Not as expected. ETIHAD's brand new A350-1000 Business Class. A Flight Report.

Back in October 2023 I took my first ever flight aboard Etihad's new Airbus A350-1000, which is equiped with a new premium Business Class. I was very much looking forward to trying it out, and expectations were high. Overall I had a great flight experience, but now without a few drawbacks, especially when it comes to the new hard product. Details you find in my video.
#flightreview #businessclass #etihad
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Some of the equipment I have been using for this review:
My version: Insta360 GO 2: www.insta360.c...
Newer version: Insta360 GO 3: www.insta360.c...
My version: Insta360 ONE X2: www.insta360.c...
Newer version: Insta360 ONE X3: www.insta360.c...
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Often I also book my flight with Booking.com, as they many times have surprisingly good fares:
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[@forgotmypassport]

I also flew on Etihad's Boeing 787-10 in Business Class, of which I'll do a video as well. Consider subscribing to my channel, not to miss it:) #A350 #B787

[@duanebeamsley7695]

Thanks for the wonderful and Honest Review Chris. Really enjoy watching your Videos as it takes me away!!! I love Etihad Airlines and flew with them once and enjoyed the overall Service and Experience. Take Care and we look forward to your next Review. 🙂

[@forgotmypassport]

Thank you so much, very happy to hear that my reviews are enjoyed:)) I always try to review completely unbiased. Like this one, despite having flown Etihad many times, I try to see it from the eyes of someone who’s never experienced Etihad before. My next review will be a personal little highlight, where being unbiased was really important, considering the other reviews I saw on YT. Air India! But shhh… ;-)

[@danielb6766]

That seat lamp must be the most beautiful lamp of all business class products out there 😅

[@forgotmypassport]

I do like it a lot too 🤩

[@-Loki--]

09:09 I agree seeing the A380s back in service is very pleasing. For passenger comfort it is the best by far.

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Like New Business Class Cabin On The A350-1000.Great Trip Report

[@forgotmypassport]

thanks a lot. It looked nice, I just wish it was a bit more comfortable (at least compared to the B787-10, which was more comfy)

[@Planes_Games]

I love the thumbnail for this video! I think it is a lot more attractive than some of the other ones, great job!

[@forgotmypassport]

Thanks a lot for your feeding, happy to hear, as I’m constantly trying to improve:))

[@H0Simone]

Hi there, thanks for sharing your EY A350-1000 experience with us. The seat really looks cramped, something I dislike - especially on overnight flights. I have not travelled in that particular seat on EY yet but just from watching your video I would guess the Business-Class seats on TG are comfyer. However, the cabin, its colors and details (like the little lamp next to the seat) and the food of course are very appealing! 👍👍 I'm sure the desert-safari was a remarkable experience. I did that in Dubai (including a authentic BBQ in a desert-tent) some few years ago and it was an outstanding experience. Keep up with your nice reports! Greetings from Germany, Simone 🙋✈💺🍽

[@forgotmypassport]

Hi Simone, thank you very much for the comment and the very good summary of how I indeed experienced it. I agree that flying with TG earlier this year did feel more comfortable, and they would still be my preferred choice. That desert jeep tour was so much fun:)) Liebe Grüsse & again thanks a lot!

[@H0Simone]

Sehr gerne und liebe Grüße zurück! 🙋

[@DMM6]

Awesome video. Subscribed!

[@forgotmypassport]

Thank you so much :))

[@brian402]

Yes i do like your flight review, in fact i loved it., your trip reports are awesome and so well detailed too. Enjoy watching all the different airlines that you fly on around the world, your right about that seat on that Etihad A350-1000 Business Class but the crew are amazing and helpful👍✈

[@forgotmypassport]

Thank you so much for the kind words :))

[@YAy-m9g]

Great video 👍

[@forgotmypassport]

Many thanks 🙏

[@davidcole333]

I think Etihad chose a smaller seat and put a lot of them in the cabin to compensate for the generous 1-2-1 configuration. You looked like you were having a bit of a tight squeeze. For the money, I think I would look elsewhere. I enjoy your style of trip report, they are always very relaxing and informative to watch.

[@forgotmypassport]

Thank you very much for the nice comment. I’m happy my style is appreciated:)) It indeed did feel tight compared to other business classes I have flown in the last few years, eventhough design-wise it was quite nice. But at the end I‘d probably still choose comfort over appearance.

[@paulhabermacher516]

Jo gruezi 😊🙃 Great video.. This looked cramped!! But you are still lucky. Flew Abu Dhabi to Jakarta 3 weeks ago and gotten on a Wamos A320 plane. Ethihad subcontracted this route and still does until today. Worst business class experience ever. Did not enjoy the Abu Dhabi lounge. After seeing your video, I will make sure I never have to use the A350 business class. Too tight and cramped. I am 186cm tall. These foot wells are killing me. I miss my totally outdated but most comfortable old Turkish airlines business class seat. You gotta climb over others when getting out of the seat, but if you are (were) laying down, there is absolutely nothing in your way.. Wiiterhin gueti Reis 😉

[@forgotmypassport]

Merci viu mau:) I saw that Wamos going in and out if Jakarta, but didn’t know it flew for Etihad. I hope you got a good fare at least. The A350-1000 indeed had a cramped business class, but if I find a good fare, I’d still fly it again. It’s still a proper business class with great service:) And since the new terminal at AUH opened (few days after my trip), l can imagine they have an improvement Lounge experience as well, hopefully. Schöni Grüess us Chlotä.

[@paulhabermacher516]

Fair was okay. Booked it like 4 months before and got an email 3 weeks before departure that for two months Wamos is taking this route. Had the "pleasure" of flying it twice. JKT-AUH-JKT. AUH-ZRH-AUH was veeery nice with the 787-9 real Etihad .Usually flying with Turkish, but their business became a little cramped too, so I tried Etihad for the first time. Will change back to Turkish again hahaha.. Transfer time of 8 hours in the Abu Dhabi lounge is quiet long. Just subscribed and liking your videos and your Swiss accent a lot😄Gruess uus Jakarta@@forgotmypassport

[@forgotmypassport]

Thank you so much for supporting me:)) In February I‘ll be flying Turkish on long-haul for the first time, IST-HKG on their B777. Of course I‘ll do a video;-) But I saw it will be a 2-3-2 business class, quite outdated it seems. But I’m still looking forward to it, food should be amazing.

[@paulhabermacher516]

I loooove the 777 ER turkish busiiness class. That is the one I described before. Just make sure you got an aisle seat and all is fine. But you will for sure sleep. No privacy, not direct aisle access for everybody, old plane, but I loved it . Looking forward to your video.. ciao for now@@forgotmypassport

[@tokoexplore]

Thank you for your review. I took Etihad a few weeks ago and I was a bit disappointed by the inconsistent service and by the quality of the red wines though I really like their champagne. It seems that the days are gone where airlines served grand Cru wines from Bordeaux in business class for example (except for Qatar Airways ;-(

[@forgotmypassport]

It’s funny that you mentioned the Grand Cru, as I just posted a short clip about a 2006 Grand Cru from Bordeaux, served on Emirates. In First Class though ;-)

[@tokoexplore]

@@forgotmypassport Indeed, great timing. I hope you enjoyed it.

[@colinrenfrew48]

Nicely detailed video. The seat does look a little cramped, but overall the service looks good quality.

[@forgotmypassport]

Thanks a lot :)

[@travelwithmelih]

Good and honest review, nice thumbnail it’s attractive to watch this video. Cabin design is super nice but the seat was not comfortable at all.

[@forgotmypassport]

Many thanks Melih for your comment and feedback, much appreciated:)

[@michaeldorsey9176]

The seats and area do look cramped, are you a tall guy , what is your height

[@forgotmypassport]

I am a bit over average in size (1.92m), yet still fitting well into most business class seats. So I can still compare apples with apples.

[@michaelgore115]

How long in advance prior to flight did you arrived at the lounge ?

[@forgotmypassport]

About 3 or 3.5 hrs before

[@michaelgore115]

Danke ! ;)

[@forgotmypassport]

Gerne:)

[@OFCOURSE20]

how tall are you pleasE?

[@forgotmypassport]

6ft4in. In many videos I mention it, to avoid misconception. But sometimes I forget ;-)

[@OFCOURSE20]

😢thanks. ​@@forgotmypassport

[@InFltSvc]

Hello , I am new to your channel. I am a retired Flight Attendant from the US. Well I have to say, as well as my colleagues, for years that the Middle Eastern airlines really know how to fly class. They are miles ahead of American companies. In fact, our carriers are shameful. For example, this carrier, just look at the presentation of food including the china it’s on and all the little amenities they provide are just exquisite. And there club rooms on the ground are wonderful! This is why our only true leader here when he was in the seat said that we (USA) are no different than third world countries and it’s true. Our airports are shameful and our carriers are disgraceful right down to the crew the way they dress and act like slobs. Take any carrier, for example, lufthansa airlines , look how beautiful and sharp the Flight Attendants look not to mention emirates ,Cathy Pacific, and the one you’re on now in this video. It’s hard to understand what the CEO’S are thinking from US carriers but I can only surmise its greed and money to them and not all about the passengers.

[@forgotmypassport]

Thank you for your kind and interesting comment, much appreciated:) I noticed it’s not only the premium booking classes that differ so much between the US/ Western Europe and the ME/Asia, but also the low cost carriers. I‘ll review a few of them in February, it’s going to be interesting:)

[@Jessicafull1345]

I love etihad business .. actually have tomorrow dublin to bangkok ... you look like a very tall large man lol, maybe reasons for uncomfortable.. im 6ft2 and was just about right for me .. any taller maybe not

[@forgotmypassport]

Enjoy your flight with Etihad:) I am pretty tall indeed, however I’m comparing business classes of a number of different airlines, and most of the time I fit in just fine, despite my size. Therefore I was a bit disappointed when Etihad wasn’t one of them, although being such a premium airline. On the other hand, on their B787-10 I fit in perfectly well:)

[@apartmentswales]

Thank you for opening my eyes to a world of Crap Business Class which seems more like Coach and Etihad, which for all appearances seems to be going in the right direction, shame I will not be flying with them as I really need a comfortable nights sleep ! Mr Spence Eng

[@forgotmypassport]

I was also flying on Etihad’s B787 which I found much more comfortable (different seats), so I wouldn’t generalize it. Flight review of my B787 Business Class experience I will publish soon as well.

[@apartmentswales]

Maybe you are right, but my luck is that I would end up on a plane with the crap seats Mr Spence Eng