Etihad Airways

We were flying First Class Etihad-Europe having previously travelled First Class on Qantas BA Air France and Emirates. The lounge turns out to be the New Zealand Airlines "standard" lounge. This is very much not what we expect when we pay for First Class. It's a nice enough lounge crowded despite a quiet night at the airport (I'd hate to see it on a slightly busy night!) but nothing more. Would not reach Business Class standards for any other airline. As we sit in the lounge we are not planning to fly Etihad again. There's a chance for catch up on the flights and in the other ports but really we've made a decision to fly First Class because we want "First Class" funnily enough! This is not a First Class lounge and as stated above I'd be disappointed if I'd paid Business Class for this. Part of the real pleasure of starting a holiday is sitting back in the lounge with that first glass of champagne. We last travelled Emirates and while they didn't have a dedicated First lounge (shared with Business) the facilities food and champagne are great on board. This is the first time I've ever bothered to write such a review which reflects our disappointment. Etihad has a fair bit of catching up to do at this early stage. There's no way that we'll depart Melbourne with Etihad again. Do what Air France do escort your First Class passengers (in CDG at least) to the lounge make sure they're comfortable and come and get them when it's time to leave. If you're going to ask for 5-10 times the fare make the customer feel a little special!

Etihad business class travellers have to fight for seats in this lounge. This lounge is too small and regularly too full to accommodate all business class passengers. Food quality has declined.

Totally disappointed by this so called premium lounge. Not only was it overcrowded the staff offered no help when you are circling around trying to find a place to sit and eat. The staff at reception was fine. The toilets seemed too small for volume of passengers and I looked for the so called shower facilities in vain. The whole design on top of the huge crowd using it certainly gives you the impression that you are in a canteen and not in a premium lounge. On the return flight the plane from Kuala Lumpur landed in Abu Dhabi around midnight and not only trying to find the lounge from where you got off this time was a nightmare but when I got to the lounge I did not bother to eat (despite being hungry) as I was not prepared to explore every corner just to find a comfortable place to eat. Etihad please wake up and upgrade this lounge I am not being demanding but when you pay to travel business class some comfort in transit is not too much to ask.

Senses Spa would be one of the best things here. Lounge is too small for the morning traffic. Food was good and a variety. Staff is too loud. Waiting for the shower and a line for the toilet - never happened with me before in a Business class lounge. Etihad people need to understand what a lounge means - and not just free food and drinks.

This is not an Etihad lounge as they do not have one at JFK. This lounge is so poor it is unbelievable unhappy person on reception only one person cleaning up the food way below lounge level no champagne warm white wine. We left as soon as possible. Avoid this place it really is very bad.

Rather small feeling crammed and very crowded. It was difficult to find a seat and impossible to use one of the computer terminals. Staff were busy in their attempts to replenish food and beverages. The lounge needs to be much bigger.

Although this is the new lounge in Terminal 3 it can get very crowded. Food and beverage is good but seating is a little close together and there is not much privacy. The Six Senses Spa is great. Overall not a bad lounge but I do not know why Etihad chose to create such a small lounge in contrast to the number of people who use it. Etihad needs to attend to the washrooms as they were not what you would expect from a business class lounge.

The a la carte dining was superb with great attention by the staff. Again the Six Senses Spa is great and just what you need before a long flight. The food and beverage section is well maintained and is of a high quality. Overall this is a fine lounge and rates as one of the best I have been in.

Excellent catering and drinks selection complete with bar service. Abundant large screen iMacs for use as well as Wi-fi. Well-kept though few toilets with a single shower so there can be a queue. There is a Six Senses Spa which gives complimentary 15 minute treatments with free clothes pressing. Inside the Spa are 6 more showers. The rush hour seems to be from 8-9 am. It was virtually empty before and after that.