Executive travel: More positives than negatives on hybrid flight experience from New York to Abu Dhabi

It's an Etihad flight, operated by Etihad cabin crew, yet the actual aircraft is a Jet Airways Boeing 777. So how does this partnership affect the quality of the business class service?

Etihad Airways acquired a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways for US$379 million. Adnan Abidi / Reuters

Etihad Airways passengers travelling between Abu Dhabi and New York recently may have been in for a bit of confusion upon boarding.

The airline’s second daily service to the American financial capital, in operation since March, is actually flown on a Jet Airways Boeing 777 aircraft, under a normal Etihad flight code and staffed by Etihad cabin crew, many of them wearing Jet uniforms.

From an airline that so carefully tries to cultivate an exclusive identity, this partnership might cause some consternation from Etihad's frequent business class patrons. But fear not, say the staff at the Abu Dhabi carrier's call centre, the partner's product is up to standard.

That rang mostly true on a recent flight to the Emirates from New York.

Jet’s business class seats are laid out in a “herringbone” pattern – where all seats angle inward towards the aisle. This is quite different from Etihad’s design, but by no means inferior – my seat actually felt a bit roomier in comparison when fully reclined into its bed position.

A large video screen was rigged up to display Etihad’s branded e-box content, while various power sockets, a sturdy table and places to tuck away personal items were within arm’s reach.

An Indian-centric menu looked promising, but my three-course dinner was disastrous. A very oily watercress soup was followed by an avocado chicken salad that contained no avocado. The main consisted of a selection of nearly inedible salty curries. I skipped dessert.

On the other hand, the flight offered Etihad’s usual sprawling list of hot and cold beverages, and a breakfast of omelette, pastry and smoothie was a huge improvement. The entire menu was available at any time.

Of course, the one really important metric on which to judge a flight of more than 13 hours is comfort, and in this, the hybrid “Jetihad” service presented nothing to complain about. I’m a terrible sleeper in the air, and still managed to nap away about half the journey.

It’s anyone’s guess what is to come of Etihad’s tie-up with its Indian partner, but this early cooperation in service looks promising enough.

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