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Hello and welcome back! Are you searching for an honest Etihad economy class review? I’m sharing my first-hand experience flying Etihad from Kuala Lumpur to London, covering seats, meals, service, and everything new flyers should know!
Klook.comToday’s post is all about my flight experience with Etihad Airways — my first time flying with them! If you’ve been following me on social media, you know I love sharing travel reviews, and this one is no different. 😄
To be honest, I didn’t enjoy my return flight back to Kuala Lumpur that much, but the flight from Kuala Lumpur to London? I loved it! So here’s my full experience and what you can expect if you’re flying Etihad for the first time.
Date of Travel: SEP 2024
Route: Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) → Abu Dhabi (AUH) → London Heathrow (LHR)
Class: Economy (U)
Aircraft: BOEING 787-9 / AIRBUS A380-800
Date of Travel: SEP 2024
Route: London Heathrow (LHR) → Abu Dhabi (AUH) → Kuala Lumpur (KLIA)
Class: Economy (E)
Aircraft: AIRBUS A380-800 / BOEING 787-9
My Etihad Economy Class Review – Flight Experience
Etihad economy flight review
Whenever I plan a long-haul trip to the Middle East or Europe, Etihad Airways is always on my radar. They’re known for modern aircraft, chic cabin design, and signature Emirati hospitality — even in economy class.
This time, I flew from Kuala Lumpur to London, with a transit in Abu Dhabi, and I’m sharing everything from booking to landing.
Booking Process
I booked my flight very last-minute through Etihad’s official website. Usually, I use third-party sites (they’re often cheaper or have error fares, as I always share on my Facebook 😉), but this time I had no choice — I had to book fast, no matter the price.
Tips:
✅ Clear fare breakdown: Basic, Value, Comfort options in Economy
✅ You can choose your seat during booking (before the 30-hour check-in window)
✅ Use a credit card that earns points if you fly often — it could help with upgrades!
Check-In & Airport Experience
Etihad airline economy class experience
Finally, flight day arrived! Check-in was super easy via the Etihad mobile app — much better than years ago when everything had to be done at the counter. Of course, you can still check in at the airport, but be prepared for long queues (unless you’re flying Business Class).
Even though my flight was at 7am, the airport was already crowded. I woke up at midnight to get there early and I’m glad I did — I only waited about 10 minutes to check in, but soon after, I saw a long line forming behind me.
Check-In Summary:
- ✅ Staff were polite and efficient
- ✅ Baggage allowance: 25kg checked bag + 7kg cabin bag
- ✅ App check-in was smooth and convenient
After security, I had a quick look at the shops and then headed to the gate (it was announced about 45 minutes before departure).
Etihad Economy Class Review – Cabin & Seat Comfort
Etihad economy seating review
I flew on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and to be honest, the cabin felt just average. My seat looked a bit old, and the cushion wasn’t very comfortable — even for me, and I’m small-sized! It was hard to recline or get cozy.
But the nice part? The welcome pack included hand cream, headphones, and a pillow. I didn’t use any of them, but it’s good to have them provided. Actually the seat is quite older as well.
Funny story: I originally had a window seat, but I have trypophobia, so I asked the passengers next to me if we could switch seats. Luckily, they were super kind and we ended up chatting a lot — one of the highlights of the flight!
Seat Details (Economy):
- Adjustable headrest and footrest
- USB charging port and power outlet at each seat
In-Flight Entertainment & Free Wifi on the plane
Etihad inflight meals review
Etihad’s E-Box system was just okay for me. My screen worked fine, but the guy next to me had a broken screen and couldn’t watch anything. My headphones also glitched sometimes, so I gave up and just read instead.
Entertainment Highlights:
🎥 Not many movie choices
📺 Limited TV shows
🎵 Some music playlists
🕹️ A few games for kids and adults
The touchscreen was responsive and the screen quality was decent. But honestly, the content selection could be better for a long-haul flight. Ah almost forget the free wifi on the plane no need to paid and you can connect for free but just for texting and really slow but still can connect with family that is importance as my mom worried me a lot.
Etihad Economy Class Review – Meals & In-Flight Service
We were served four meals in total — two per flight — and honestly, that was a bit too much for me 😅. Still, I appreciated the effort!
I didn’t get to choose my meals in advance, but the crew asked which option I wanted during service. I’d heard stories about rude service on Etihad, but all the staff I encountered were friendly and polite.
Dinner Options:
- Chicken Biryani (what I had — pretty good!)
- Beef in Pepper Sauce
- Paneer Makhani (vegetarian)
Each meal came with dessert, bread, salad, and water. The dessert was a pudding — too sweet for me, but still nice to try. Drinks (wine, beer, juice) were offered twice, and yes — only 18+ can drink alcohol on board.
Mid-flight snack: Sandwich, chocolate bar, and juice
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, mushrooms, hash browns, and a croissant — quite tasty!
Service Summary:
- ✅ Warm and polite crew
- ✅ Quick response to call buttons
- ✅ Water was served frequently
Cleanliness
The toilet was clean the one time I used it. I didn’t notice any bad smells or mess, which is always a good sign! The walk to the restroom was a bit far, but nothing too bad.
Final
Would I recommend Etihad Airways? Yes — if the price is right! Right now, they’ve been offering great deals — I’ve seen return tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Europe under RM2,000, which is a steal.
The seat and entertainment were pretty average, but the overall experience was smooth. If you haven’t tried Etihad yet, I’d say give it a shot at least once.
When I posted a quick review on social media, some of my followers mentioned they had bad service experiences with Etihad. But personally, I didn’t think it was that bad.
Toward the end of the flight, the in-flight screen showed a prompt asking passengers to rate their experience. Honestly, I could tell that many people around me were frustrated. The man sitting next to me, for example, was clearly uncomfortable — he was quite big in size, and from the moment he sat down, he could barely move. Throughout the flight, he kept adjusting, shaking, and pushing against the seat, which sometimes disturbed me. I even got a bit nervous, thinking he might lose his temper with someone nearby.
Klook.comIt was honestly really hard to stay calm and relaxed, even though it was just a couple of hours. Thank God I made it through that part of the journey!
🌸 For more cozy content, here’s my post on simple joys in daily life.
✈️ Want something travel-themed instead? Read my solo trip to London experience.
🏨 Looking for London hotel? Read this W12 Rooms London Hotel Review | Cozy Stay in the City
Thanks so much for reading.
Have a beautiful day.
— Jerserry 🌸
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