Along with its shift to Terminal A in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, Etihad delivers a revamped flagship Business Class Lounge. Opened in November 2023, this new space spans a whopping three floors, offering all-day buffet dining, a glitzy bar, shower facilities, a gaming room and more.
In addition to Etihad’s own Business Class flyers and Etihad Guest status holders, the lounge welcomes status holders of partner airlines like Velocity Frequent Flyer – handy if you’re outbound on an Etihad Economy ticket.
So, let’s take a peek inside the new Etihad Business Class Lounge.
Lounge details and location
After clearing security and immigration in Terminal A, you’ll be deposited in the sprawling concourse. Here’s where it gets tricky.
Follow the signs pointing you in the direction of the ‘C’ and ‘D’ gates. Your path should branch off away from the flurry of duty free stores arranged around the centre of the concourse. My personal marker is a store on the left that has a corner display of my favourite regional chocolate, Patchi. That’s how I know I’ve almost arrived at the lounge.
But if you’re relying on physical signs to guide you, and not your sweet tooth, look up. At the fork, you’ll see a sign overhead ushering you to the left for the Etihad Business Class Lounge. You should see the Etihad First Class Lounge straight ahead. A short walk down the corridor on the left will land you where you need to be.
The doors to the Etihad Business Class Lounge are open 24 hours a day.
Lounge layout and seating
Occupying three levels, it’s easy to get lost inside the Etihad Business Lounge. They’ve mitigated this by providing a QR code at the front desk that, when scanned, will equip you with a PDF map of the lounge. Don’t skip this step – trust me, you’ll need it!
Direct gate boarding is available for select flights, with access to gates D43, C27 and C29 from level 5. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to catch these in action during my visit.
Level 3 is where you’ll enter and exit the lounge. As a point of note, this is the ‘ground’ level of the lounge. There’s also a level 5 and 6, but no level 4. The map will come in handy for navigating this.
My visit commences on level 3, where I find a quiet spot for a break. This is the only level of the lounge that offers sweeping tarmac views, so I sink into one of the solo armchairs next to the floor-to-ceiling window to take advantage of this. Dining tables occupy the space alongside Liwan Global Dining restaurant, with the space well-suited to a sit down meal. Families and groups will find privacy in the ornate dining booths.
Level 5 strikes the ideal balance of comfort and amenities. Here, you’ll find the bulk of couches and cushy armchairs. Single high-backed seats are also plentiful, alongside small tables with power outlets.
Undoubtedly, level 5 is the quietest of the three levels in the Etihad Business Lounge Terminal A. There’s no buffet, which automatically eliminates the clanging of utensils. It’s a level above the entrance but one below the bar area, so there’s minimal foot traffic.
All the action is reserved for level 6, which houses the Constellation Bar, a second buffet dining area, and the Roof Lounge. Despite half of this level being sectioned off for the Etihad First Class Lounge, there’s still ample seating around the dining area and in the Roof Lounge.
My top tip for visiting the Etihad Business Class Lounge
The most secluded and quietest part of the Etihad Business Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi Terminal A is the ‘East Study’ on level 5. That’s because it’s the hardest to get to. A wall separates this section from the rest of level 5 (around gate C27 on the lounge map above), so you can’t wander across to the other side. Don’t worry – I’ve got you.
Take the escalator up to level 6 and walk in the direction of the First Class Lounge until you see another escalator. It’s this escalator that will take you down to the quieter part of level 5. Given it’s a bit tricky to get here, you’re likely to find greater privacy. Note that this is the only way to access this area from the Etihad Business Class Lounge, as the other escalator from level 3 to 5 is located within the Etihad First Class Lounge entrance.
Food & beverage in Etihad Business Class Lounge, Abu Dhabi Terminal A
It’s early morning during my visit, and I’ve got a five-hour Business Class flight ahead of me, so a coffee suffices. But there’s no shortage of nibbles and drinks in the Etihad Business Class Lounge.
On the ‘ground’ floor, Liwan Global Dining operates round-the-clock with live cooking stations. The lineup of hot dishes includes breakfast favourites like baked beans and eggs cooked to your liking, as well as traditional Arabic fare. If you prefer something lighter, help yourself to the charcurterie selection, pastries, yoghurt, fruit or the salad bar. An assortment of cold juices are available, as well as soft drinks, tea and coffee.
A more casual buffet is located on the top floor of the lounge, sans the front-facing chefs. There’s some crossover with dishes found on the lower level – both hot and cold – albeit presented in a smaller space.
That’s because right next to the buffet on level 6 is the sparkling Constellations Bar. I don’t hover for too long – especially not at 8 am – but I spot an extensive selection of spirits, beer and wine. Bartenders are on hand to mix your favourite drinks, or help yourself to the EPC Champagne Blanc de Blancs at the end of the bar.
There’s no table service here, unlike in the adjacent Etihad First Class Lounge. But once I settle on a dining table with a small plate of snacks, a friendly staff member pops by to offer me a beverage. I can’t pass up an Arabic coffee, which is soon delivered to my table. The service is a nice touch, with the staff member even checking in a little later to see if I enjoyed it (I definitely did!)
In addition to the dedicated buffet areas, you’ll find plenty of refreshment stations and snack bars dotted across all levels of the lounge. It is a huge lounge, after all – it’s easy to work up an appetite just wandering through it! Help yourself to a cold drink from the fridge, a coffee from the machine, or a packaged snack.
Amenities in Etihad Business Class Lounge, Abu Dhabi Terminal A
Etihad’s flagship lounge in Abu Dhabi offers plenty of pre-flight entertainment. Level 5 is home to the Games Room, where you’ll find foosball and an air hockey table. A spacious Family Room is nearby with toys and equipment to amuse your little ones. Both of these spaces have glass windows, so you could relax on a seat in the main lounge area and still have a clear view.
You’ll need to refer to my earlier ‘tip’ about accessing the quieter part of level 5, as this is also where the Relaxation Rooms are located if you need a quick snooze between flights.
There are also two shower areas on the west and east ends of level 5, and you’ll need to show your boarding pass to gain entry. The shower suites come with everything you need to freshen up, including towels. I make good use of the shower facility during my journey from Melbourne to Istanbul. My only gripe is that the water pressure of the handheld shower head could be stronger. Though when I toggle to the rain shower, this slightly improves the pressure. Otherwise, it’s a welcome refreshment after a 14-hour flight!
Other amenities include a prayer room, a smoking area, and reading materials. Wi-Fi is available throughout the lounge, and I clock an average download speed of 20.1 Mbps, which is fine for basic tasks. A power point is usually within reach, nestled under tables or between seats. While I don’t make use of the charging facilities, I observe that some of the power sockets are ‘Type G’ – so come prepared with an adaptor just in case. USB-A sockets are also available throughout the lounge.
Lounge access options
Flying out of Abu Dhabi? Here’s how you can access the Etihad Business Class Lounge in Terminal A.
- Etihad Guest status: Etihad Guest Silver members (no guests) and Etihad Guest Gold and Platinum members (+1 guest). Etihad Guest Platinum members who have selected Lounge Access as a Custom Benefit can also access the Etihad First Class Lounge (+1 guest).
- Partner airline status: Virgin Australia Velocity Gold and Platinum members (+1 guest) before Etihad-operated and marketed flights. Elite members of other Etihad partner airlines may also be eligible – check with that airline. Velocity Platinum members can also access the Etihad First Class Lounge.
- Etihad Business Class passengers: Passengers travelling in Business Class before Etihad-operated flights.
- Paid single-entry pass: If you don’t qualify through any of the criteria above, you can also purchase a single-entry lounge pass at the door, subject to capacity. The cost to access the Etihad Business Class Lounge is as follows:
- Adult: AED490 (~AU$180) for up to 4 hours, or AED630 (~AU$254) for up to 8 hours.
- Child (aged 2-12): AED245 (~AU$99) for up to 4 hours, or AED315 (~AU$127) for up to 8 hours.
- Infant (aged 0-12): Free
- Etihad Guest miles can also be used to pay for access, though we don’t recommend this.
Redeem Velocity Points to fly with Etihad Airways, and you could visit this lounge in Abu Dhabi!
Our verdict
It’s hard to fault the new Etihad Business Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi’s Terminal A. The food and beverage offerings hit the mark, with two sprawling buffet areas to choose from. An abundance of seating makes it easy to find a quiet spot to relax, while the range of amenities has you covered if you’re feeling active.
A special mention goes out to the staff of the lounge, who evidently work hard to elevate this beyond a ‘regular’ Business Class Lounge. The front desk staff are excellent, and the high standard of service echoes throughout all my interactions in the lounge, from the food and beverage crew to the shower attendants. Admittedly, I appeared lost far too many times (even with a map in my hand) and was always helpfully pointed in the right direction by a nearby staff member – they’re never too far away in the lounge.
Virgin Australia’s partnership with Etihad adds to the appeal of this lounge, with access granted to elite Velocity Frequent Flyers when flying Etihad Economy out of Abu Dhabi.
In between flights, it’s an exceptional spot to pop in for a quick refresh and nibble. Before a flight, this lounge is worth arriving early at the airport for. And as for choosing Abu Dhabi as a transit point to visit this lounge? It’s a yes on that front, too.
Also read: The Ultimate Guide to Etihad Guest
Photography by Victoria Kyriakopoulos, who accessed the lounge when flying with Etihad Airways at Point Hacks’ expense.
Stay up to date with the latest news, reviews and guides by subscribing to Point Hacks’ email newsletter.
The only major thing I will say which is a massive oversight for brand new lounges;
– The power points are not universal, at most or all of the places they are at, so there’s no way to use devices. This is especially peculiar, given all of Etihad’s aircraft (in J) have universal outlets – so why not just put them in the lounge as well??
– The USB outlets are quite low amperage compared to what should be expected nowdays, and don’t support for example a laptop. Similarly, no USB-C anywhere – despite that having been the standard for many years now.
– Minor thing is, the toilets are probably a bit insufficient, especially level 3 when it’s more busy.