As part of my role as Flights Expert, I need to meet and greet our Airline partners, and this often means jet-setting to both domestic and international destinations (it’s harder than it sounds, believe me!).
An airline conceived in Abu Dhabi, a country instilled with high stands of hospitality, Etihad consistently goes above and beyond. The multicultural crew is excellent and are more than happy to cater to my every whim, which is refreshing as I’d almost gotten used to flying low cost carriers. Not that there’s anything wrong with flying on a budget; it’s just a little more comfortable when you make that budget work harder 😉
For all classes on Etihad flights, there’s food on demand, meaning you can have your meal whenever you want it, not just when the cart travels down the aisle. Also, it’s free and there’s a fantastic variety to choose from, including vegetarian meals. As it’s a Middle Eastern airline, there are plenty of chickpea and lentil-based meals, which take the blue ribbon over rice and veg any day! And I love my Middle Eastern cuisine, so I am in heaven on Etihad.
Same goes for drinks – they’re free, unlimited and on demand. But take it from me – drinking too many wines on a plane is only a good idea if you want to sleep through the flight, and on Etihad, you’ll want to make the most of the great entertainment.
The plane itself is clean, modern and in great condition. The seats are spacious and with plenty of legroom – in all classes, not just for the big shots in the upper classes. You’ll definitely have a comfortable journey with Etihad, whether you choose to nap or kick back with a movie and a glass of wine.
You won’t be bored on Etihad. The entertainment is on demand, it’s free and there’s a large range of box office movies to choose from. None of that ‘maybe I’ll try to sleep because I’ve watched everything’ business.
A little something that people don’t often know: when you fly Etihad you get 30 kilos of luggage allowance in Economy Class, 40 kilos in Business Class and 50 kilos in First Class. If that’s not a reason to splurge at the shops, then I don’t know what is!
Another bonus is the option of a sky nanny. Exactly what it sounds like, a sky nanny is a nanny for the sky; someone who keeps an eye on your little ones if they have to fly solo. It’s the little extras that make for peace of mind.
Last but not least, joining Etihad’s Frequent Flyers program is free! So you can spend up big and earn points towards your next flight without having to pay any joining fee. Nice one, Etihad.
Helen was a guest of Etihad Airways.
Which airline is your favourite and why? Tell us in the comments below.