Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

Review: Etihad Airways Arrivals Lounge – Abu Dhabi (AUH)

Review: Etihad Airways Arrivals Lounge – Abu Dhabi (AUH)

Note8.8/10

Lounge
Salon Etihad Airways Arrivals Lounge
Airport
Aéroport international d'Abou Dabi
Lounge Access Method
Première Classe, Classe Affaires, ainsi que nos membres Etihad Guest éligibles
Terminal
1 et 3
Country
United Arab Emirates
City
Abu Dhabi
Share

Following our excellent flight onboard Etihad Airways, first class, between Paris and Abu Dhabi, we visited the lounge Etihad Airways Arrivals Lounge before leaving to discover Abu Dhabi.

The lounge Etihad Airways Arrivals Lounge in Abu Dhabi (AUH)

It’s 6:30 in the morning when we arrive in Abu Dhabi. The airport is beginning to fill up with the various flights arriving there, often with many passengers in transit.

When your final destination is Abu Dhabi, you are only entitled to access the lounge « Arrivals »: the lounge Etihad Airways First Class is only accessible if you are departing from Abu Dhabi (or connecting).

So we go directly to the lounge Arrivals:

etihad arrivals lounge auh 1

Fortunately, the the lounge Arrivals is empty, as you can see on these pictures!

etihad arrivals lounge auh 6
etihad arrivals lounge auh 6

Etihad Airways has standardised its different aircraft throughout the world: the colours and furnishings are identical to the one we visited the day before in Paris Charles de Gaulle.

etihad arrivals lounge auh 11

Although modest in size, this lounge has different spaces that can accommodate 8-10 people.

etihad arrivals lounge auh 12

A buffet is available with cold/hot drinks and various snacks.

etihad arrivals lounge auh 7
etihad arrivals lounge auh 10
etihad arrivals lounge auh 9
etihad arrivals lounge auh 8

After a night on the plane, it’s always nice to be able to take a shower before exploring a city!

As our B777 was not equipped with a shower (unlike the A380 we will have on our return flight 😆 ), we will use the one available in the lounge !

Audrey and I won’t have to wait to take possession of two bathrooms. In case of a rush in the lounge, you will have to register on a waiting list. It is even possible to donate your clothes (shirts) for a quick dry-cleaning!

Everything is perfectly clean and well arranged. There are even toiletries at your disposal (hairspray, deodorants and hygienic accessories) as well as a bottle of water.

Conclusion

A lounge Arrivals without a single wrong note! You’ll find everything you need to get off the plane!

After an hour spent at the lounge, it’s time to pick up our rental car and discover what Abu Dhabi has to offer!

etihad arrivals lounge auh 13

Go further with airport VIP lounges

To access VIP lounges without paying $50 each time, check our complete guide on free airport lounge access and our best credit cards for airport VIP lounges ranking, updated monthly by the Milesopedia team.

Our featured card

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.