With the oneworld shackles finally off, we’ve been taking full advantage and trying airlines we’d never normally book. Usually it’s all about chasing the best oneworld deal, more often than not ending up on Qatar Airways. This time, we did something different and booked Etihad Airways for a celebratory trip. This Etihad 787 Business Class review from Kuala Lumpur to Abu Dhabi was the return leg, and for once we chose the centre seats so we could sit together. Normally it’s straight to the window for the views, but on a night flight, this felt like the better call.
In this review
Flight Details
Flight No: EY0487
From/To: Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Abu Dhabi (AUH)
Departure time: 21:40
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 6 hours 45 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 5,250 Etihad Guest miles
Aircraft type: Boeing 787-9
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 28
Seats: 5E and 5F
Position: Centre pair, aisle access both sides
Airport Experience
Etihad doesn’t run its own lounge at KLIA, so Business Class passengers are sent to the Global Lounge. Expectations were low. It turned out to be one of the better third-party lounges we’ve used. It looks smart, feels properly thought through, and more importantly, it works. Good seating, plenty of space, and unusually quiet for a busy Southeast Asian hub. The hot food selection had real variety and was consistently topped up and everything done well. Soft drinks, juices, and a decent wine selection covered the basics. If Etihad had put their branding on the door, you probably wouldn’t question it.
Boarding & Welcome
We arrived at the gate for final call, so there was no hanging around. Business Class had its own jet bridge lane, and once onboard, things moved quickly. Cold towels appeared almost immediately, followed by champagne. No over-the-top introductions like you sometimes get on Qatar Airways, but the welcome was warm and efficient.
Before pushback, the crew came through to take proper dinner preferences. Eat now or sleep, wake-up call or not. It sounds simple, but that conversation shaped the entire service. On a late departure like this, it makes a difference.
Seat
Seats 5E and 5F are the centre pair in Etihad’s 1-2-1 staggered layout, both with direct aisle access. The important detail here is how the rows alternate. Odd-numbered rows, like row 5, are forward-facing seats where the centre pair sit closer together, away from the aisles. Even-numbered rows are the opposite, with seats positioned closer to the aisle and further apart from each other.
That makes a big difference depending on how you’re travelling. With the divider down, row 5 works really well for couples. You’re close enough to actually talk without leaning halfway across the cabin, and it feels more like a shared space rather than two separate seats.
Raise the divider and it’s a different story. It doesn’t fully block the person next to you, so if you’re travelling solo, this isn’t the most private option.
The bed goes fully flat, it’s comfortable enough but not especially wide. The bigger issue with row 5 is location. You’re right by the toilets, and there were moments during the flight where that became noticeable. Not ideal on a night flight.
Storage is adequate, power is within easy reach, but overall the seat is starting to show its age. With newer cabins coming into the fleet, this one is beginning to feel behind the curve.
One small but real annoyance, if you’re watching different films with the divider down, it’s surprisingly distracting. We ended up syncing what we were watching just to avoid it.
Which is the best seat on Etihad 787 Business Class?
For couples who actually want to talk and eat together, the centre seats work well. You’re close enough that it feels shared rather than separate.
If you’re travelling solo, go for even-numbered window seats, ideally rows 6 or 8. These are the backward-facing seats tucked right up against the fuselage, with better window alignment and noticeably more privacy. Skip row 5 entirely unless you fancy being next to the toilets.
See the seating plan on AeroLOPA.
Onboard Experience
Within minutes of settling in, the audio jack at my seat started crackling. No sound in one ear. The crew couldn’t fix it, but immediately offered a WiFi code instead. Good recovery. This is exactly why I always carry Bluetooth headphones and an AirFly Pro.
The amenity kit came stocked with ESPA products and the usual essentials. The same ESPA range was in the lavatories too, which at least kept things consistent across the onboard premium feel.
One of the two Business Class toilets was also out of service for the entire flight. That left 28 passengers sharing one, with a flush that had a mind of its own. It’s becoming a pattern. Every recent Etihad flight we’ve taken has had something slightly off with the hardware. Nothing catastrophic, but it adds up.
Food & Drink
Dinner started about an hour after takeoff, which felt right for a 21:40 departure. Champagne was Taittinger. The wine list was decent, nothing you’d go out of your way for.
The soup was heavily over-seasoned, borderline salty. The Malaysian curry wasn’t what it promised, tasting closer to sweet and sour chicken than anything you’d expect. What stood out wasn’t the food, it was how it was served.
Every course was synchronised between the two of us. The crew checked we were both ready before moving on, asked about drinks together, and paced everything properly. It sounds like a small detail, but it makes a difference. Even Qatar Airways doesn’t always get this right. It felt more like a restaurant than a plane, and it lifted what was otherwise a pretty average meal.
In-flight Entertainment
The IFE library feels dated, nothing that really pulls you in. I gave up browsing after ten minutes. A lot of the films go back to around 2010, and there’s not much that feels current. The screen itself is fine, responsive and good quality. WiFi worked well for messaging and browsing. Good hardware, weak content.
Arrival
Landing into Abu Dhabi was smooth, and disembarkation was quick. The new terminal requires transit security, but there’s a dedicated premium lane. We were through in minutes and on our way to the First Class lounge. After nearly seven hours on a night flight, a smooth arrival makes a difference. This part worked very well.
BG1 Verdict
This return leg was better than the outbound, and that came down to the crew. The synchronised dining, the way they handled issues, the overall attentiveness, it was impressive. On service alone, this edged ahead of recent Qatar Airways flights. But the hardware issue is becoming a problem. Broken audio, one toilet out of service, unreliable flush. Individually small things, but together it takes away the premium feel. The crew carried this flight. The airline needs to make sure they’re not constantly having to. Overall, this Etihad 787 Business Class review highlights a clear split between excellent service and inconsistent hardware.
BG1 Tip
If you’re flying as a pair on a night flight, this Etihad 787 Business Class review makes one thing clear, take the centre seats and go all in on the dinner service. The way the crew synchronise everything, courses, drinks, timing, turns a decent meal into something that actually feels thought through. That was the highlight of the flight.
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