Fun travels: Etihad EY 873/19 ICN to LHR

Etihad EY 873/19 ICN to LHR

Back to London after 20 years!
Why London? Wifey wanted to visit and had never been there.

We started off at ICN airport from South Korea and took Etihad to London, via Abu Dhabi on Business Class.

This Etihad A340 plane had a 1-2-1 seat configuration which was nice, much better than those business classes with a 2-2-2. Means I dont have to climb over someone to go to the toilet.
Seats were not the newest but they were lie flat.
I do like the striped material on the seats, a change from the usual monotone color scheme on other airlines.
There is also a massage function on the seat but it really doesnt work well.
Airlines should save some money by not purchasing those.

The seat is a bit narrow compared to more modern business class seats but still very functional.
The IFE was however, very very slow.
Selection of movies and tv programming was quite good though.

Etihad provides amenity kits but only on certain flights such as long haul overnight flights.
We got one from ICN to AUH but not on the equally long AUH to LHR day flight.

The amenity kits come randomly in different colours and has a rubbery type exterior with a colorful modern design. Very cool looking.
Each color of amenity kit also corresponds to a particular city such as London or New York and includes a small city guide for that city itself.

The contents include ear plugs, dental kit, socks, eye mask and two small toiletry lotions from Scaramouche.

Etihad has a dine on demand service.
EY 873 was a red eye flight and so I only had breakfast before landing

Starter of mixed nuts and tea

I chose the Labneh and Mint omelette which was just ok.
It was nothing spectacular unlike other Etihad inflight meals.

The A340 is one of three, I believe, large commercial passengers jets with four engines.
The others being the B747 and A380.

Love having a window seat!

The very distinctive ATC at Abu Dhabi

Upon landing at Abu Dhabi(AUH), we were given Priority/Premier access cards for transfer but at the AUH security line, there was no one manning the Priority line, with a very long snaking regular line.
Another business class pax then opened up the Priority line himself and all of us followed him through. LOL
The security guy at AUH then didnt bother to really look at our passes and just waved us through.

There was a long walk to the another terminal for our next flight where we settled into the lounge.
Etihad's business class lounge was very big and had two sections filled with food.
When we got there, it was quite empty but filled up really quick.
Showers were available as well.

At the boarding gate, awaiting EY 19 to LHR
Premier class pax were allowed to go through the boarding process early with a separate seating area.

EY 19 was a A380, a much newer plane.
The entire upper deck was all business class seating and every seat was filled!

Seats were very nice and the IFE was snappy, very quick, definitely improvements over the A340.
The only drawback I feel was the opening(to get to the aisle) was where the passenger is seated, instead of being at the other end.
It would be a lot more private if the aisle opening was at the feet area, rather than at the head.
Korean Air business class has the openings at the feet area which I feel, is a lot more private.

The flight attendants were from all over Europe.
The Polish FA which served my area did an excellent job, had great service and professional.

Bar and seating area at the front of Business class.
It was very under-utilized though.

The toilet had a restaurant/bar feel to it as well.
Instead of a super white bright toilet like in most planes, this one was dark with lighting.
Very nice!