Ok so let’s head back to “New York-time”, on my last post, where I just spent less than 24 hours in New York and caught up with my friend.After that, I boarded my flight from JFK New York to Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways graciously upgraded me to business class. I wasn’t able to check out the lounge in JFK, but this post will be about the business class product service for the New York to Abu Dhabi route.The aircraft used for the New York-Abu Dhabi route is an Airbus 340-500 series.The business class product in this route is the older model (Aqua coloured design). I will later do a post on the newer business class model. (All tan/brown design)
Before take-off, I was given refreshments, and handed the meal menu. It’s a la Carte dining, service on demand. The cabin crew will ask when you would like your meal to be given. (ie, is it after take off , which is the normal time, or in an hour, or will you just sleep and order when you feel like eating?)
The Menu has 4 choices of Mains and 2-3 selections of Starters and Desserts. Refreshments and snacks are also available throughout the flight.
The business class seats are in a staggered pattern, meaning everyone has access to the aisle. This is the seat setup when you first arrive. The footrest contains a compartment for your shoes–very clever!
There are several seat/recline modes on the chair. There’s even a massage setting so if you wish to, you can have the seat massaging you for the entire 13 hour flight!
At a push of a button, the seat transforms into a fully-flat bed. The seat extends all the way to the footrest part so it becomes one solid “bed”.
I loved the blanket comforter by the way, it’s very plush and perfect for me who gets cold easily. Only 1 comforter was enough. The lie-flat seat was very very comfortable. I was able to sleep like a log–I was able to sleep both sideways and on my back, very comfortably.
Movie selection was pretty good. The screen was big enough for me to view it from “afar”– meaning I am reclined (semi flat) while watching. The selection was very broad, there was even a Tagalog (Filipino) Film feature! There were a couple, and I chose “A Mother’s Story” starring Pokwang, a Filipino comedienne on a drama role. It was actually a pretty good movie. Speaks very true of the plight of all overseas Filipino workers leaving their families behind.
The second half of the flight, I watched the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (just half of it). Very witty and funny. I watched the last half of it on my return flight.
Now the food! I didn’t order any of the mains because I had dinner at JFK Airport before boarding the flight. So this grilled steak sandwich was one of the anytime, on-demand “snacks”available. It was sooo good. The steak wasn’t some ground burger beef type. It’s real beef steak cut very thinly and it’s oh so tender. Along with it I ordered potato chips and Moroccan tea with mint. Perfect midnight snack!
My entertainment reads for the flight. Hello Magazine from Etihad, and my ever trusted companion throughout the 6 week journey, Gone With the Wind (perfect travelling book for me! The compact size, the depth and breadth of the story makes it the perfect book travel companion)
Now one of my favourite parts of the Etihad business class product is the lavatory.
It was a joy to freshen up in there! Very spacious, complete with vanity lights, and mirrors on both sides too so you can check out your ‘behind’ and also a full length mirror on the door. Their toiletries are from Greek cosmetic brand Korres (love their basil lemon hand lotion!) and you also get a personal kit containing Korres hand lotion and shea butter lip balm!
The best part of the lavatory for me is definitely the presence of a Window!!! Yes, there is a window inside the toilet! You don’t have to worry keeping it shut, because it’s only Superman who can do a peeping tom action in the clouds!
The window definitely helps prevent the feeling of being boxed in, as most aircraft lavatories would. Etihad definitely has one of the best business class lavatories in the market. I have seen some leading airlines’ business class lavatories and they do not compare at all.
In the meantime, as a last photo for this post, checkout my wishbone necklace that my friend gave me when we said goodbye in JFK. Thanks for the thoughtful gift , Ace!
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This trip was sponsored by Etihad Airways. Opinions of the product/service are entirely mine.
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