Airline Profile: Etihad Airways
The Facts:
| Founded | 2003 |
| Alliance | None |
| Hubs | Abu Dhabi International Airport |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi |
| Fleet Count | Around 114 |
| Skytrax Rating | 4 (out of 5) |
| Parent Company | Etihad Aviation Group |
| Travel Classes | Economy Class Business Class (Business Studio – 787 & A380) First Class (First Apartment – A380) The Residence (A380 Only) |
| Frequent Flyer Program | Etihad Guest |
| Website | etihad.com |
| Type of Airline | Full Service Carrier |
Analysis:
What to Fly:
Airbus A380/787 Premium Cabins
All 787s and A380s on Etihad feature an updated business class cabin (called “business studio”) which is more modern, spacious, and comfortable than other business class cabins on Etihad. On the A380, First Class features one of the best cabins in the world. The First Class Apartment (only on the A380) features closed suites with both a bed and a chair in each suite. A portion of the wall between suites can be closed down to create the upper half of a double bed in First Class. Also, First Class passengers on the A380 get access to a shower, while all premium passengers on the A380 have access to “the lobby,” a private gathering area between First and Business Class Cabins. However, it is known that The Lobby is not used much and is rather unpractical.
Travel Classes
Economy
Etihad features personal entertainment screens at every seat on all aircraft. On select aircraft, Etihad has wifi available for purchase. Etihad offers extra legroom economy seats for purchase, although there are very few of those available. Etihad now charges an extra surcharge to be able to choose your seat in economy. Also, you can bid before a flight to get a seat with no neighbor so you can have extra room for yourself. Just another way Etihad is trying to make money. Also, you can also pay extra to buy first class pjs and have access to the Private Etihad Residence Lounge, without all of its amenities. Additionally, flying nannies are available for free to keep young children occupied on your flight.
Business
On all Airbus A319s, A320s, and A321s, Etihad features recliner seats with leg rests in business class. These aircraft are used on short-medium haul routes. As a comparison, both Qatar Airways and Emirates offer either flat bed or angle flat seats on short-medium haul routes (although on some A320s, Qatar Airways also has recliner seats). On all Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s, Etihad offers flat bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration in an all forward facing configuration. On the Airbus A380 and on the Boeing 787, Etihad offers flat bed seats in a forward and backwards facing 1-2-1 configuration, similar to Qatar Airways’ Qsuites, however without the closing doors. These seats are more modern than the ones on the 777/A330. Etihad labels business class on the A380/787 as Business Studio. I personally flew Etihad Business Class to Abu Dhabi on the 787 and A320 to Muscat in 2016, after we found a good deal on the flights. The flight was the best flight of my life (so far). Etihad had extremely personal service, great food, an extensive entertainment selection, and a luxurious seat on the 787. If I could, I would go back in time and review the flight, but unfortunately I did not take enough pictures and I do not remember enough of the flight to make an informative review. Chauffeur service is available for paying business class (not by upgrading or paying with miles) customers at select airports.
First Class
First Class on Etihad is available on select Airbus A330-300s, select Boeing 777s, select Boeing 787s, and on All Airbus A380s. On select A330s and 777s, Etihad features closed suites in a 1-2-1 all forward facing configuration. Also, on select Boeing 787-9s, Etihad features forward and rear facing closed suites in a 1-2-1 configuration in first class. On the Airbus A380, Etihad features closed suites in a 1-1 configuration with both a bed and a seat. See a more in-depth description of it above in the “what to fly” section.
The Residence
The Etihad Residence is undoubtedly the #1 best commercial travel experience in the world. Period. Not debatable. The Residence is even a step above all first classes in the world, it is just that good. There is one Residence cabin on each of Etihad’s 10 Airbus A380s. The Residence features a 3-room suite with a living room (with its own tv and two chairs), an ensuite bathroom with a shower, and a bedroom with a double bed and a tv. The Residence can fit two people in it, although many people travel in the Residence as a single traveler. Before the flight, passengers have access to a private lounge (available at most airports serving the A380) with its own butler, couch, table, and meals. On board, the passenger has a personal butler catering to the passenger’s every need and an inflight chef who can prepare dishes on request (you can request meals before the flight).
The Financial Decline of Etihad
Etihad Airways is owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi. What does that mean? Money, money, and more money. For those who don’t know, Abu Dhabi (and Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain) made a lot of money due to selling oil from the oilfields in the Middle East. Additionally, Qatar, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi all launched their own airlines which took advantage of their geographical position (Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad). Abu Dhabi, additionally to creating Etihad, decided to create Etihad Airways Partners, a group of airlines. Etihad’s general plan was to buy stock in (mostly) struggling airlines, and to make them profitable. Let’s see how their plan did, by looking at the airline’s they bought stock in:
Airberlin: Went insolvent in 2017; it does not exist anymore
Air Serbia: Unprofitable and restructuring
Air Seychelles: Cut long haul flights in 2017
Alitalia: Bankrupt and is barely surviving (with the help of the Italian government)
Etihad (itself): Unprofitable, canceled 777X orders, and is trying to nickel and dime people (like low-cost carriers) by charging for seat assignments and by allowing economy class passengers to buy access to lounges, bid for open seats next to you, and buy business class pjs.
Jet Airways: Went out of business in 2019
Virgin Australia: Huge losses in 2017
As you can see, most airlines which were partially bought by Etihad were previously unprofitable, and were not turned profitable by Etihad. This has resulted in huge losses for Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi. As a consequence, Etihad is adding additional extras everywhere, such as adding pjs, seat selection, and the Residence Lounge access to economy. Etihad knows now that it needs to turn profitable. It has done that by cutting funding to Alitalia, which is barely hanging on to life by the Italian Government. Etihad will continue to cut down on costs until it is made profitable. Stand by for updates on the state of Etihad’s financial situation on this article.
Have you ever flown on Etihad Airways? Share about your experience below!
