Review: Etihad First & Business Class Lounge, Dublin
Time to head back after a rather short visit to Dublin. I'm definitely coming back here, though! That said, I have to leave the city first, if I want to come back, right? So here's a quick look at Dublin Airport, and more importantly, a review of and some pictures from Etihad's First and Business Class Lounge at Dublin Airport.
There are two wings to Terminal 2, when you're facing the building straight-on. The one on the right is almost exclusively dedicated to Aer Lingus, while other airlines have their desks in the left wing.
Check-in was pretty smooth, after which I had to clear security. There wasn't a border control desk, as I recall. However the security hold and departures are two levels above check-in, and can be reached by escalators or elevators.
Once I'd completed security procedures, I took an elevator down one level, which is where the lounges, some of the boarding gates, and the US pre-clearance desks are.
And en-route, got a glimpse of my ride for the evening.
Etihad's lounge is the last one on the left side of the walkway.
There was a very helpful hostess at the reception, who verified my boarding pass, and then handed me to one of the staff inside the lounge. I was also told that they'd inform me when boarding commenced.
I was shown a quick tour of the lounge, and after I'd selected a seat, a menu card was handed over.
And was accompanied by what seems to be Etihad's standard query these days: "Can I get you a glass of champagne?" It was a request I could not refuse.
While the champagne was being brought, I sauntered around the lounge taking pictures. Here they are.
The lounge was tastefully decorated, and even included some hurling memorabilia.
The lounge has great views of the apron on one side of the concourse in Terminal 2, where I was able to get a much better view and picture of my ride for the evening.
Even though Etihad operates only an A330 to Dublin (which has 24 business class seats), the lounge itself seemed to be able to accommodate nearly 50 persons, spread across its various sections.
There was a buffet of short eats - basically mezze stuff, consisting of white cheese, olives and goats cheese, tabouleh, Haloumi cheese, hummus, pita breads and the sort, and also some juices, crackers and cheese.
Right next to the buffet is a proper seating area for dining, though one can choose to eat anywhere.
Right across from the buffet is the bar, with some catchy-coloured seating!
Further down (between the buffet and the bar) is a sliding door, beyond which are separate men's and women's washrooms, a shower room and a prayer room.
Heck, even the washrooms looked amazing!
Back to the main lounge area, there's a business desk with 3 seats and Macs, just to the left of the entry vestibule.
Finally, there's a separate play room for kids. I like the fact that Etihad takes the pain to specifically address needs of their youngest passengers!
I came back to my seat to find the champagne and a cold towel already at the table.
Here's the menu I was presented with.
I'd separately chosen a small bowl of olives and cheese from the buffet, along with some crackers.
Soon, the hostess came around to offer a refill of the champagne,, while I waited for my main course dinner to arrive.
Dinner came over pretty soon. I'd ordered the over roasted haddock fillet, and it tasted much better than it looked (and it looked super, mind you!).
Here's another view of the really well-done interiors.
After dinner, I decided I needed a walk and some "fresh air" if you know my meaning. Unfortunately, there is not a smoking lounge in Terminal 2, though there's one in Terminal 1. Fortunately, the two terminals are connected (the corridor where the lounges are, is actually the connection).
However, note that it is at least a 5 minute walk (more, if there's a crowd in Terminal 1), to head up to the terrace garden (which is actually a bar with an adjacent open air area), which is located on the first floor after you cross the Starbucks outlet.
While the smoking area is accessible to all passengers, I repeat that it is a fairly good distance from the Etihad lounge.
I went back to the lounge, and almost immediately, one of the hostesses came over to say that the boarding had commenced, but added that there was no hurry for me to leave. This was followed by the restaurant hostess coming over to take my order for dessert. I chose the Salted Caramel and Dark Chocolate tarte, with ice cream.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye (rather reluctantly, if I might add) to this amazing lounge. I headed to gate 410 where EY048 was waiting.
It looked like a beautiful evening to fly, and it certainly felt that way.
The lounge was spectacular! I simply loved the views of the apron and tarmac from the lounge, as much as the way the lounge interiors were done up. The food quality was of very high standard, so nothing to complain there either. And the service was Etihad-legendary...very pleasant and helpful staff through the lounge, and indeed, the entire airport.
Index of posts
- Introduction
- Chennai International Airport lounge
- Chennai to Abu Dhabi, Jet Airways B737-800, business class
- Etihad First Class Lounge, Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi to London, Etihad A380, business suites
- London to Dublin on Ryanair
- Hotel review: Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport
- Etihad First & Business Class Lounge, Dublin
- Dublin to Abu Dhabi, Etihad A332, business class
- Etihad Business Class Lounge, Abu Dhabi
Quick look at the airport
Dublin Airport is located about 11 km from the city centre, and around 3 km from the Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport / Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport. There are 2 terminals: Terminal 1 handles all short-haul flights (except those of Aer Lingus); Terminal 2 is home to all long-haul flights and Aer Lingus, and also houses the US Pre-Clearance facility.
There are two wings to Terminal 2, when you're facing the building straight-on. The one on the right is almost exclusively dedicated to Aer Lingus, while other airlines have their desks in the left wing.
Check in and security
I headed to the Etihad counters (which was the only airline operating a flight at the time of my check-in). The business class check-in counter is located at the far left.
Check-in was pretty smooth, after which I had to clear security. There wasn't a border control desk, as I recall. However the security hold and departures are two levels above check-in, and can be reached by escalators or elevators.
Once I'd completed security procedures, I took an elevator down one level, which is where the lounges, some of the boarding gates, and the US pre-clearance desks are.
And en-route, got a glimpse of my ride for the evening.
Etihad First & Business Class lounge
The way to lounges is clearly signposted. There's a long corridor, which houses the Aer Lingus, the Dublin Airport Executive, and the Etihad lounges.
Etihad's lounge is the last one on the left side of the walkway.
There was a very helpful hostess at the reception, who verified my boarding pass, and then handed me to one of the staff inside the lounge. I was also told that they'd inform me when boarding commenced.
I was shown a quick tour of the lounge, and after I'd selected a seat, a menu card was handed over.
And was accompanied by what seems to be Etihad's standard query these days: "Can I get you a glass of champagne?" It was a request I could not refuse.
While the champagne was being brought, I sauntered around the lounge taking pictures. Here they are.
The lounge was tastefully decorated, and even included some hurling memorabilia.
The lounge has great views of the apron on one side of the concourse in Terminal 2, where I was able to get a much better view and picture of my ride for the evening.
Even though Etihad operates only an A330 to Dublin (which has 24 business class seats), the lounge itself seemed to be able to accommodate nearly 50 persons, spread across its various sections.
There was a buffet of short eats - basically mezze stuff, consisting of white cheese, olives and goats cheese, tabouleh, Haloumi cheese, hummus, pita breads and the sort, and also some juices, crackers and cheese.
Right next to the buffet is a proper seating area for dining, though one can choose to eat anywhere.
Right across from the buffet is the bar, with some catchy-coloured seating!
Further down (between the buffet and the bar) is a sliding door, beyond which are separate men's and women's washrooms, a shower room and a prayer room.
Heck, even the washrooms looked amazing!
Back to the main lounge area, there's a business desk with 3 seats and Macs, just to the left of the entry vestibule.
There are several couches along the glass window overlooking the apron, as well as books stocked on the shelves, which can be picked up for reading, if one is really that keen.
Finally, there's a separate play room for kids. I like the fact that Etihad takes the pain to specifically address needs of their youngest passengers!
I came back to my seat to find the champagne and a cold towel already at the table.
Here's the menu I was presented with.
I'd separately chosen a small bowl of olives and cheese from the buffet, along with some crackers.
Soon, the hostess came around to offer a refill of the champagne,, while I waited for my main course dinner to arrive.
Dinner came over pretty soon. I'd ordered the over roasted haddock fillet, and it tasted much better than it looked (and it looked super, mind you!).
Here's another view of the really well-done interiors.
After dinner, I decided I needed a walk and some "fresh air" if you know my meaning. Unfortunately, there is not a smoking lounge in Terminal 2, though there's one in Terminal 1. Fortunately, the two terminals are connected (the corridor where the lounges are, is actually the connection).
However, note that it is at least a 5 minute walk (more, if there's a crowd in Terminal 1), to head up to the terrace garden (which is actually a bar with an adjacent open air area), which is located on the first floor after you cross the Starbucks outlet.
You have to actually walk into and through the bar, to reach the terrace garden.
While the smoking area is accessible to all passengers, I repeat that it is a fairly good distance from the Etihad lounge.
I went back to the lounge, and almost immediately, one of the hostesses came over to say that the boarding had commenced, but added that there was no hurry for me to leave. This was followed by the restaurant hostess coming over to take my order for dessert. I chose the Salted Caramel and Dark Chocolate tarte, with ice cream.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye (rather reluctantly, if I might add) to this amazing lounge. I headed to gate 410 where EY048 was waiting.
It looked like a beautiful evening to fly, and it certainly felt that way.
Conclusion
The Dublin Airport itself was simple to navigate through, and convenient from a passenger point of view. No frills, and at the same time, nothing to complain about.The lounge was spectacular! I simply loved the views of the apron and tarmac from the lounge, as much as the way the lounge interiors were done up. The food quality was of very high standard, so nothing to complain there either. And the service was Etihad-legendary...very pleasant and helpful staff through the lounge, and indeed, the entire airport.
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