Etihad Debuts Flagship First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport

Etihad Opens First Class LoungeEtihad Airways has announced the opening of its flagship First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 3.

The lounge has 16 different zones designed for guests to relax, re-energize and be entertained before boarding their flight. An à la carte restaurant, showcase bar, fitness room, cigar lounge, Six Senses Spa, Style & Shave barber, nail bar, TV room, relaxation room, prayer room and children’s play room are part of the new space. 

With more than 18,000 square feet of multi-use space, the new facility offers views of the airport and is open 24/7 for guests of The Residence, Etihad First Class, Etihad Guest Exclusive, Etihad Guest Platinum members (plus one guest), Etihad Airways Partner (EAP) airline First Class guests, EAP ‘Invitation only’ members (plus two guests) and EAP equivalent Platinum members (plus one guest). In addition, guests of The Residence have access to their own private area situated adjacent to the main lounge entrance. The space has a Savoy-trained Butler, custom-made Poltrona Frau Italian leather armchairs and sofas, a private shower room stocked with Acqua di Parma products, a prayer room, and additional private dining options. 

At the First Class Lounge & Spa, travelers will be attended to by trained staff. The lounge also has a general manager, concierge, maître d’hotel, Savoy-trained butlers, chefs and mixologists.

The executive chef at the lounge has years of experience from his time with leading hotel brands including Ritz Carlton, Shangri-La, and Intercontinental. A team of sous chefs, demi chefs, and chef de partie accompany him in creating dishes which are served in the à la carte dining area. Menus are changed frequently and feature a choice of Arabian, Indian and international cuisine made to order throughout the day. Guests will also be able to sample a five-course Emirati tasting menu, developed by chefs from Mezlai at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. A casual dining and bar snack menu is also available.

The new lounge also has a sculptural showcase bar, which is now a feature of Etihad Airways’ new collection of global lounges, including the recently opened locations in New York and Melbourne. For the lounge in Abu Dhabi International Aiport's Terminal 3, a cocktail menu has been specially developed in partnership with leading London-based beverage consultancy Fluid Movement. The signature mocktail drink, the “Abu Dhabi”, uses Middle-Eastern flavors including cold brew coffee infused with cardamom and sprayed with rose water. All mocktails and cocktails included on the menu have been named after Etihad’s leading destinations such as New York, Melbourne, Shanghai, Paris, Mumbai, Sydney and London. There is also a cigar lounge, offering a choice of nine brands including Hoyo de Monterray, Cohiba, Bolivar, Montecristo, Arturo Fuente and Romeo Y Julieta from its own humidor. Each has been matched with a number of whiskies and cognacs.

The Six Senses Spa comprises three treatment rooms with shower facilities. First Class guests can enjoy a complimentary treatment, while guests staying at The Residence are offered two complimentary treatments. There is also a Relax & Recline area with a large video wall made up of 27 individual screens, relaxing sounds and lighting, and Poltona Frau leather recliners. The fitness room is equipped withTechnogym treadmills and cross trainers, as well as male and female washrooms and showers.

The Style & Shave area has staffed barbers offering a series of hair and shave services, including one complimentary express treatment and a shoe shine service, while the nail bar provides one complimentary express treatment.

First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 3 is part of the airline’s expanding collection of 14 Premium Lounges including those recently launched in New York and Melbourne in addition to Premium Lounges in Abu Dhabi (Terminals 1 and 3), Frankfurt, London, Manchester, Dublin, Paris, Washington DC, and Sydney. At Abu Dhabi Airport, Etihad Airways also operates a dedicated Premium Lounge within the unique US Preclearance facility, and a Premium Arrivals Lounge. A new First and Business Class Lounge at Los Angeles LAX airport is scheduled to open in the coming months.