Etihad A321LR Economy Class Review

Etihad’s Economy Class on the A321LR is in a standard 3-3 configuration, with rows 16-20 boasting a 34 inch seat pitch. All other rows are 30 inch which is considered tight for the length of flight these aircraft operate. All seats have a good width of 18.4 inch and a 5 inch recline. The seat features an adjustable headrest, storage pockets, 13.3 inch 4K monitor for on demand in flight entertainment (IFE), as well as USB-A and USB-C charging ports. The monitor adjusts slightly, but not enough for taller passengers.

These aircraft are brand new for Etihad, so the cabins feel fresh, clean, modern, and very well presented. All the seat mechanisms work smoothly, and are free from scuffs, wear and tear. However, it is noted that our seat from AUH-ZRH was very squeaky on a two-month old jet, maybe a seat manufacturer issue?

As these jets fly for upwards of 7 hours, Etihad has made significant investments in the Economy cabin and it clearly shows.

The Economy Class cabin crew on Etihad Airways provided a polished and reassuring level of customer service throughout the flight. Crew members were consistently friendly, polite, and attentive, creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere in the cabin. Call bells were answered promptly, typically within a minute, demonstrating strong situational awareness and responsiveness. Safety checks were carried out thoroughly and at appropriate intervals, always with courtesy and clear communication, ensuring passengers felt both comfortable and well looked after. Overall, the service reflected a professional, well-trained crew who balanced efficiency with genuine and warm care.

Etihad must be commended for its food and beverage offerings on a six-hour hop to Switzerland, with hot meals being served on each sector. All meals are served on a tray with an appetiser, entrée, bread roll, butter, dessert, water, and metal cutlery. 

On each sector, we chose the lamb dish with an Irish lamb stew being served on the outbound flight to Zurich, and similar with rice served on the return leg to Abu Dhabi. Both meals were piping hot, well presented in a reusable container, and very tasty. A quinoa salad appetiser was served on each flight but it lacked a real punch of flavour which could be elevated with a sauce.

The biggest contrast between the meals across the two flights was actually the bread rolls! The ‘outbound bread’ was cold, dry, and hard, almost inedible. However on the return flight to Abu Dhabi the ‘inbound bread’ was warm, soft, and had good overall texture. Maybe catering in Zurich has a better quality bread than Etihad’s home station?

Etihad offers a good range of beverages for the medium sector to Europe, with red and white wine, beer, sodas, juices, hot beverages, and water being offered. All crew serve these with the main meal, with top-ups available throughout. However, crew do not seem to make additional beverage services after the main meal.

A small notable missing element was the lack of menus on this flight. Although it is noted that this is a medium sector, carriers in Asia also offer menus on flights of similar length or built into the IFE system. As Etihad prides itself on being a top tier airline, these small elements do detract from this.

Each seat features a 13.3” touchscreen IFE display, with the monitor being very responsive and easy to use, a real breath of fresh air.

Etihad Airways’ entertainment system EBOX offers an excellent array of entertainment options, including recent box office releases, Apple TV, and HBO Max series. Hot releases such as Fantastic Four, Weapons, Downton Abbey, and The Long Walk top the movie lists. There is a fantastic array to cater to all audiences, including Indian passengers who form a large portion of their market.

Surprisingly, Etihad offers a small amenity kit onboard their A321LR services into Europe, with a A321LR branded bag being presented on the seat for boarding. The kit includes an eye mask, hand cream, earplugs, and the kit turns into a aircraft branded reusable bag, which we think is an intuitive offering.

Presented on the seat for boarding is also a good-sized and comfortable pillow, in fact it may be one of the best Economy Class pillows out there. There is also a neatly rolled blanket, which is of a better quality than most economy offerings.

Overall, Etihad Airways’ new A321LR hard product is genuinely impressive, delivering a level of comfort rarely found on a narrowbody aircraft. Seat comfort is strong for longer sectors, and when paired with high quality catering, thoughtful amenities such as the amenity kit and pillow, and a solid inflight entertainment offering, the experience feels far closer to widebody flying than expected.

As anticipated, Etihad Airways’ cabin crew further elevates the journey. Across both flights, crew were consistently professional, warm, and genuinely attentive, creating a sense of care that went beyond the standard economy experience. Service felt polished yet personal, reinforcing the airline’s premium positioning even at the back of the aircraft.

If you have the opportunity, seek out one of Etihad Airways’ A321LR services and experience it for yourself. It is a narrowbody that truly does not feel like one, and we are confident most passengers will walk away pleasantly surprised.

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