At a whopping 16½ hours, Etihad's new direct route from Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles is the longest the airline offers, flying almost as far as a plane can go non-stop around the world.
The airline is hoping strong trade connections between LA and the UAE and the wealthy clientele likely to make use of the route – as well as the sheer distance – will attract a larger share of business class passengers than other routes. As a result, they are offering 40 business class seats on this route rather than the usual 24.
But you will need to spend Dh25,000 to secure a business return seat on this flight – that’s in comparison to an economy class fare of Dh7,000 return.
Currently the route is operated by an A340 aircraft but next month the airline plans to upgrade to a Boeing 777 200 long-range aircraft.
And Etihad has been heavily promoting the new route with brand ambassador Dannii Minogue, declaring at the launch party last week that the flights were so good passengers wouldn’t want to get off.
So, what’s it like as a flying experience?
Firstly the route itself is the key attraction. To fly directly from Abu Dhabi to LA, Etihad flights actually fly over the North Pole, so on a clear day anyone with a window seat can be treated to hour after hour of breathtaking scenery of polar ice, snow-covered grey mountains and long, flat planes of ice.
For those not lucky enough to secure a window seat, the only other way to enjoy the spectacular views without disturbing fellow passengers is to peer through the bathroom window.
For the rest of those 16 hours, the entertainment options are pretty pleasant too.
Business class seats on the route can recline to a fully flat position making it easy to sleep during your time on board.
And each seat is designed with a permanent footrest, under which you can store hand luggage, leaving plenty of room to relax during the long flight.
Q&A
How easy is it to work on board Etihad’s new Abu Dhabi to LA service?
Each seat comes with a plug socket to charge a laptop or other device (although you may need to bring a northern European style converter to use it). And Etihad also provides in-flight Wi-Fi – albeit at a cost of US$11.95 for two hours or $21.95 for the entire flight.
What about the food?
As you would expect, the on-board menu is packed with delicious options to suit pretty much any palate. As soon as you board, cabin crew come around to show you a menu and take your food and drinks order. Breakfasts and snacks are available throughout the flight as well as full three- course meals.
When is it served?
Rather than waking you up at set mealtimes, Etihad staff leave it completely up to business class passengers to decide when and what you eat. Simply press the call button with your order – a very pleasant experience and ideal for those suffering jet lag. I started with a toasted breakfast bagel of cheese and roasted vegetables (breakfast is available all day on the flight). Then, at what I considered to be lunchtime, I opted for roast lamb. At what I considered to be dinnertime, I went for one of the Indian dishes ,which comprised spicy vegetable balls and a yogurt dip.
Any niggles?
Last year Etihad introduced a much hyped “flying nanny” service to long-haul flights. However, none were visible on the LA flight and the presence of young children was distinctly audible.
lbarnard@thenational.ae
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