Explore Etihad’s Terminal 3 in Abu Dhabi: AirlineReporter

A few months ago I wrote an article about Fly in business class on Etihad 787Later in the trip, during a long layover, I explored the highlights of the airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi.

These highlights include a free hotel program for long-term stays and a unique US immigration pre-clearance facility. The best part is visiting the incredible first class lounge in the morning for a delicious breakfast, great views of the slopes, and even a cigar bar.

Read on to find out about Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub, and tips on how to take advantage of it if you’re passing through the airport yourself.

Abu Dhabi broke ground on a new midfield terminal a few years ago, but delays and drama have repeatedly pushed back the opening date. Apparently it’s mostly done, but the opening date remains a mystery. Currently, Etihad Airways’ long haul operations are based in Terminal 3.The terminal does not have Feel So old, but it’s older than most other large Middle Eastern hubs, and a bit small for what Etihad is currently operating. As a result, some flights depart from remote stands.

I arrived at one of the remote stands on an inbound flight for a 12 hour layover. Honestly, as an AvGeek, I love huddling in a remote booth for the chance to get up close and personal with aircraft. There are indeed some great up-close aircraft observations on the bus ride to the terminal.

Overnight in Abu Dhabi

provided by Etihad A full range of free or discounted stopover optionsdepending on the length of your stay (minimum but reasonable fare requirements apply):

• ‘Best of Abu Dhabi’ – if you have up to four nights to kill, you can book four or five star hotels for up to 40% off.
• ‘We Stopover’ – For short stays, you can stay up to two nights free in selected 3- and 4-star hotels in the city.
• “Transit Connect” — for the shortest layovers — 10 to 24 hours — the airline offers free hotel accommodations to travelers in all travel classes, as long as you book at least five days before arrival (there are some other restrictions, so Definitely read the fine print). Some options are in the city, but the most popular option is probably the Premier Inn hotel directly connected to the terminal. The hotel is landside, but UAE immigration is fast.

The rooms at the Premier Inn are simple but clean. On top of that, it’s nice that there is a free option that allows me to stay overnight in the terminal, and the front desk staff know to make quick check-in and check-out for travelers on the go.

Etihad first class lounge

Without a doubt, the highlight of my stopover in Abu Dhabi was spending a morning in the airline’s impressive first-class lounge. Premium cabin passengers have their own terminal entrance.

The entrance to the First Class Lounge is just behind the Security Checkpoint in Terminal 3.

The VIP room is located on the upper level of the main lobby. From the elevator, the entrance sets the right tone for a first-class space.

On the way into the center of the lounge, I pass a charming bar.

Opposite the bar is the main dining area. As you might expect, this is full formal service at your table.

At the end of the restaurant is the iconic Etihad Lounge Bar. The unique geometric pattern of the backdrop stand is gorgeous.We’ve admired similar designs for Etihad lounges in the past Los Angeles International Airport and Kennedy International Airportalthough airlines have closed a lot of lounges since we wrote these stories.

Airplane lovers rejoice! Great airport views from this part of the lounge. You have a clear view of the main runway and you can also see Terminal 1.

Below is the extensive menu:

The breakfasts I tried were excellent.

Etihad’s VIP rooms offer some unique features – starting with a legal cigar and whiskey bar.

Of course, that’s pretty much a caricature of what you’d expect from a first-class lounge. But isn’t that the point?

There is a menu that recommends whiskey, coffee and tea pairings for each cigar.

Even though I’m not a cigar fan, personally I do like the vibe.

Nearby is a display highlighting Etihad Airways’ partnership with Breitling.

In the hall, I explored several other corners of the lounge.

No one was using the gym when I was there, but there are weightlifting and some cardio options.

If you need a place to park your kids, they have you covered. Shout out to OG Scooby-Doo fans out there (Editor’s note – my kids, and yours, dear reader, may not know who those people are).

The shower is beautiful.

All in all, a stylish and well-appointed lounge that covers everything you’d expect from a first-class ground experience.

transit before flight

Perhaps the most unique part of the Abu Dhabi ground experience is the U.S. Customs Pre-clearance FacilityWorldwide, there are only a few such facilities, especially outside of the usual American tourist spots like Mexico and the Caribbean. The idea is that you clear U.S. immigration and customs before your flight, so you can disembark in the U.S. as if you were disembarking a domestic flight — and save a lot of time in the process. Etihad Airways and the airport are clearly proud of this feature.

I didn’t take a picture of the checkpoint itself, as there are countless signs prohibiting photography, and a US military prison didn’t seem like the best place to end my vacation. The checkpoint is at least as fast as most immigration checkpoints in the US, and there’s even a premium cabin lounge after the checkpoint, so you won’t feel compelled to close it if you’re a first class or business traveler.

So how is Etihad’s ground game in general? The accommodation options for short stopovers and longer layovers are excellent, taking the pain out of a long layover. Immigration and customs pre-clearance is a unique and useful advantage. Of course, the first class lounge is also great.

As for areas for improvement, the business class lounge is large, but the facilities and food are not the most competitive. We’re curious to see if Etihad will update these amenities as part of their ongoing ‘Constellation Collection’ project to invest in their soft offerings. The new midfield terminal cannot be opened too early to give Etihad more room to operate.

_{Note: We arrange the business class itinerary by ourselves for this itinerary. We contacted the airline before arriving in Abu Dhabi and they offered us access to the first class lounge. All opinions are our own.}

Senior Reporter – New York, NY. Manu earned his private pilot’s license in high school, which set the tone for his interest in all things aviation. He earned frequent flyer status as a journalist and is now a resident in New York City. He enjoys writing about air travel from a millennial perspective.

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