Etihad Airways
Abu Dhabi – Karachi
EY-221
A6-EIN

After landing in Abu Dhabi and having an truly unexpected experience on the previous flight from Toronto, I made my way through the normal security procedures packing my camera back into the bag behind a pillar, before entering the line one is normally accustomed to having when landing at Abu Dhabi. Familiar with the surroundings from past trips, I headed straight to the Duty Free which is very limited when compared to the likes of Dubai Duty Free where the choices are endless. Knowing what I needed, I proceeded to the check out and walked away with the maroon Abu Dhabi Duty Free bag in hand. It was a few hours wait and I knew for the Karachi flight we would have to proceed to the lower ground level from where you are literally on level with the rest of the airport. Taxing aircraft suddenly seem so much better to view not to mention the aircraft parked at the gates are now at ground level with you! The gate once displayed on the electronic boards had me go down, and find my holding pen where most passengers had already congregated. It’s the one that we had previously too and after looking around I managed to find a seat. Time started to slow down and I found myself periodically falling into moments of deep sleep and rudely awakened when my head would jerk forward from the unconsciousness of it all.

Scenes of the Duty Free below from the arrivals area


Additional scenes


Going Green at Abu Dhabi


Water conservation measures


The gate agents started to line up the areas with the queuing equipment and before long people started to get up even before any announcement was made. I decided to join the lot, hoping to get myself on the plane as quickly as possible and rid myself of my bags into the overhead bin! I got to the front and in my tiredness handed just the boarding pass which I had received in Toronto to the check in agent, who reminded me “Passport, please, Sir!” to which I fumbled in my jeans pocket and pulled it out while she bent down and wrote at her desk. I handed her the passport and she had a look at it , ripped the shorter end of my boarding pass handing it to me and said “Second bus, sir!”. I seemed a bit surprised as I knew the second bus was for Business Class Passengers, but felt they probably wanted to speed up the boarding process. I climbed into the second bus and grabbed a seat and noticed it was much nicer than the ones Economy passengers get transferred in. I noticed passengers behind me going into the first bus except for an elderly European couple and a family with kids board after me, while none others made their way to the second one. Remembering what was said to me last year when I asked if I could travel in this second bus when the first got full and was told “Business Class only”, I took out my boarding pass from my top shirt pocket to see if any change had taken place to my seat and could hardly believe my eyes! My seat 22F had been changed by hand to 3A. This is what the gate agent wrote down while she bent down at her desk while asking me to hand her my passport! Still feeling I was perhaps dreaming, I looked at the card again and rubbed my finger across where it now said 3A! It was real after all and no wonder she asked me to specifically get on board this bus. Wow it felt great to be upgraded and my tiredness was gone in seconds.

We started to move shortly later after the first bus filled and moved on and I frantically started to assemble my camera and place it around my neck!! Oh boy, was I going to be trigger happy on this sector. We made it to the familiar area of waiting A320s which are boarded by stairs and pulled up close to A6-EIN whose registration could be clearly seen from the speckled windows of the bus. Behind us was the Etihad Airways Formula 1 A340-600 in all it’s glory undergoing ground checks. I was so mesmerised by it that I for a second forgot about the Business Class treat awaiting me. After the first Economy bus had emptied out we pulled closer to the stairs and once near the door of the bus, I took my first shot of this baby Airbus bathing in the terminal lights. Keeping a clear eye for security around the plane in their neon sleeveless jackets I cautiously took a couple more shots discreetly using my flip screen of my camera to view in movie mode to click the shots once the green squares filled the screen to indicate the shot was good to go!

Etihad A320 (A6-EIN) operating as EY 221 to Karachi


Gorgeous Airbus A340-600 Formula 1 aircraft


Etihad A320 (A6-EIN) as seen from the door of the bus


Cockpit view of A6-EIN


Fuselage view of A6-EIN


At the entrance stood a French male Purser who I now instantly recognised by the red tie, with another male FA in the tiny galley between the cockpit doors and Business Class. “Welcome Mr. M” he said to me “Third seat on your right, by the window, Sir”. The other FA behind smiled and said “Welcome” too as I peeked into the open cockpit door with the corner of my eyes. Before me was my seat for the almost two hour sector to Karachi. The usual earthy tones of the Economy section were replaced with the turquoise blue of the Regional Business Class seat, with the familiar zebra black and beige pillows and similar much larger sterilised blanket on the seat. Earphones on the top completed the welcome package scene. Amenity kits were found in the bag with the blanket. Just the basic socks, much better eye shade and ear plugs. The spacious empty overhead bin was partly filled with my shoulder strap bag, Abu Dhabi Duty Free bags, jackets, inner linings while I sat with just my jeans and shirt into the spacious seat. I had barely settled into my seat when the second FA in the galley who I think looked Egyptian came and asked me what I would like to drink. I opted for the lemon mint drink which was promptly brought out to me as he pulled the tray outwards from the seat armrests and proceeded to place a napkin on the armrest itself! “Enjoy” he said to me as I by now had the glass to my lips taking a sip, as my eyes twinkled in acknowledgment. “Thank you” I said the glass now away from me as he turned back to smile at my response. I slunk a little deeper down into the seat, placed both my hands on each side of the armrests that seemed to be quite far apart than what I am accustomed to when riding at the back, tilted my head to the right and watched the world go by into Economy. This felt so different and I decided almost right away I should look into options to upgrade at least on these shorter flights next time. I had nearly flown Emirates on this same trip just for the purpose of using my expiring points to upgrade one way but the days I would get in Karachi would be shorter than compared to Etihad. I was getting to experience Business Class now thanks to Etihad I thought to myself as I wiped my face with the hot scented towel the FA had brought out on a wooden rack and handed to me as he placed it again on the armrest.

My throne for the next two hours – Regional Business Class Seat


Welcome drink of Lemon and Mint


Legroom in front of me


Large oversized blanket – Business Class style


Hot towel on it’s nice tray


We had now passed our appointed departure time and while the rest of the passengers had now filled in and as I was starting to savour the quietness of the cabin a family of four entered. They had been sitting directly in front of me on my Toronto flight and while the kids had been great, the little one had by now had enough of this whole trip as he entered the cabin crying. What unfolded next was the mother and two kids sitting directly behind me in the unoccupied Business Class seats. By now the other seats had been occupied except for the seat next to me and the seats 1A & 1B. Another arrival into 2A filled Business and the doors were shut behind us. The crying had turned to a frenzy by now and the occupants in 3E and 3F turned to look back. My feeling of calm and serenity suddenly seemed to have been gobbled down into quicksand. No sooner had the new upgrades like me settled in their seats they were offered the welcome drinks and hot towels and shortly later we began to pushback. The engine start up and motion of the aircraft seemed to have had some effect on the child who quietened down. Fortunately my recordings remained crying free and had the initial safety briefing, while the Purser’s voice filled the rest of the safety instructions in the background as we passed the gorgeous Airbus A340-600 F1 aircraft and made it to the runway.

Continuing to record we lined up and before long departed thirty minutes late from Abu Dhabi. We climbed into the night sky the city lights in neat lines, shapes and curves taking place outside the window in the distance below. The engine remain illuminated with the landing lights on and soon all was lost outside as the cabin lights came back on which had been turned off for take off, a standard procedure on all Etihad Airways flights where announcements were made indicating this and advising “guests” to use their reading lights should they wish to continue to read. My little occupants at the back were now starting to enjoy the flight as much as I was. Fortunately due to the distance between the seats the all familiar kicking into the seat back by the little one was greatly prevented. I now took my video screen out of the armrest and started to fiddle with the old style Entertainment system.

Take off from Abu Dhabi


The Purser was now moving around the cabin taking orders and while I had glanced at the menu cards which were distributed earlier while still on the ground, I picked it up again and started to read through it quickly. Before long he was now kneeling down on one knee and at eye level with me, the thought of such personal service making me momentarily forget what I really wanted to order. “What would you like to drink?” he asked holding a menu card in one hand and a pen firmly in the other in position to write my wishes on it. “Err, Nothing” I replied. “Nothing?” he continued to maintain eye contact with me with an eyebrow slightly raised in a feeling of never having anything like that said to him before. “Perhaps some Sparkling water” he continued in his heavy French accent “Yes” I replied while he almost wrote in down knowing I would acknowledge his recommendation. I should have at least asked for Champagne (which I regret not asking for now) “And what would you like to eat?” he said this time looking down into his card as I said without any hesitation “I’ll have the Fish please” almost forgetting to add the words “Kabsa” to the end of my sentence. My sparkling water was delivered to me shortly after.

Contemporary Dining – Inspired CuIsine Menu Card


A La Carte


Beverages - Notice the old style IFE and Northern route over the UAE


Wine List


Spirits, Liqueurs etc



Orders taken and with the cabin now quiet except for the little chatter from behind, Business Class was starting to take shape again. I lost no time in loading the inflight map on the screen rising out of the armrest and realised we had now had passed Dubai a while behind as we had now turned right and heading to Karachi on an all familiar route that took us north over the western side of the UAE. I never opened my headphone and package and the blanket remained intact in it’s bag on the floor beside me. I reclined my seat a bit and once again settled into the large space, shut my eyes and placed my hands on each armrest and savoured it all. The smell of the dishes being heated filled the air in the cabin and it stirred me momentarily as I inhaled deeper to take in the fragrant aromas. The Purser was back with napkins neatly folded on his arm which was bent inwards towards his body while he requested others to pull out their tray tables from the other side of the armrest. I pulled out mine by which time he had reached my seat and proceeded to place the napkin he pulled out with one hand and placed it neatly on my tray table as he unfolded it on it. I lost no time to tell him “Er, I’ve changed my mind. I’d like some white wine with my meal” to which he blinked his eyes at me and almost instantly said “which one?....the Sauvignon Blanc” he recommended to which I agreed ”Yes” as I left the wine list back in the side of my seat as quickly as I tried to pull it out.

My meal arrived in all it’s glory and placed on my tray table with the good wishes of “Bon Apetite” and “Enjoy” by the Purser who was doing everything possible to ensure we were taken care of, yet with an air of sophistication! I looked at my meal now lay before me and everything looked great and I took a sip of the sparkling water as I proceeded to use my other free hand to undo the little white clip that was holding the seal of my cutlery neatly wrapped in my napkin. That done, I placed the napkin over my lap and with the fork proceeded to touch the top of my two peaks of fragrant rice that began to tumble gently down into my plate. A quick sample of the fish and I was in heaven! It was just right, flaky and fragrant and so very enjoyable. I decided to try the onion and olive focaccia which was a bit dry which I dipped into the olive and balsamic mixture later to finish, using some of the butter as well. I proceeded to savour the next fishy option of the Salmon wrapped in thinly sliced cucumber which was even better with each morsel. The mango, pepper and spring onion salsa was the right accompaniment to it all. People who know me well are never surprised to see I leave my seafood last to eat on my plate and with the other items now clearly washed down with sips of the sparkling water and the white wine, I proceeded to eat the Fish Kabsa itself. I have never had anything quite like it and the spices used in it got me interested to learn more about it. My Middle Eastern FA was walking down the aisle to see if any refills or requests needed attending to, and I motioned him towards me. “Yes Sir” he smiled as he bent forward to take my request “What are the spices in this dish?” I asked him “It’s Turkish is it?” almost lost in it’s taste as I made the error of thiking it was Turkish as I recall someone in the cabin mentioning that while reading the menu card. “No Sir, it’s Arabic” he said to me “And I am not sure about the flavours, that is something our catering would know best” he said handling the whole situation with a sense of finesse and diplomacy! “No worries” I said to him as he nodded in acknowledgment! I would have something similar called “Fish Biryani” on my flight to Toronto some weeks later with the same garnishes of fried onions and cashews, but this was so much better and in a class of it’s own. I had wiped out everything clean off my plate and it was truly a great Business Class meal. The Salmon and Cucumber Cannelloni was absolutely mouth watering good!!

Business Class Meal Service - Fish Kabsa


Salmon and Cucumber Cannelloni, Olive oil & Balsamic Vinaigrette & Butter


Salmon and Cucumber Cannelloni


Onion and Olive Foccacia Bread



The Purser proceeded to clear the trays and as he took mine, so completely satisfied with my meal, I could not resist another glass of wine. “I’d like another glass of wine please” I said in a state of bliss content from the meal and drink offerings. “Certainly sir” he said to me taking the tray and also my table cloth and arriving shortly later with the bottle of wine and the napkin in his folded arm. “Oh I have taken your glass away” he said as he peered down into my seat as the lights had almost automatically been dimmed on his return. “I shall be right back” he said appearing some minutes later my wine now poured in it’s glass and put down on my tray table with it’s own coaster. I sipped at the wine slowly and in what had been a forgotten issue, was reminded of the little one behind me who was now walking up and down the aisle. I played peek a boo with him as parts of the Business Class cabin were illuminated with the snake light reading lights that had been turned on in some seats. I saw the occupants of seat 3E and 3F get their desserts and I waited for mine. Nothing happened. I started to wonder since I had no indicated the dessert when he asked me what I wanted to eat, did he think I was not interested in having any?

The aircraft started to shake gently then firmly as the seat belts signs turned on the Purser came on the air asking everybody to return to their seats. This continued momentarily and then just the usual shakes which resulted in the seat belt signs still remaining on however! The Purser was in the cabin chatting with the family behind and in the process I joined in the conversation too. The mother was keen to know the reason for all my photographing everything on board, and I told her about airliners.net. She said she would check it. It is really hard with parents to travel with kids and we sometimes get a bit annoyed with the crying of the little ones and thanks to roaming with my own friends with young ones I have learned to be a bit more accommodating of them. I started to feel a bit tipsy and I was not sure if this was also the reason for my change in heart but I decided to use the washroom. “Be careful” my Purser friend cautioned me as I climbed out of my seat into the darkened cabin and he cleared my glass away, momentarily blinded by the well lit galley where the other FA smiled as he saw me enter.

Washroom amenities


Details of Washroom Amenities


Once back out both were in the galley and I noticed a plated dessert of the Seasonal Fresh fruits being prepared. “Did I have to order my dessert when you came by to take the orders” I asked the Purser who at once said to me “No you can order it anytime” and then in an instant said “Would you like to order it now” “Yes “ I replied “I’ll have the Gulab Jamun option”. I was about to leave when I asked if I could take a photo of the Fresh Seasonal fruit option “Sure” he said and I clicked a photo while they both had a bit of a smirk as they looked at each other. I explained why I took photos and they have never read of a.net. I then proceeded to show the pictures of the Purser on my flight from Toronto and he recognised him immediately.

Seasonal Fruits selection


Back at my seat my dessert was delivered in the dark and with the same good wishes to enjoy. I tried frantically to photograph it even with both the reading lights on but to no avail would my camera take a pic as it frantically tried to focus in the dark, the grinding sounds adding to sounds of frustration running in my mind!!. I really missed my point and shoot which would take a pic in any condition!! I was so tempted to take it back to them and have it photographed sacrificing eating it for the sake of the photo, but the rocking and the fact the seat belt sign remained on prevented me from getting up. That coupled with the announcement from the flight deck that we had now commenced our descent into Karachi and it was left with me to just enjoy the tasty dessert just bursting flavours in my mouth. My tray table was cleared shortly and I can’t remember if the lights were turned back on or we continued in the dark into our descent, but the crying behind me had started and the pitch had increased for some moments before quieting down again. We did not go through to the familiar Eastern approach but continued to descend directly down into the city where we landed from the West. Parts of the city remained in shrouds of darkness as the power failures remained evident below. From the skies above we touched down into Karachi being the first in place from the rest of the other Middle Eastern arrivals which were to arrive much later, even though we were thirty minutes late. I has stopped recording by the time we had vacated the main runway and as we got closer to the terminal building and began to pull up close to the gate I frantically started to put my camera together again as a Star Alliance tail started to take shape and by which time we were no pulling up close to this Thai Airways Star Alliance beauty! She looked lovely bathed in the terminal lights. Such a gorgeous aircraft! We were the first to leave and the entire Economy cabin was looking down at us as we pulled our bags out of the overhead bins! I thanked both the Purser and the FA for the truly awesome experience and made my way out of the aircraft where sometime later I was reunited with my family, excitedly telling them about my Business Class experience!!

Thank you Etihad for this wonderful opportunity to experience Business class.

Gorgeous Thai Airways A330-300 Star Alliance


Detail of HS-TEL


[Edited 2013-02-24 07:12:50]