Is Etihad Airways’ A380 Business Class Underrated? We Tell You the Facts!

The A380 Business Class cabin features 70 seats branded as the Etihad Business Studio, arranged in an alternating forward-and rear-facing dovetail layout. All seats offer direct aisle access, and while some passengers may prefer to face forward, both orientations are well executed.

Privacy is provided via a sliding privacy screen for middle seats, and there is no sliding door on any seats. While not the most modern solution, it still offers a good sense of separation without making the seat feel enclosed. Seat width measures 22 inches between the armrests, providing generous shoulder space.

Each seat converts into a fully flat bed, with forward-facing seats extending to 80.5 inches, and rear-facing seats to 75.7 inches. In bed mode, the seat remains supportive and comfortable, delivering a solid night’s sleep, even if it no longer feels cutting edge compared with the newest Business Class products entering the market.

Storage is well thought out. Secure personal storage is built into the seat, complemented by additional stowage around the cabin, particularly for window-seat passengers, thanks to the A380’s sidewall compartments (although one is oddly marked “No Stowage”). There is also space beneath the footwell for shoes or a small bag.

Seat controls are intuitive, but some of the seat mechanisms are clunky and take multiple button presses to move the seat. A touchscreen panel allows adjustment of recline, lumbar support (including massage), firmness, lighting, window shades, and “Do Not Disturb” mode, supported by a simplified physical control panel. The fixed headrest is a limitation, slightly reducing fine-tuned comfort.

Each seat is equipped with an 18-inch touchscreen display, paired with noise-cancelling headphones, alongside a universal AC power outlet and two USB-A sockets, ensuring devices remain charged throughout the flight.

Customer service in Business Class on Etihad Airways was outstanding and closely aligned with the airline’s premium positioning. Crew greeted passengers by name on boarding and continued to use names naturally throughout the flight, creating a highly personalised experience. Interactions were warm, genuine, and conversational, with crew taking time to engage meaningfully rather than relying on scripted service.

Service execution was equally impressive. Call bells were answered promptly, cabin presence was consistently strong, and safety checks were conducted thoroughly yet discreetly, always with courtesy and clear communication. Crew were proactive in offering to make up beds and frequently remade them when passengers left their seats, ensuring the cabin remained immaculate throughout the flight. All service items were placed down gently and with care, reinforcing the sense of refinement and attention to detail. Combined with genuine warmth and professionalism, this created a calm, polished, and truly premium onboard experience.

Menus are waiting at the seat on boarding and feel appropriately premium in presentation. However, the selection leans heavily towards Western and Indian dishes. For a flagship service, this feels like a missed opportunity to showcase more Emirati or Middle Eastern flavours. Many other premium carriers offer more selection in premium cabins extensively, with some even offering bespoke meals bookable before departure. It is disappointing to see Etihad fall short of many other likeminded premium carriers.

We have also taken other business class flights with Etihad this year (reviews to follow) and we have found that menu choices are very similar no matter the route. This is an area where Etihad clearly falls short with the opportunity for improvement.

Welcome drinks are offered promptly, including champagne, orange juice, and Etihad’s signature lemon and mint beverage, still one of the most refreshing pre-departure drinks in the sky. Crew are attentive and efficient, clearing used serviceware well before departure, and meal orders are taken at the seat before pushback, which adds to the sense of polish.

Starters are a clear highlight. The smoked haddock carpaccio is light, fresh, and clean, while on another sector, a tuna and prawn starter impressed with its freshness and balance. Salads are consistently well presented and served with individual bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a small but thoughtful premium touch.

Main courses are more variable. The braised beef short rib is attractively presented but arrives only lukewarm, suggesting it has been plated too early. Texture-wise, it is firmer than expected for short rib, with a noticeable layer of fat beneath the meat. It’s not poor, but it doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the presentation.

Bread is a weaker element, proving stodgy and quick to harden once cool, an area where many premium airlines still struggle, and Etihad is no exception. The dessert menu is small, but the chocolate fondant cake is always excellent and gooey in the middle.

At the seat on boarding is a full bedding set, including a duvet, mattress pad, and a large feather pillow. The pillow is generously sized and supportive, comfortable, and quite luxurious.

Amenity kits are stocked with ESPA products designed for Etihad and presented in a sleek, premium pouch. Inside are hand and body lotion, lip balm, facial mist, a dental kit, earplugs, and an eye mask. Product quality is excellent, though the absence of extras such as socks or a comb is noticeable compared with some competitors. 

Business Studio passengers also have access to The Lobby, Etihad’s signature A380 social space located between the Business and First Class cabins. This lounge style area features six belted seats, charging points, and a communal screen. It’s an ideal place to stretch your legs, enjoy a drink, or socialise mid flight, adding a genuine sense of space that few airlines replicate as well. 

A staffed bar showcases Etihad’s wine and spirits selection, reinforcing the premium feel, though it is not clearly signposted whether passengers may help themselves.

Overall, Etihad Airways delivers a polished and genuinely premium Business Class experience, led by outstanding customer service. Crew consistently greeted passengers by name, engaged in warm and natural conversation, and demonstrated excellent attention to detail throughout the flight. Call bells were answered promptly, safety checks were conducted discreetly, beds were proactively made up and refreshed, and all service items were placed down gently, reinforcing a calm and refined cabin atmosphere.

The Airbus A380 Business Studio remains a comfortable and well-presented hard product, offering privacy, direct aisle access, and a fully flat bed capable of delivering a restful flight, even if it is no longer at the cutting edge of Business Class design. Catering is generally high quality, though greater menu variety and stronger representation of Emirati and Middle Eastern flavours would further enhance the experience.

Ultimately, while elements of the hard product are beginning to show their age, Etihad Airways’ exceptional service culture elevates the overall journey, making its A380 Business Class a compelling and highly enjoyable way to travel.

Stay tuned as we will be bringing you a review of Etihad Airways’ new seat onboard their Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner.