Review: Etihad A320 Business Class Abu Dhabi To Hyderabad

Here’s a quick review of my overnight flight from Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad on an Etihad A320 in business class.

As a reminder, I’m in the midst of a “vintage” trip report to India/Maldives. But even though this flight review is a few years old, it still captures what you can expect if you fly Etihad in shorthaul business class today.

After an extended stay in the lounge, we began what turned out to be a very long walk toward our gate, located at the far end of the terminal. This was a remote gate and boarding had already commenced when we arrived. We boarded the bus and made a five-minute journey to the A320 that would take us to India.

a plane at night with lights on

Etihad Airways 214
Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Hyderabad (HYD)
Monday, December 28
Depart: 03:10 AM
Arrive: 08:45 AM
Duration: 03hr, 35min
Distance: 1,612 miles
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Seat: 2B (Business Class)

Stepping onboard the aircraft, a flight attendant inspected our boarding passes and motioned to our seats. Tonight’s flight would be full.

Etihad Airways A320 Business Class Seat

Etihad’s business class includes four rows of 2-2 seating for a total of 16 seats. Recline is better than a typical domestic U.S. first class seat and the seatback pockets have three compartments for easy storage of sunglasses and passport. The seats also include a legrest and footrest.

a seats in a plane

a seats on a plane

Since we were among the last to board, I was unable to secure a clear shot of the cabin, but here’s what an Etihad A319 looks like with the same layout:

Etihad A319 Business Class Review

A full IFE library is also offered with noise-canceling headphones. The seat was provisioned with power outlets in the center console, which came in handy to charge our mobile phones.

Etihad Airways A320 Business Class Dining

A choice of sparking wine, water, or Etihad’s signature mint lime juice was offered prior to departure.

a glass of water and a glass of liquid on a tray

Breakfast was served immediately after takeoff, even though it was about 3:45 AM. I far would have preferred eating prior to landing, but did order breakfast for review purposes. The choices were eggs or balaleet, which is a regional dish of vermicelli sweetened with sugar, cardamom, rose water and saffron, and served with an overlying egg omelette. While not as tasty as kanafeh, it was quite good and my first time trying this dish. Hot towels were served prior to breakfast.

a pair of white towels on a metal tray

a plate of food and a glass of juice

a plate of food with a white object on it

a roll in a metal container

a bowl of fruit on a table

a glass of orange juice and butter on a table

I slept for next two hours and awakened to a sun-filled cabin as we neared Hyderabad. The FA noticed I was awake and asked if I wanted anything else to drink. I ordered a cappuccino, which was nicely served on a tray with a croissant. The cappuccino itself, however, was powdered. Stick to normal coffee on Etihad narrow body jets…

a seat in an airplane

a cup of coffee and pastries on a tray

CONCLUSION

We landed on time in HYD and were quickly out of immigration and on our way to the Park Hyatt Hyderabad. In short, this was a nice three-hour flight, though a flat bed would have been greatly appreciated. Still, it was not worth the extra connection in Delhi or Mumbai to get one, so all’s well that ends well.

an airplane on a runway