The Lounge is conveniently located with access to three gates offering direct-lounge boarding on selected flights, meaning guests in premium cabins can board straight from the Lounge for convenience and speed.

The First Class lounge offers a dedicated reception lobby and a private elevator to access the Rooftop Lounge on the top floor of the complex. Here, a central walkway leads down the entire length of the lounge, which is comprised of different luxurious seating areas along the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. One side of the lounge features an elegant parlor where a selection of pastries and desserts on display. A signature tea experience is offered here as well, including an array of tea ceremonies and a signature coffee presentation. On the other side, the lounge’s dining room offers an elevated dining experience with à la carte dining and a fine wine selection recommended by in-house experts. During my stay, I choose the lobster machboose ravioli, served with peppers, spinach, basil and spiced butter, which tasted excellent.

For the ultimate relaxation and indulgence before flying, First class Private Suites are available for guests to work, relax and dine in complete privacy. The Private Suites are complimentary for guests flying in The Residence and available for booking by all other First class lounge guests.

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