Review: Etihad A380 Business Studio - Abu Dhabi to London

I flew Etihad's A330 Abu Dhabi-London service last year in business class, and the return trip on their A380 First Apartment. However, Etihad has since changed equipment on the AUH-LHR route, such that they are all now run on A380s, which gave me the opportunity to fly their Business Class Studio. Here's the review.




Index of posts


Flight review


AUH-LHR
EY11 | 8h 0m | 3,432 miles | Business Class (Business Studio)

After an amazing time at the lounge I didn't want to leave, I headed out around 1.50 am for a 2.35 am departure. The departure gate was only a minute's walk from the lounge.

First and business class on Etihad's A380 aircraft are entirely located on the upper deck, separated by the on-board lounge / bar. I headed straight to my seat in 22A, which was a forward facing seat in the rear business class cabin (almost at the end of the plane). Business class seats are in a 1-2-1 configuration, with all seats having direct aisle access.

Etihad A380 seat map

Here's the seat, with Poltrona Frau upholstery.

Etihad A380 business studio - My window seat 22A

Etihad features a dovetail design with alternating forward- and rear-facing seats. The aisle seats have a separator between the seats that can be lowered.

Etihad A380 business studio aisle seats - note the partition between the two seats has been lowered

Etihad A380 business studio cabin

The seats are 22 inches wide, and can be converted to fully flat, with a length of 6'8". That includes the ottoman at the end of the seat, just below the TV screen.

Etihad A380 business studio - ottoman and footwear storage

The seat also comes with ample storage and table space - one on the side of the seat (which can also be used to keep a laptop, when the main meal table is being used).

Etihad A380 business studio - storage area

And for window seats, one storage dock by the window, which is more than ample to hold your pocket's contents. You can even fold a travel jacket and keep it here.

Etihad A380 business studio - storage near window

There are such compartments across alternate seats by the window.

Etihad A380 business studio - storage compartments by the window
Etihad A380 business studio - cabin view in ambient lighting

The business studio seat comes with a separate side light, in addition to a reading light on top.

Etihad A380 business studio - lighting

Etihad A380 business studio - seat

There's also sufficient storage space underneath the ottoman to store footwear for the duration of the flight.

Etihad A380 business studio - ottoman and footwear storage

As soon as I got into my seat, a welcome drink was offered. I chose Etihad's signature lemon-mint.

Etihad A380 business studio - Lemon-mint welcome drink 

Followed by a glass of cheerful bubbly.

Etihad A380 business studio - welcome champagne

Amenity kits were already placed at the seats. The ones currently offered are limited edition amenity kits with designs inspired by some of the iconic cities from Etihad's global network. Each kit contains a customised Etihad Airways LUXE City Guide.
Etihad A380 business studio - Amenity kit

Scaramouche + Fandango have also developed an exclusive unisex comfort kit and skincare offering in collaboration with Etihad.

Etihad A380 business studio - Amenity kit contents

Soon, refuelling was completed, but because they had to offload the bags of one passenger (missed connection, perhaps?), it took us some time to get airborne.

Etihad A380 business studio - view out of window at AUH

Crew distributed separate menu cards for the beverages and for food.

Etihad A380 business studio - wine list

Sadly, I couldn't get a good enough picture of the food menus.

Cabin interiors were then dimmed for take off.

Etihad A380 business studio - mood lighting in business class

After a slightly longish roll, we were up and away, bound for London Heathrow.

Etihad A380 business studio - flight map

Etihad A380 business studio - flight map

Since my dinner was thoroughly done at the lounge, I didn't order anything to eat, except for ice cream. However, I suppose I was really tired out, and fell asleep without realising it.

I was woken up for breakfast (which I'd specified prior to departure), when the cabin attendant reminded me that I hadn't had my ice cream! What better time to have it then, if not prior to breakfast?

But not before a quick refresh.

Etihad A380 business studio - bathrooms

Etihad A380 business studio - bathrooms

Etihad A380 business studio - bathrooms

Etihad A380 business studio - bathrooms

About that ice cream.

Etihad A380 business studio - Häagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream

And for breakfast, it was some OJ, along with scrambled eggs and toast, plus English muffins.

Etihad A380 business studio - breakfafst

Breakfast was completed in quick order. I then make a short trip to the onboard lounge (because, it exists!).

Etihad A380 business studio - onboard lounge

The next 30 minutes were spent between watching The Revenant and looking out of the window.

Etihad A380 business studio - window and wing view

A little while later, the attendant came around to ask if I'd care for some tea. Sounded good, so here was some Moroccan Jasmine team with honey, and some cookies.

Etihad A380 business studio - tea, honey and cookies

We were then handed out landing cards and a fast track pass each.

Etihad A380 business studio - Landing card and fast track pass

With nothing better to do, I hopped out to take some pictures of the business class cabin

Etihad A380 business studio - cabin view in daylight

Soon, it was time for descent.

Etihad A380 business studio - Approach into LHR

And landing.

Etihad A380 business studio - Landing at LHR

Etihad A380 business studio - taxiing to gate at LHR

We passed several aircraft...

Etihad A380 business studio - taxiing to gate at LHR

...before finally parking alongside some more middle-eastern neighbours from Oman and Saudi Arabia!

Etihad A380 business studio - parked next to Saudia B777-368 ER

It was finally time to go.

Etihad A380 - parked at LHR

Overall, the flight was extremely comfortable, and the F&B was great. The only problem I have with the window seats, however, is that the entry area is quite small, and heavy-built folks may need to try and squeeze in sideways. This didn't seem such a problem with the aisle seats.

Anyway, that's one more business class product done.

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