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background On June 30, 2022, Emirates airline Etihad Airways celebrated the maiden flight of its new A350-1000 from Abu Dhabi International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The 14-hour business class flight provides a seamless experience from the moment you step into the airport to the moment you land at JFK. The newly launched flight has a capacity of 371 passengers and is one of five new Airbus A350s. Martin Drew, Etihad Airways’ senior vice president of global sales and cargo, said 44 of the seats are in business class, “providing a luxury experience comparable to first class on other international airlines”.
Not only does business class provide a luxurious flying experience, but the aircraft itself is also highly efficient, reinforcing the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s sustainability goals. “This is an incredible aircraft with efficient fuel burn and CO2 reduction, which allows us to support our carbon reduction goals and provide our guests with an unparalleled flying experience,” Drew explained .
first impression Departure time was 1015 and I was picked up at 0600 by Etihad’s free business class chauffeur service from my home in central Dubai. It was a smooth and fast journey to the UAE capital with plenty of time to check in.
I arrived at the airport around 0715 and was greeted by friendly Etihad staff in the business class check-in area. An attendant helped me with my luggage and took me to the check-in counter where I was taken to a seat and waited for my luggage to be checked and my boarding pass to be collected.
I provided my passport, along with my ESTA (visa required to enter the US) and vaccine certificate I got through the Alhosn app. There is a separate immigration and security department at Etihad Business and First Class, making sure I have enough time to get through.
lounge I then headed to the Etihad Business Class lounge to enjoy some downtime before the long flight. The lounge is spacious with a sofa area, separate seating and dining table – there are many options to suit any need. It was relatively quiet when I entered and the staff were friendly and ready to help me with anything I needed.
For F&B products, the buffet has a variety of options – a hearty breakfast and a cup of coffee to start your day with everything you need. There are also well-stocked refrigerators with soft drinks and other snacks for passengers to help themselves. The bar is quiet early in the morning, but it’s a great place to relax before your flight.
Overall, the lounge is a great place for guests to recharge before their flight, complete last-minute emails before takeoff, and enjoy a meal.
boarding Those travelling to the US from Abu Dhabi need to be mindful of the time to get to the gate as you can go through US customs while in the UAE. This is all done through Etihad’s US pre-clearance, the only US Customs and Border Protection agency in the Middle East. While this means you’ll need to leave a little earlier on your way to the gate at Abu Dhabi Airport, it saves a lot of time and effort when you arrive in the US, avoiding immigration and queues. The whole US immigration process went smoothly, and then I went to the gate where I arrived as the business class passenger was called to board. I scanned my ticket at the gate, then I walked down the sidewalk to board the new A350 for New York City.
the seat; the seat; the seat Business Class is the highest cabin class on the A350, with 44 seats and spaciousness. The layout is a standard 1-2-1 with cream, brown and gold upholstery giving the cabin a relaxed ambience. With no overhead bins in the center of the cabin, it feels extra spacious – but don’t worry, there’s no shortage of hand luggage space.
The seat pod has been designed with technology and style in mind, with a faux marble finish, and the tone of the rest of the cabin echoes the seats. The folding table is about 42cm long and 46cm wide when unfolded, perfect for those who want to work on the fly. There are also several charging points, including standard power outlets, USB-A and USB-C charging ports.
The seats themselves are very comfortable, and the double-closing doors in each pod provide a lot of space and privacy. When fully reclined, the seat becomes a 200cm bed.
flight I was welcomed by friendly Etihad flight attendants who were attentive from the moment I boarded. After getting myself comfortable and ready to take off, I was given a welcome drink and asked to look at the menu and let them know the meal of my choice. We had a long takeoff, with an easy transition from the runway to the air.
For entertainment, there is a huge selection of in-flight movies of all genres to enjoy, as well as TV shows and even some live TV shows, all available on the 18.5-inch touchscreen TV.
There is also car wifi. However, business class guests can only get a 350MB free voucher. After that, 350MB is charged for 24 hours for $29.99.
diet I order from the a la carte menu before departure and I can choose when I want to eat. I opted for the Arabic appetizer and it was a good choice – filling but not too heavy on a long flight. Then I had the great truffle pasta. However, I was full so I didn’t choose dessert.
arrive The landing was smooth when we landed at JFK and we arrived at the arrival gate early. The entire immigration process was done in Abu Dhabi, so we arrived like domestic travelers, leaving from the domestic exit. When I went to get my luggage and enjoy a cool 48 hours in New York City, the whole process was easy and perfect.
judgment Service throughout the Etihad Airways A350-1000 Business Class is seamless from start to finish. If you are planning to travel to New York City from the UAE, I would not recommend flying from Abu Dhabi, even if you are in Dubai. Olivia Morris
Most suitable
A seamless flight experience from start to finish
configure
1-2-1
Seat width and pitch
20.25″/44″
seat reclining
180 degree
bed length
78.7 inches
flight duration
14 hours to JFK International Airport
price
Internet prices for round-trip business class flights from AUH to JFK from Dhs10,740
touch
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