Etihad Sydney to Abu Dhabi Enterprise Class overview

This story first appeared in Holidays & Journey journal, winter 2019, challenge 111

Flight quantity: EY454

Route:Sydney to Abu Dhabi

Plane:Airbus A380-800

Class:Enterprise

Seat: 14A

Period: 13 hours and half-hour

The cabin

Enterprise class has a 1 x 2 x 1 configuration of ‘enterprise studios’ all through 11 rows. Window seats are each rear and forward-facing. Singular window seats are designed as their very own ‘pods’ (enterprise studios), whereas the central aisle 2 x seats sit side-by-side and will be separated by a collapsible display for privateness. All seats have direct aisle entry.

The seat

The enterprise studios are very nicely designed, with modern finishings. My window seat was extremely personal – I barely noticed different passengers aside from when transferring all through the cabin. Absolutely lie-flat beds are operated by an inset management panel in regards to the dimension of a cell phone, with one-touch seat presets for takeoff, eating, stress-free and sleep. Different capabilities operational from the management panel embrace a mixture of lighting (temper, desk, studying and facet gentle); cushion firmness (adjusting the softness or firmness of your seat); a therapeutic massage operate; seat recline and seat ahead capabilities; and the window shades to 2 home windows (buttons additionally on the home windows themselves). There are many stowage compartments, two USB chargers and a coat hook.

Leisure

The big display E Field is operated by one other retractable distant nearer to your seat (you can too function by touching the display itself). The distant operates like a contact display, swiping to maneuver between the modes of Motion pictures (new, favourites, household, Arabic, Indian, European and Asian); Albums, Meals & Beverage, TV, Reside TV, Video games, Information & Climate, Communications and Flight Path. There are adjustable language settings and subtitle choices. The flight was outfitted with Etihad Wi-Fly (for a further payment) from which you may make and obtain calls, ship and obtain texts and emails and so forth. Worldwide roaming charges apply. The noise-cancelling headphones had been excellent high quality and better of all, the jack has a magnetic operate that simply connects to the console – no fiddling round attempting to get the precise prongs into earphone gap sockets! A communal ‘Foyer’ lounge space consists of leather-based lounges for conferences, socialising or watching a widescreen TV.

Service

Service was glossy {and professional}. I acquired a drink and heat refresher towel earlier than take-off. Workers launched themselves by identify. My desk was ready by employees earlier than every meal and empty dishes had been promptly cleared away. Bogs had been additionally very clear on every go to.

Meals + Drink

My flight was a late night flight so I started with dinner not lengthy after take-off. After a glass of Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut and a few accompanying nuts, I loved a Thai coconut and basil soup with rice noodle, with simply the correct quantity of spice. For principal, I had the candy and bitter hen served with steamed jasmine rice, carrot and bok choy – served alongside a glass of 2017 Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay from Margaret River, WesternAustralia. Upon waking from a sleep within the flat mattress, I ordered a glass of Morocan Mint Tea which got here with recent mint, sugar cubes and biscuits – it was the right wake-up, as was a refreshing lemon and mint juice. Breakfast was additionally obtainable to order, selecting from cereals, pasties, yoghurts, steak sandwich, asparagus and a brie omelette.

Facilities

Enterprise class passengers are supplied with an Aqua di Parma amenity equipment containing socks, eye masks, toothbrush and paste, Aqua di Parma cologne and hand cream. I put my socks on earlier than take-off (with non-slip rubber soles) and stowed away my very own socks and boots which I solely slipped on once more upon touching down.