This flight marked a little shift in how we approached premium travel. Temporarily free from the pull of oneworld Tier Points and British Airways loyalty maths, we were trying different airlines without worrying about status. Flying Etihad Airways 787 Business Class felt like part of that reset. After years of flying shaped largely by Middle Eastern carriers like Qatar Airways, there was genuine excitement in experiencing something new.
The route had been planned around trying the A380 Apartments on the first leg, leaving this sector as an interesting counterpoint rather than the main event. It was also my first time flying with Etihad Airways, an airline I’ve heard great things about but never prioritised thanks to years of status driven decision making.
The question was simple: how did Etihad’s Business Class compare, especially when experienced straight after one of the most talked about First Class cabins in the sky?
In this review
Flight Details
Flight No: 29 January 2026
From/To: Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Departure time: 7:35 am
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 6 hours 52 minutes
Guest miles: 5,250
Tier Miles: 5,250
Aircraft: ETD7LE
Aircraft type: Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 36
Seat: 8A (and my partner was in 6A)
Position: Left hand side of the plane
Airport Experience
This was our first time transiting through Abu Dhabi airport and first impressions were genuinely strong. The terminal felt modern, calm, and still had that slightly new airport sheen, which made even a rushed connection feel less stressful than expected. It was less chaotic than Dubai and smaller than Doha – making it a good airport to transit through. What stood out immediately was the abundance of electric buggies circulating through the terminal. With our very short connection time (~45 minutes), those buggies were super helpful. We didn’t get to try any of the lounges as once we got through security, the flight was already on final call. But we had a 7 hour layover at the airport on the way back, so a full review will follow. As we were one of the last to board, we walked straight from the gate to the plane.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding was nearly complete when we reached the gate, think we may actually have been the last passengers to board. Despite sitting down around twenty minutes before departure, a pre departure drink was offered, though the overall tone remained fairly functional. The crew were friendly enough once we were seated, polite and efficient without being especially warm. Having flown extensively with Qatar Airways in the past, it was difficult not to make comparisons. Qatar still held the edge when it came to polish at boarding.
Seat
The Business Studio seat onboard the 787 immediately felt familiar, both in a good and slightly dated way. Upholstery was firmer than expected, with a texture that felt a little scratchy, particularly noticeable when settling in without a mattress topper. The seat was clean and well presented, with the mattress and bedding already on the seat, power within easy reach, and a good amount of storage in and around the seat.
The cabin featured a mix of forward and rear facing seats, which subtly changed how the space felt depending on where you were sitting. Forward facing seats felt more natural and slightly more open, particularly at the window, while the rear facing seats offered the same footprint but felt a touch more enclosed.
The lack of a door was noticeable. In a world shaped by QSuites, Club Suites and others, the open design felt slightly exposed, though this was very much a product of shifting expectations rather than poor design. The cabin also felt tighter than usual, though that was likely amplified by having just stepped off the Apartments on the A380. Context matters, and this was always going to be a tough act to follow.
Which is the best seat on Etihad 787 Business Class?
Seat selection is critical on this 787 Dreamliner, far more than many passengers might expect. The standout seats were rows 6 and 8, particularly the forward facing window seats. These positions offered the best balance of privacy, space, and crucially, access to three proper windows. On a Dreamliner, that alone can transform the experience. Seats in row 5 was uncomfortably close to the toilets.
Bulkhead seats and those toward the back often suffered from reduced window access, sometimes limited to a single window or none at all. There are no windows in row 9. The passenger seated behind me spent a good portion of the flight peering through a small gap simply to catch a glimpse of the outside world, which felt less than ideal on a daytime sector.
Checking the seat map in advance was essential. Tools like AeroLOPA were invaluable in understanding exactly what you were booking. On this aircraft and choosing poorly could materially change how enjoyable the flight felt.
See the seating plan on AeroLOPA.
Onboard Experience
Once airborne, the onboard experience settled into a steady, slightly utilitarian rhythm. Service was efficient and focused on getting through the core elements rather than adding flair. Everything worked, but little stood out. Having flown extensively with Qatar Airways in the past, the comparison again leaned in Qatar’s favour when it came to warmth and engagement.
The amenity kit was a particular disappointment though. The pouch itself was extremely small and not especially practical, which was a shame given how many travellers reuse these items post flight. It felt more like a token inclusion than something thoughtfully designed. This stood in contrast to older Etihad kits, which had once been more generous and reusable.
Overall, Etihad Airways 787 Business Class delivered a functional onboard experience. Nothing went wrong, but very little surprised. For a daytime flight of just under seven hours, that was probably sufficient, though it lacked the sense of occasion that some competitors manage to maintain even on shorter sectors.
Food & Drink
Dining was unhurried but slightly oddly timed. Orders were taken after take off, with the main course arriving close to two hours into the flight. On a daytime sector, this felt acceptable, though it did create a slightly long gap before the first proper service.
Menu choices were reasonable and the food was delicious. I opted for the fish sambal, which had good flavour but was on the dry side. Presentation was good. My partner opted for a salmon starter and chicken main, both were very good. The wine list is solid, with a selection that would satisfy most pallets – offering a choice of three reds and three whites. They also served champagne, a port and desert wine.
Service during the meal was polite and efficient, with plates cleared promptly and without fuss. It did the job, but again lacked that extra layer of engagement that can elevate an otherwise straightforward meal. For Etihad Airways 787 Business Class, catering felt competent and enjoyable enough. As I was quite tired from the previous flight, I opted to skip breakfast and only had one course on this flight. If you wanted, all-day dining was available serving mainly breakfast options.
In-flight Entertainment
The inflight entertainment system felt dated in content. Scrolling through the film selection revealed plenty of titles, yet very little that felt genuinely compelling. It was one of those libraries where quantity existed without quality truly shining through.
After a brief browse, I abandoned the search entirely and opted to rest instead. For passengers keen to watch something, there was enough on offer to fill the time, but it lacked the sense of curation seen on stronger platforms. The large screen itself was clear and responsive, though the content available didn’t encourage you to watch on. That in itself said plenty. Etihad Airways 787 Business Class provided the tools, but not the temptation, which made sleep the more appealing option. You could purchase Wi-Fi on the flight for $9.99.
Arrival
Arrival into Kuala Lumpur was smooth and efficient. We disembarked promptly and were among the first to reach baggage reclaim, with luggage appearing quickly on the carousel. With the tight connection at AUH, we were slightly apprehensive about our bags arriving, but it did, and one of first bags that appeared. This mattered more than usual given we had another the tight onward connection from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.
With two separate bookings, we had 90 minutes to collect bags and recheck for the next flight. Thanks to the efficient arrival process, we managed to complete check in again with around 55 minutes to spare, which felt like a small victory given the potential for chaos.
Everything worked as it needed to, with no unnecessary delays or complications. After a day that had already included multiple cabins and a tight transfer, a calm arrival was very welcome.
BG1 Verdict
This is the first time flying Etihad as we’re not driven by BA Club Tier Points to make our airline choices. Etihad delivered a solid Business Class experience that still worked well. The seat remained comfortable enough, the service professional, and the overall experience reliable. Where it fell short was in emotional pull. There was little here that surprised or delighted, but overall still a fantastic product. Soft product elements were good rather than great.
Etihad Business Class is something we would happily fly again if the price and routing made sense, and think the experience can be made by the crew on board. I’m saying that, the return journey, the crew were exceptional. Sitting in the middle row as a pair created a new experience, which we will review in a separate blog.
BG1 Tip
Seat choice matters more than you might expect. Some seats had three windows (forward facing seats in rows 6 and 8 were the best, in our opinion), others had none at all, and the difference was stark. Always check a detailed seat map before booking. On this aircraft, a window seat did not automatically mean a view, and choosing carefully could be the difference between a pleasant flight and quietly envying your neighbour’s scenery.
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