Etihad A350 Business Class Review – Awesome Value for Money

Etihad’s Business Class on the A350 is one of the best ways to fly between the US and the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, and East Asia. On the Etihad A350 Business Class, you get a great seat, your own cabin, all you can eat food, and direct access to the aisle.

The cabin is quiet and stylish, service is friendly and professional. Food is served when you want it, and the menu has real variety. If you want comfort, quiet, and control on an ultra long-haul route (some of Etihad’s routes are over 12 hours), Etihad A350 Business Class checks every box. If you’re booking with points, it’s one of the best redemptions in the region—especially through AAdvantage. From check-in to landing, Etihad offers a consistent, comfortable, and friendly experience.

For a cost analysis and see our rating, see the end of this post.

Booking

You can book Etihad Business Class using American Airlines AAdvantage miles. This flight from Chicago to Abu Dhabi cost 70,000 miles plus about $50 in taxes and fees. That’s a strong deal, especially since the cash price can be over $3,000 one way.

Award space can be hard to find, but it often opens up a few weeks before the flight. If you’re flexible with your dates, you have a better chance. You don’t need to fly through a partner hub. Etihad flies direct between major US cities and Abu Dhabi.

You can also book Etihad Business Class through other airline programs. American AAdvantage is the most common, but not the only option. You can also use:

• Citi ThankYou Points and American Express Membership Rewards can transfer to some of these programs, like Aeroplan and Etihad Guest.
• Air Canada Aeroplan: About 85,000 points one way, depending on distance.
• ANA Mileage Club: Great value, but round-trip only. Etihad Business Class from the U.S. to the Middle East using ANA Mileage Club miles, you’ll need around 104,000 miles round-trip. ANA’s partner award chart is zone-based and does not vary by season, and Etihad falls into the Middle East zone
• Etihad Guest: Etihad’s own program, but award rates can be high unless there’s a sale. Usually it’s approximately 110,000 miles one-way.

For many travelers, this is one of the best ways to use AAdvantage miles.

Check-in and Boarding

Etihad offers a separate check-in counter for Business Class passengers. The line is short, and agents handle bags and boarding passes quickly. Bags are tagged with priority labels, and the process usually takes less than 10 minutes.

Security and Check-in at ORD can be busy, even with premium access. There is no dedicated fast track for Etihad, but TSA PreCheck is available if you qualify. On this particular day, things were empty. Once past security, you can head to the SAS lounge, which Etihad uses for Business Class travelers. You can also use other lounges based on your various lounge memberships such as Amex Centurion Membership or Priority Pass.

If you are flying in the evening, expect the lounge to be busy, especially with other partner airlines using the space.

Etihad A350 Boarding

Boarding usually begins about an hour before departure. At JFK, Etihad uses separate lanes for Business Class and Economy, which helps keep things organized. Gate agents clearly call each group, and Business Class passengers board early.

Once onboard, a flight attendant greets you and shows you to your seat. You’re offered a welcome drink—choices include water, orange juice, or champagne—and a warm towel. The menu is also handed out at this time. They also offered a pre-flight snack, which was wonderful.

The boarding process on this flight is smooth and well managed. The crew stayed in control, and the cabin felt calm even as the plane filled up. Lights were dimmed shortly after boarding to help set a relaxed mood.

Etihad A350 Business Class Cabin

Etihad’s A350-1000 Business Class cabin uses a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access for every seat. The seats are arranged in a staggered pattern, which adds privacy and space. The cabin is divided into two sections—a larger forward cabin and a smaller, quieter mini-cabin behind the galley.

The A350 cabin feels fresh and modern. The design uses soft lighting and warm tones—brown, beige, and bronze—along with geometric patterns that match Etihad’s brand. The space feels calm and upscale without trying too hard.

Seats

Each seat transforms into a fully flat bed, over six feet long. The padding is firm but comfortable. You get a large side table for drinks, snacks, or a laptop. Storage is practical: a deep side bin, a footwell for shoes or a bag, and a literature pocket. Seat controls are simple and responsive, with one-touch options for upright, recline, and bed mode.

Middle seats include a sliding privacy divider. Window seats feel more private, especially in the smaller rear cabin. The seat feels like a small personal space—ideal for long flights where sleep and quiet matter.

Each seat has a reading light, USB-A and USB-C ports, wireless charging, and a universal power outlet. Waiting at your seat is a full-size pillow and a soft, thick blanket.

Etihad Business Class Amenity Kit

Once you’re seated, you’ll find a stylish amenity kit waiting for you. The zip-up case is made from soft leather and comes in different colors. It’s compact but well-organized.

Inside, you’ll find a travel-sized hand cream, lip balm, and facial mist. You also get a toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, socks, and a soft eyeshade. Everything is neatly packed and easy to use.

The skincare products smell fresh but not too strong. The eyeshade fits comfortably, and the socks are thicker than what you usually get in economy kits.

Etihad does not provide pajamas on this route, but the seat and blanket are good enough for sleeping without them. Slippers were also not offered but socks were high quality. Keep a pair of slippers handy if you like to take your shoes off during the flight.

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Entertainment and WiFi

Each Business Class seat on the A350 has a large, high-resolution screen in front of you. The touchscreen is fast and easy to use. You can also use the handheld remote, which is helpful when the seat is reclined.

The entertainment system includes hundreds of movies, TV shows, music albums, and games. There’s a good mix of Hollywood, international, and Arabic options. The system also includes a moving map with flight details.

The headphones are noise-canceling and comfortable for long use. Sound quality is great!

Wi-Fi is available with several plans. You can buy a messaging plan for basic apps like WhatsApp or a full internet plan for browsing and email. Streaming video is possible, but speeds can vary depending on the time and location.

The pricing was reasonable for a long-haul flight. Connection was stable, and I stayed online for most of the trip. If you need to work or just want to stay connected, the Wi-Fi does the job.

Etihad A350 business class in-flight Service – Food and Beverages

Service and food are where Edihad really shines. Etihad offers dine-on-demand in Business Class. This means you can eat whenever you’re ready, instead of following a fixed schedule. Shortly after takeoff, the crew brings out menus and takes your order. You can choose a full meal right away or ask for it later during the flight.

Welcome Drink

Before takeoff, you’re offered a drink—water, juice, or champagne—and a small snack. This is served while passengers finish boarding. They also give you a hot towel, which is nice.

Dinner

After the plane is in the air, your meal begins with a starter. The menu changes depending on the route and season, but the food quality stays high. You can expect warm meals, fresh ingredients, and good presentation on every flight.

On this flight, the starter was basil soup. It was served hot with a soft bread roll on the side. The soup was rich and had a smooth texture. It tasted fresh and flavorful.

For the main dish, you could choose from chicken, beef, or a vegetarian option. One of the main options was beef short ribs with potatoes, and sautéed vegetables. The beef was very tender and delicious. The entire meal was neatly presented and served hot.

For dessert, one choice was cheesecake with a berry sauce, fruit, and chocolate. The dessert was light and not too sweet, and the fruit added a fresh touch. Other options usually include cheese or a fruit plate.

After dinner, cabin lights were switched off. However, the you could order more food, if you wanted. The food is definitely one of the highlights of the flight.

Drinks: A full drink menu is available throughout the flight. You can order wine, cocktails, soft drinks, coffee, tea, or mocktails like mint lemonade. The crew offers refills often and checks in quietly during the meal.

Snacks: Snacks are available on request at any time. Options may include wraps, chips, fruit, or sweets. These are not listed on the main menu but are always stocked and ready when you ask.

The crew delivers each course with care and clears trays quickly. They move quietly through the cabin and respect your space. Whether you eat once or multiple times, you get fresh, well-prepared meals when you want them.

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Lavatory and Cleanliness

In Business Class on the A350, you’ll find two lavatories for the cabin. They are located at the front and between the two sections. Both are kept clean throughout the flight. The crew checks them often and restocks supplies as needed.

There is no shower on this flight.

The space is small but well-designed. There’s enough room to move around without feeling cramped. The sink uses a motion sensor, and the water pressure is steady. You’ll find branded hand lotion and facial mist placed near the mirror.

Lighting is bright but soft, and the mirror is large. There are hooks for your jacket or shirt if you want to freshen up. Paper towels and tissues are fully stocked.

Even after several hours into the flight, the lavatories stay tidy. Trash is cleared quickly, and surfaces are wiped down. It’s not a spa, but it feels clean and well-maintained—exactly what you need on a long flight.

Sleep Experience

When you’re ready to rest, the seat turns into a fully flat bed. It’s over six feet long and wide enough to sleep comfortably on your back or side. The padding is firm but supportive, and the flat surface helps you avoid pressure points during the night.

The blanket provided is soft and warm, and the full-size pillow adds extra comfort. The cabin stays cool and dark during most of the flight, which helps you fall asleep. The window shades are controlled by the passenger, and the mood lighting stays dim to reduce glare.

Noise is also lower on the A350 thanks to the newer engines and quieter design. You’ll still hear a light hum, but it’s not distracting. Most passengers settle into sleep after the first meal, and the crew moves through the cabin quietly.

You won’t get pajamas on this flight, but the seat and bedding are good enough to sleep for several hours. If you bring your own slippers, you’ll be even more comfortable.

For a long flight, it’s about as good as it gets. You’ll wake up feeling more rested than when you started.

Etihad A350 Business Class – Overall Summary

Etihad’s Business Class on the A350 offers a complete premium experience, with style, comfort, and consistency. If you’re booking with miles, it’s one of the best redemptions available for long-haul travel. A one-way flight from New York to Abu Dhabi costs 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles plus about $50 in taxes. Cash fares on this route typically run between $3,000 and $4,500.

The Business Studio seat is one of the most private and well-designed in its class. Service is calm, food is served on demand, and the A350’s quiet cabin makes it easy to sleep. While there are no over-the-top extras like pajamas or a dine-in-the-sky gimmick, Etihad focuses on getting the basics right—and it shows.

Etihad’s hard and soft products are clearly very refined. If you value rest, privacy, and reliable quality, Etihad is a solid choice.

Quantitative Analysis

We recognize reviews are often biased and subjective. This section summarizes the review qualitatively.

Cost Analysis

Etihad’s Business Class can offer excellent redemption value. For example, a one-way flight New York and Abu Dhabi costs 70,000 AAdvantage miles, or about 4 cents per mile if you value the flight at $3,000. For Aeroplan bookings, the cost is slightly higher in miles (85,000+), but award space may be more available.

Etihad’s A350 is used on many routes with high competition, so cash fares are often lower than Emirates or Qatar. Still, it offers a better seat and quieter cabin than many competitors, especially on the same aircraft type.

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Our Rating

Aspect	Notes	Score (out of 10)
Check-in	Fast and smooth; Etihad staff are efficient.	8
Hard Product
– Seat Comfort	Private, wide seat with lie-flat bed and plenty of space.	10
– In-flight Entertainment	Large screen, responsive UI, but headphones are average.	7
– Cleanliness	Cabin and lavatory were spotless.	9
Soft Product
– Food Quality	Dine-on-demand, fresh ingredients, well-plated meals.	8
– Beverage Selection	Full bar service, including wine, cocktails, and mint lemonade.	9
Cabin Crew	Professional, calm, and attentive without being intrusive.	9
Amenities	Acqua di Parma kit is stylish; no pajamas but good blanket and pillow.	8
Lounges	Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK is stylish and well-equipped.	8
Cents per Mile	9.7 cpm on award booking; excellent for AAdvantage.	9
Total		85 / 100

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