Etihad Airways is a national airline based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, operating routes to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, the Indian subcontinent and North America. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad Airways is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization.

Etihad Airways Diamond First Class Wins at Skytrax Awards 2012: Best First Class in the World

Etihad Airways has landed all three First Class titles at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards 2012. The hat-trick of awards picked up by the Abu Dhabi-based airline are:

• Best First Class
• Best First Class Seats
• Best First Class Catering

Etihad Airways has now won the Best First Class title for three consecutive years. The First Class accolades follow the airline’s previous successes in the Skytrax Best Business Class awards which confirms the airline’s leading premium product position. 

The prestigious awards, one of the leading rankings and benchmarks in the airline industry, were presented at the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony held on 12 July, at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK. 

In recent years, the airline has won Skytrax awards for its onboard Food and Beverage Managers in Business Class; for its Poltrona Frau luxury leather First Class seat; and now, following the introduction of onboard First Class Chefs, it has won all three First Class award categories.

The Skytrax World Airline award winners come from the votes and findings of a 10-month survey of approximately 18 million air travellers from more than 100 countries.

Etihad Airways received praise at the Skytrax 2012 awards for offering a five-star, restaurant-style service in its Diamond First Class cabins. This has been achieved through the introduction of a personal Onboard Chef who prepares dishes based on a passenger’s individual taste and preference.

The First Class Chefs complement Etihad Airways’ Food and Beverage Managers, who are dedicated to service in the airline’s Pearl Business Class cabin. The Chefs and Food and Beverage Managers are recruited globally from top-rated hotels and restaurants and drive the airline’s multi award-winning Inspired Service onboard program.

Supporting Etihad Airways’ goal to offer its customers the freshest, healthiest and tastiest in-flight cuisine, the airline has recently started serving its own produce from Abu Dhabi Organics Farms as part of its Diamond First Class Mezoon Grille menu. 

Etihad is officially the World's Best Airline, for the third year running in 2011

Every day Etihad aims to deliver the best possible flying experience to all their Guests and now they have been recognised for their efforts having been voted the World's Leading Airline, World’s Leading First Class and World's Leading Airline to Middle East at the 2011 World Travel Awards. 

These three awards cap an extraordinary 12 months for Etihad Airways. In 2011 they launched seven new international routes, moved into operating profitability and entered into a strategic partnership with airberlin, which now enables them to offer customers a combined network of 239 destinations across 77 countries. 

Voted on by more than 213,000 travel industry professionals from around 160 countries, these awards serves testimony to Etihad's quality of service, product innovation, customer relations, creativity and business acumen. 

History

Etihad Airline was established in 2003 and started operations on November 13, 2003. It is wholly owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways has been rated four star by Skytrax. In December 2004 it won the 'World's Leading New Airline Award' at the 11th World Travel Awards in Barbados.Etihad Airways is a national airline based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, operating routes to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, the Indian subcontinent and North America. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad Airways is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization.

Intercontinental Fleet

• 67 Aircraft (A319-100, A320-200, A330-200, A330-300, A340-500, A340-600, B777-300ER)
• More than 100 aircraft currently on order
• Average age: just over 4 years

Accolades:

•  World’s Leading Airline - 2009 World Travel Awards (WTA)
•  World’s Leading First Class - 2009 World Travel Awards (WTA)
•  Best Business Class catering - 2009 Skytrax Awards
•  Best Business Class - 2009 Skytrax Awards
•  World’s Best First Class - 2010 Skytrax Awards
•  Best First Class Airline Seat - 2010 Skytrax Awards
•  Best First Class Onboard Catering - 2010 Skytrax Awards
• World's Leading Airline  - 2011 World Travel Awards
• World’s Leading First Class  - 2011 World Travel Awards
• World's Leading Airline to Middle East - 2011 World Travel Awards
• Best First Class - Skytrax Awards 2012
• Best First Class Seats  - Skytrax Awards 2012
• Best First Class Catering  - Skytrax Awards 2012

Here are some of the features that you can expect onboard the world’s best airline:

• Award winning cuisine
• Some of the largest screens in the sky
• Over 600 hours of world class entertainment
• More leg room than ever before
• A private suite in the best First Class cabin

Key Destinations

•  Abu Dhabi (AUH)
•  London (LHR)
•  Paris (CDG)
•  Athens (ATH)
•  Beirut (BEY)

Abu Dhabi Stopover Accommodation

Emirates Palace
Located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the magnificent Emirates Palace is a national landmark and one of the most impressive hotels and conference venues ever built.

Other Accommodation

Abu Dhabi Hotel Search

Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer

Complimentary chauffeur transfer for Etihad's first and business class travellers or book online transfer between Abu Dhabi hotel and airport.

Things to Do in Abu Dhabi

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
The much anticipated theme park, and the first attraction of its kind in the Middle East, has already captured the imagination of thousands around the globe with a range of unique and thrilling attractions including Formula Rossa, one of the world’s fastest roller coasters, and Speed of Magic, the region’s first four dimensional fantasy ride.

For more things to do and see in Abu Dhabi, book online Abu Dhabi tours & sightseeing

Dubai Stopover Accommodation

Etihad offers complimentary chauffeur transfer from Abu Dhabi airport to Dubai (transfer time approx 45min)

World's First Armani Hotel Opening on 24Apr2010, Armani  Hotel Dubai marks the official debut of world famous fashion designer Giorgio Armani in the world of hospitality.

Atlantis the Palm,Dubai
Atlantis Palm Dubai offers fantastic family holiday experience!

Burj Al Arab - The 7 star hotel in Dubai
Acknowledged as the best hotel in the world, 7 Star luxury and service!

One&Only The Palm Dubai Welcomes First Guests
Nestled on a secluded peninsula on The Palm, the resort acts as a private enclave for guests to enjoy spectacular views of the city skyline. The Private Spa invites you unwind in nine individual Spa Suites with private outdoor patios.

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is a truly luxurious beachside resort located on the west crescent of the iconic Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Delivering unrivalled luxury with an imperial touch to the 405 rooms and suites culturally-inspired destination.

Other Accommodation

Dubai Hotel Search

Dubai Airport Transfer

Book online transfer between Dubai hotel and airport or book limo transfer with our specialists.

Things to Do in Dubai

Book online Dubai tours & sightseeing

About Ramadan

UAE’s most important religious festival of the year is Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. The precise dates are determined by the lunar calendar and by religious experts in Saudi Arabia who view the moon several nights in advance to confirm the official start date.

This year Ramadan is predicted to start on 10th August and finish on 10th September.

During Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the first verses of the Holy Quran, abstain from food, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset, and then break their fast with family, with a traditional feast called iftar.

Throughout Ramadan, hotels across Abu Dhabi host nightly, delicious iftar banquets for guests and non-guests. These highly social meals are the ideal opportunity for your clients to experience the tantalising array of exotic flavours that Abu Dhabi has on offer.

Visitors to Abu Dhabi during Ramadan are expected to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in public places during daylight hours.

It is also worth noting that shops close from 1.00pm until after iftar, and then stay open until the early hours.

While You Fly

	Diamond First Class	Pearl Business Class (flat bed)	Pearl Business Class (seat)
	Individual suites, higher levels of comfort and more personal space than ever before... More details	Enjoy the World’s Best Business Class as voted by Skytrax, with a superbly equipped flat bed... More details	Discover a style and space like no other, in the World’s Best Business Class... More details
Availability	A340-500s, A330-200s, B777s and certain A340-600s	Wide-bodied aircraft: A340-500, A340-600, A330-200 and B777s	Narrow-bodied aircraft: A319 and A320s
Etihad Chauffeur	At more than 24 destinations worldwide	At more than 24 destinations worldwide	At more than 24 destinations worldwide
Lounge access	Worldwide Lounges	Worldwide Lounges	Worldwide Lounges
The seat	207cm (6’8") flat bed Private suite with direct aisle access, personal mini-bar and wardrobe	A privacy shell, 6 ft 1 inch full flat bed and direct aisle access from every seat	Relax in a spacious seat with 49 inch pitch and generous recline
Configuration	1 - 2 - 1	1 - 2 - 1	2 - 2
Inspired dining	• Your own Food and Beverage Manager. • A la carte or ‘Kitchen Anytime’ options. • Five star dining with fine wines.	• Your own Food and Beverage Manager. • A la carte or ‘Kitchen Anytime’ options. • Five star dining with fine wines.	• Your own Food and Beverage Manager. • A la carte or ‘Kitchen Anytime’ options. • Five star dining with fine wines.
Personal E-BOX system with 600 hours of on-demand entertainment	• 23 inch, cinematic widescreen • Noise canceling headsets	• 15 inch screen • Noise canceling headsets	• 10.7 inch screen • Noise canceling headsets
Connectivity	• In-seat power sockets • iPod/audio/ethernet connectivity	• In-seat power sockets • Audio/ethernet connectivity	• In-seat power sockets • Audio/ethernet connectivity
Internet availability	Currently available on three A330-300 aircraft and two A320s	Currently available on three A330-300 aircraft and two A320s	Currently available on three A330-300 aircraft and two A320s
Extra features	• Changing Room • Sliding doors for complete privacy • Upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather • Dine with another guest • Personal mini-bar • Personal wardrobe • Inbuilt massage • Cotton sheets, cosy blankets, full-sized pillows and sleeper suit	• Inbuilt massage • Luxury blankets and pillows • Mood lighting to ease jet lag	• Luxury blankets and pillows • Mood lighting to ease jet lag
Major awards	• World’s Best First Class - Skytrax awards 2011 • Best First Class Catering - Skytrax awards 2011 • Middle East's Leading Airline First Class - World Travel Awards Middle East 2011	• Business Traveler magazine Best business class - Skytrax awards 2009 • Best business class service - Business Traveler USA	• Best Business Class - Business Traveller Middle East awards 2009
Reviews	The amazing thing about this new first class, other than the fact that it comes only three years after the last first class was introduced, is how it had improved on an already outstanding product. Business Traveller, UK	Delightful. The menu is varied and served on-demand. The design of the self-contained chairs makes it feel like you are the only person on the flight. Business Traveller Africa	From door to door, Etihad Airways offers an impressively strong business class experience which certainly lives up to the hype. AME Info

Etihad Chauffeur

Etihad Chauffeur, the premium limousine service, creates a unique door-to-door experience for Diamond First and Pearl Business guests.

Important Changes From 01May12
From 01May12, an adjustment will be made to the terms of Etihad Chauffeur, Etihad's premium transfer service that carries you door-to-door every time you fly Etihad in Diamond First or Pearl Business Class.

Etihad Guest Gold Elite, Gold and Silver members will continue to enjoy a personal chauffeur on all legs of their Diamond First Class or Pearl Business Class journey. This means up to eight chauffeur-driven transfers to and from the airport, when booking a return flight that includes stopovers in Abu Dhabi.

From 01May12, guests who have yet to attain Etihad Guest Silver status, or are not members of our Etihad Guest frequent flyer programme, can only book a total of two (2) one-way chauffeur-driven transfers when flying in Pearl Business Class. In instances where multiple guests are booked, each guest will retain their two (2) one-way chauffeur journeys: for example, two guests travelling together will have access to four (4) one-way chauffeur journeys in total. 

This adjustment applies to all applicable Pearl Business Class fares, and is effective for the following:

• New tickets issued from 01May12
• Existing tickets re-issued from 01May12

Chauffeur services offering to all Diamond First Class guests will remain unchanged.

The good news is that attaining Etihad Guest Silver status is easy. You simply need to accrue 25,000 Etihad Guest Tier miles to earn Silver membership, and then accrue 20,000 Tier miles per year to maintain this status – this is possible by simply taking one Pearl Business Class return journey between Sydney and Paris, Frankfurt or London. It’s just one of the many benefits and privileges that make being an Etihad Guest Gold Elite, Gold or Silver member especially rewarding.

*Terms and Conditions apply

Seat Configuration

• 1-2-1 or 2-2

Luggage Allowance

• 40kg total checked luggage
• 2 pieces carry-on luggage - the combined weight of both pieces must not exceed 12kg

Dining

• Dine anytime on a delicious menu of modern cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs
• Fine wine and a wide range of beverages
• Personal attention of Food & Beverage Managers

Entertainment

• 38cm (15") personal TV screen
• Audio/video on demand
• 600 hours of world-class entertainment

Clubs & Lounges

• Etihad Pearl Business Class Lounges in Abu Dhabi, London, Frankfurt, Dublin & Manchester
• Library, 24-hour gourmet banquet dining, W i-Fi, five-star Six Senses Spa

Extras

• PC/phone power ports
• USB ports
• Mood lighting system
• Amenities including Korres Athens natural skincare products