Etihad Business Class Review: Worth It on the 787-9?

Etihad business class has a strong reputation, but seat selection matters more than we expected on the older 787-9 aircraft. In this review, we break down everything from check-in and lounge access to the in-flight experience and what we paid, plus the big seat mistake we wish we’d known before booking.

Quick Verdict: Is Etihad Business Class Worth It?

Yes, for long-haul routes, but aircraft and seat selection matter.

Etihad business class offers a top-tier lounge, excellent service, and a polished premium experience, but not every seat on the older 787-9 feels equally premium. Choosing the wrong seat can make a major difference in privacy and comfort.

We’d book it again for:

overnight long-haul flights
Abu Dhabi stopovers
strong award redemptions (like our booking through American Airlines)

We’d avoid:

even-row middle seats for couples expecting privacy
older configurations without checking seat maps first

We break down all the details below on the lounges, perks, seat, meals, and how much we paid in points.

What Does Etihad Business Class Include?

On the 787-9 from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi, we had the following benefits:

lounge access
priority check-in
baggage allowance
lie-flat seat
amenity kit

Note: Fares booked in The Residence, First Class, Business Deluxe, and Business Comfort may be eligible for a chauffeur in UAE and certain other locations. It never hurts to check with the airline.

How Much Did Etihad Business Class Cost?

When a cyclone in Sri Lanka forced us to divert our entire trip at the last minute, we were fortunate to trade our cancelled itinerary for a 40,000-mile American Airlines redemption each from Bangkok back to Doha through Abu Dhabi. We had a wonderful experience overall despite the last-minute stress.

Cost: 40,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles per person.
Taxes: $38 per person.
Route: Bangkok (BKK) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) on the 787-9, followed by a short hop to Doha on a smaller aircraft.

Check out all the details on SeatMaps.com

Our Biggest Seat Mistake on the Etihad 787-9

Since we booked last minute, the coveted “honeymoon” seats (odd-numbered middle rows) were already taken. We chose Seat: 6D and Seat: 6G, which are farther apart, but we figured (incorrectly) that we’d still be close enough together to chat.

The Layout: This aircraft uses a staggered 1-2-1 configuration. In the even rows in the middle, which we selected, the seats are positioned directly against the aisle and face away from each other.

The Couple Experience: We were so far apart that it didn’t feel like we were traveling together. If the middle honeymoon seats are gone, my advice is to skip the middle entirely and book two window seats (one in front of the other) so you at least get a view and more privacy.
Privacy: These even-row middle seats have no wall or console between you and the aisle. You feel every person and cart passing by, which was fine for dining but disruptive for sleep – which we desperately needed even on a day flight.

Comfy set-up, though dated and lacking privacy

Best Seats on Etihad 787-9 Business Class

For Couples: Book the odd rows in the middle (Rows 5, 7, 9, etc.) to sit side-by-side.
For Solos: Go for the even rows by the window. These seats are tucked away with the console protecting you from the aisle.

Etihad Airways seat dimensions on the 787-9: 73″ pitch, 22″ width, 180-degree recline.

Window seats in odd rows are facing the aisle while even rows are tucked away

Ground Experience: Check-In, Terminal, and Lounges

The transition from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi was seamless, thanks to the dedicated lines for premium travelers.

Bangkok (BKK): Check-in was fast with a designated fast track for Business Class. We spent our time in the Coral Lounge, which was functional and quiet, though not a destination in itself.

Abu Dhabi (AUH): The new Terminal A is spectacular. It (almost) rivals Doha in terms of luxury and efficiency.

Private Entrance: Like Qatar’s experience in Doha, Etihad has a nearly identical dedicated check-in and security area in Abu Dhabi for Business Class that drops you right into the heart of the terminal.
The Lounge: The new Etihad Business Lounge is massive. It features high ceilings, a great view of the apron, and endless food and beverage stations. It felt incredibly spacious even during a busy transit period.

How Is Etihad Business Class Food and Service?

Etihad’s business class service was polished, professional, and consistently friendly, though it felt a little more standard than our experience on Qatar Airways, where the service was noticeably more personalized and elevated.

The onboard dining was strong overall. I ordered the slow-cooked beef, and even as someone who doesn’t usually choose red meat, it’s one of my favorite things to order on a flight since it tends to stay tender at altitude. Etihad’s version was excellent.

One small disappointment came with the appetizer service. I asked if I could have two appetizers instead of a main course, which is something many airlines will accommodate in business class, especially on a longer flight. The crew politely said no, which may have been due to catering, but it definitely lacked the flexibility we experienced on Qatar.

The amenity kit was practical but not especially memorable. We received a simple light green pouch with the usual essentials.

Overall, the food and service were very good and absolutely felt premium, even if they didn’t quite reach the standout level of our Qatar Airways experience on the way to Southeast Asia.

Does Etihad Offer a Free Stopover Hotel?

One of the best perks of flying Etihad Airways is the Abu Dhabi stopover program, which can include up to two free hotel nights if you have a long enough layover. Since Abu Dhabi, UAE, was a new city and country for us, we intentionally booked the longest layover possible to turn a connection into part of the trip.

Our layover was over 24 hours, so we would have loved to use Etihad’s free hotel offer, but there’s one important catch: the stopover hotel must be booked at least three days before your flight. Because our plans changed last minute, we missed that booking window.

Instead, we used a Hyatt Free Night Certificate at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, and it worked out beautifully. The hotel is located on the West Corniche with some of the best views in the city, and it felt like a true reset before our short flight to Doha and the longer trip back to the United States.

👉 Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Review: Luxury for Less on the Corniche

Gorgeous view from our Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi room

Our Etihad Business Class Rating

If you can choose the aircraft, try to find the newer Etihad A350-1000 for the better seat. If you find yourself on the 787-9, don’t just take any seat. If the honeymoon pairs are taken, you are better off in separate window seats to get the privacy that the middle aisle seats lack. If you’re flying solo, go for an even-numbered window seat for more privacy.

Feature	L&T Smart Rating	Practical Takeaway
Booking Value	8/10	A great use of AA miles for a last-minute diversion. Direct to Doha on Qatar would’ve been preferred, but this was a great alternative.
The Seat	5/10	Old model is outdated and lacks privacy. Row 6 middle is especially exposed.
Ground Experience	10/10	Terminal A in Abu Dhabi is now a top-tier international airport.
Food Service	7/10	Beef and mezze were both good, but dining flexibility was low.
Stopover Potential	10/10	We missed the free hotel window, but our DIY stopover was still perfect.

Is Etihad Business Class Worth Booking With Points?

Yes, especially on a long-haul or overnight flight where the lie-flat seat, lounge access, and smoother airport experience make a real difference. We booked our one-way Etihad business class flight from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi for just 40,000 American Airlines points, and for us, that was absolutely worth it.

That said, seat selection matters. Our biggest mistake was choosing seats that felt much less private than we expected, which definitely changed the experience. The service, food, and overall polish still felt premium, but not every seat on the 787-9 delivers the same level of comfort.

If the points difference between economy and business is reasonable, we’d book business class again, especially for an overnight route. Just check the aircraft and seat map first, because on Etihad, the right seat can make all the difference.

2 Comments

Tamara says:

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Why does the brown interior bother me so much? Lol definitely a me issue! Thanks for sharing!

1. LiAnn and Theo says:
  
  at
  
  Hahaha! I kinda like it!