Airline Review: Etihad Airways Business Class Airbus A340
I’ve reviewed the Etihad Airways long haul Business Class several times before. Lately, I’ve also reviewed the new Business Class in the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380. Earlier, I’ve already reviewed the Airbus A330-200 and the Boeing 777-300ER. This review however will feature an airplane I haven’t flown before. Nevertheless, I’ll keep the review short as I’ve spoken about most the aspects in the other reviews already.
On my way back from Australia back to Munich, I decided to take the nighttime flight from Abu Dhabi.
- Airplane: Airbus A340-600
- Cabin Class: Business
- Daytime: Night
- Food: Snack / Breakfast
- Seat Pitch: 73 Inch (185 Centimeter)
- Seat Width: 20 Inch (51 Centimeter)
This one is operated by an old Airbus A340 and leaves after midnight to arrive in Germany early in the morning hours. I’ll keep this review brief and just focus on the seat (as it’s been some time that I’ve spoken about it here on traveluxblog). The other amenities will be mentioned as well, but I’ll mainly refer to my other reviews of the Etihad Airways long haul Business Class.
Seating in the Etihad Airways Business Class Airbus A340
The seats in the Etihad Airways Business Class in the Airbus A340 are very similar to those in the Airbus A330, which I’ve reviewed already. While there’s a slight difference in small aspects, the seat basically still felt the same.
Business Class of the Etihad Airways Airbus A340-600
Personally, I’d say it’s way behind the new seats on the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380. I had assigned myself a “true” window in the last row of the cabin, which felt quite private. However, there’s a serious lack of storage as you’ll basically just have one small storage area.
The other option is the ottoman, which you can’t reach when in an upright position. That said, the seat in the old Etihad Airways long haul Business Class is still quite comfortable when sitting. However, it feels a little narrow when you are trying to sleep.
The seat width is rather modest compared to modern Business Class products and the seat isn’t exactly long either (that wasn’t for me, but might be for taller people). All in all, it’s still a comfortable product if you are able to assign yourself a true window seat.
The window seats don’t feel especially spacious
The seats closer to the aisle are way to exposed for my taste, but might make you feel less “trapped” as there’s more open space and not a cocoon like the window seats. If you are travelling with someone, be sure to assign yourself one of the honeymoon seats in the middle.
The bedding (a comfortable and medium-firm pillow and a rather thick blanket) is similar in all aircrafts and is quite nice for sleeping. Yet, there’s no mattress pad or anything.
Dining in the Etihad Airways long haul Business Class
Upon boarding, I was offered a welcome drink and opted for the non-alcoholic drink, which was tasty and refreshing.
Welcome Drink
On this flight, there was the option of ordering a snack after departure, which I didn’t make use of. Yet, I took advantage of the breakfast offerings, which were served starting from two hours before landing (on a six hour flight).
Menu on my flight
There were four hot options for breakfast, which all could be ordered with any sides from the menu. I decided to have the fresh fruits and a smoothie alongside the cinnamon pancakes.
Breakfast in the Etihad Airways Business Class
While I’m not a huge breakfast person (especially not in airplanes), I found the breakfast in the Etihad Airways Business Class to be quite good.
The fruits tasted very fresh, the interesting roll served with the breakfast was sweet and nice and cinnamon pancakes were surprisingly good. One personal note: The smoothies on Etihad are great, so give them a shot!
Entertainment in the Etihad Airways Airbus A340 Business Class
The entertainment options in the Etihad Airways Business Class are plentyful. Upon boarding, I was offered a choice of international magazines and newspapers.
Maganzines offered in Business Class
There is also Wi-Fi, which I’ve already reviewed extensly on my flight in the Boeing 787. The entertainment system in the Etihad Airways Airbus A340 is a little outdated though. I loved the entertainment on the newer airplanes with large screen, a great resolution and perfect response times. The entertainment in the Etihad Airways Business Class in the Airbus A340 is everything but that.
The screen feels very old and doesn’t offer a very good resolution. Plus, the response times are horrible. The choice of movies, music and shows is great though as it is the norm for Etihad Airways.
Amenities in the Etihad Airways long haul Business Class
On this flight, I was offered the typical amenity kit, which I find quite stylish and good. More about it can be found in this review. In additon, there were decent noise-cancelling headphones waiting at my seat.
These are okay, but not good enough to cancel the noise of an Airbus A340. I’d rather recommend using your own noise-cancelling headphones if you have some.
Bottom line Etihad Airways Business Class Airbus A340
My flight in the Etihad Airways Business Class was comfortable, not more, not less. While I love the new Business Class product, I felt rather annoyed the old one. The seats are quite narrow and aren’t in the best shape anymore. The lack of storage space is a real problem and the old entertainment screens are something to be aware of as well. Every other aspect was good as usual when flying Etihad Airways Business Class. The crew was friendly, the food was good and the entertainment options decent. That was definitely one of those flights were everything was allright, but nothing was exceptional. So if you have the chance, book flights on the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380 as Etihad Airways really shines in regards to the Business Class on these aircrafts!
You want to read more flight reviews? Check out our other posts!
Anna
Moritz
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