Review: Etihad Airways B787 Business Class

Etihad Airways is one of the newest partners of the Aeroplan program. That means you can use your Aeroplan points to fly on any Etihad flight, for example between North America and Abu Dhabi, or as I did here between Abu Dhabi and Europe.

In late 2018, I had the chance to try Etihad Airways First Class on board the B777 and the A380 (two completely different experiences between the two aircraft), and to see the lounges at Paris Charles De Gaulle as well as Abu Dhabi (including the private suite reserved for passengers flying in the Etihad Residence).

Things look very different today following COVID-19: the A380s have been retired indefinitely from the Etihad Airways fleet, and only a handful of aircraft still operate flights with a First Class cabin.

For this 7-hour flight between Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt (which let me catch a Lufthansa connection to Nice), I chose to try Etihad Airways Business Class, known as Business Studio.

Booking with Aeroplan

A 7-hour flight between Abu Dhabi and Europe (Frankfurt, Paris, Geneva, etc.) costs:

Plus roughly $80 in taxes (including the Aeroplan partner booking fee).

And the cash price for that same flight? $3,125. I would obviously never have paid that price, but it gives you an idea of the value you can pull out of Aeroplan points in a case like this one.

Here I get a value of: ($3,125 (cost of the flight) – $81 (taxes paid)) / 45,000 points = 6.8 cents per point. That is more than triple my valuation of the Aeroplan point at 2 cents per point.

45,000 Aeroplan points are very easy to collect thanks to the welcome bonuses on Aeroplan credit cards and your everyday spending on those cards. Some, like the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, are even free for the first year!

You can also transfer 45,000 American Express Membership Rewards points into 45,000 Aeroplan points from many Membership Rewards cards, such as the American Express Cobalt^® Card.

Here are the best current offers:

Etihad Airways – Business Lounge in Abu Dhabi

Arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport at dawn to catch this flight to Frankfurt, I head straight to the Etihad Airways Business Lounge.

It is still quiet at this hour, and social distancing measures are in full effect.

Helping yourself at the buffet, for instance, is out of the question: you have to place your order with the staff. Since I was going to have a proper lunch on board, I only asked for a glass (or two) of champagne!

Etihad Airways – Business Studio

Finally, after 2 glasses of champagne and a mimosa, here I am at my boarding gate. Not many people on this flight to Frankfurt. In fact, I would be the only passenger in Business Class on this flight (which has no First Class cabin). On top of having the entire Business cabin to myself, I am driven to the aircraft on a fully private bus.

Social distancing measures are being respected, that much is certain!

At certain times of year, taking an early morning flight in the middle of the desert is always an incredible experience, with that mist wrapping the whole airport. Here I am at the foot of the Boeing 787-10 that will carry me to Europe.

On board, I am spoiled for choice when it comes to my seat. Two extra passengers eventually joined me, no doubt upgraded at the last minute.

The cabin layout on this aircraft gives every passenger direct aisle access. Half the seats, however, face backwards. I only recommend choosing those seats if you have a long overnight flight (it is easier to sleep lying flat that way, because the aircraft always flies with the nose higher than the tail).

For this daytime flight, I prefer a window seat facing forward. In any case, with only 3 passengers on board, I set up my office two rows behind, my bed one row behind, and my dining chair would be this one  (you will notice this seat is missing a window, a lapse in judgment brought on by lack of sleep, no doubt):

For passengers travelling as a couple, I obviously recommend the seats in the middle of the cabin (be careful to pick the pair that sits side by side):

The other middle-seat configuration puts the two seats farther apart and more exposed to the aisle (in other words, the “worst” seats in this business class).

And for those travelling with a baby, I have been there, know that a bassinet can be installed between these two business class seats, between both parents (or between you and another passenger who will be very happy to lend a hand if you are travelling alone).

At the seat, you get a USB port, a power outlet, the electric seat controls, the television remote and a few storage spaces. The table is large and it is easy to set up a laptop on it.

Shortly before takeoff, sanitary kits are handed out to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Then come the business class amenity kits, along with a pillow and a duvet.

Finally, the menu of the day is brought around so orders can be taken before takeoff.

I do like to keep the French wine industry busy 🙂

Now we take off, with a lovely view over a still misty Abu Dhabi.

Not long after takeoff, lunch is served.

After that excellent meal, it is time for me to get some work done using the Wi-Fi. Etihad Airways offers an excellent paid Wi-Fi network.

Holders of the HSBC World Elite^® Mastercard^®, however, get free unlimited access to Boingo Wi-Fi networks, and Etihad Airways is a Boingo partner (as are Lufthansa, Swiss, Singapore Airlines, etc.).

The HSBC World Elite^® Mastercard^® is the card I use most abroad, because there are no conversion fees on foreign currency transactions (a 2.5% saving on every purchase). It also comes with a $100 annual travel credit.

After two hours of work, I decide to take a nap to counter the effects of a 4 a.m. wake-up call and one mimosa orange juice too many.

Legroom is reasonable without being huge. At 1.80 m , it is enough for me. But a taller person might find the space tight.

After a two-hour nap, a quick stop in the lavatory to freshen up.

A little before landing, a snack is served (an excellent steak sandwich), along with a glass of champagne (and a double espresso).

I take in the beautiful views over Europe on this sunny day.

We land on time at Frankfurt International Airport in Germany, greeted by a sad sight: the entire Lufthansa A380 fleet grounded because of COVID-19.

Conclusion

Etihad Airways may not offer the best business class in the world, but this product is solid. Being able to get a 7-hour flight in these conditions for only 45,000 Aeroplan points is a genuine bargain, and one I encourage you to try at least once!