Etihad to open ‘spectacular’ new first class lounge at Abu Dhabi airport

Etihad Airways said it will open a “spectacular” new first class lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport in May, as it continues to evolve its offering for premium travellers.

The lounge will be located at Terminal 3 and will be for the exclusive use of First Class guests, Etihad Guest Platinum and Etihad Airways Partners Platinum guests, and those staying in The Residence onboard the airline’s Airbus A380 fleet.

“The new First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi will be the jewel in the crown of our ever-growing global lounge portfolio, a showcase of intelligent design and innovation,‎and the world’s best premium airport experience,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief commercial officer.

Etihad said in a statement that the lounge would be a “state-of-the-art” space combining “modern Arabian design elements and the understated elegance and luxury synonymous with the Etihad Airways brand”.

However, more specific details of the lounge were not immediately available.

Passenger numbers at Abu Dhabi International Airport were up 17.2 per cent in 2015, with more than 23 million travellers passing through its terminals.

Much of the increase was due to the growth of Etihad, which carried 17.4 million passengers in 2015, up 18.4 per cent on the previous year.

In 2014, Etihad took luxury travel to a new level with the introduction of The Residence, featuring three rooms and a dedicated butler, on its A380.

In August, it officially opened its refurbished First and Business Class Lounge at the airport’s Terminal 1.

The lounge measures 1,044 sq m and has seating for 134 guests. It also features a dedicated dining area, state-of-the-art business amenities, complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity, USB power outlets, bathrooms with shower facilities, and a playroom for children.

Abu Dhabi airport is set to expand further with its prestigious Midfield Terminal slated to open on National Day 2017.

Abu Dhabi Airports company said at the end of last year that the new terminal will be 70 per cent complete by the end of this year.