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In this trip report, I review my flight in Business Class or “Pearl Business” on Etihad Airways 787-900 Dreamliner in the “Business Etihad Studio” from Brisbane to Abu Dhabi. The Dreamliner replaces the Airbus A300 planes that used to connect this route via Singapore.

We have published several trip reports about my recent flights with Etihad, in Business and First Class. You can read these reviews below:

Review: Air New Zealand Airport Lounge In Brisbane Airport

The new, stylish Air New Zealand lounge comes complete with private shower suites, tarmac views, plenty of comfy seats, and a buffet area. The food on offer includes a big choice of wraps and sandwiches, hot soup with rolls, mains of seasoned chicken and sweets of muffins, scones with jam and cream, and profiteroles.

Business Class Cabin & Seat

Etihad’s 787-900 Dreamliner features Business Studio seats. These seating booths offer a fully flat bed of up to 204cm, complete with the Etihad turndown service (including a mattress, cotton pajamas, and slippers). Each seat has aisle access, and there are plenty of useful surfaces and tables, storage, plus a footrest. Four lighting choices create the perfect mood in your Business Studio, ranging from dimmable reading and table lights to pretty mood lighting.

Each Pearl Business Class Seat has an 18.5-inch LCD screen with the usual films, TV shows, TV channels, audio programs, and CDs. In-flight telephones and Wi-Fi are also available on newer planes.

What are the best seats on Etihad’s B787-9 Dreamliner?

See Etihad seat map. We prefer the A & K window seats, which face forward and, of course, have aisle access. I would not choose seats 5 C & H, which are facing backward and are the seats that are closest to the toilet doors for passing traffic.

Before takeoff, an amenity kit was offered to all Business Class passengers. The Etihad amenity kit features in my top 10 airline amenity kits. It comes in a small bag and contains a range of skin products, including hand lotion and lip balm, as well as the usual essentials (eyeshades, earplugs, dental kit, etc.).

Food On Etihad

Once I was seated, I was offered a glass of water, orange juice, or Champagne, along with a hot towel. Soon after takeoff, dinner was served.

  • Starter
  • Rare seared tuna with citrus salad
  • Main
  • Grass-fed fillet of beef served with morel mushroom sauce, seasonable vegetables, roast potatoes, and red onion jam
  • Vietnamese barramundi, sambal wrapped in banana leaf served with coconut rice and stir-fried vegetables
  • Trio of Arabic koftas: beef, lamb, and chicken with tomato basil sauce, sayadiah rice, asparagus spears, pumpkin, and grilled peppers
  • Roasted vegetable terrine with coriander pesto cream sauce and sun-dried tomato
  • Dessert
  • Lemon tart served warm with crème anglaise
  • Citrus cheesecake with lemon-orange segments and cinnamon glaze
  • Seasonal fresh fruit
  • A selection of ice cream flavors

A separate ‘all day’ menu also provides food that you can order at any time throughout the flight.

About 60 minutes before landing in Abu Dhabi, I had a breakfast of passionfruit smoothie, yogurt with granola, and stewed apple.

At Abu Dhabi, Business Class passengers can access the Etihad Airways arrivals lounge, where they can have another breakfast and use the showers.

Etihad Airways has the ultimate First Class offering on their A380s with The Residence (featuring a private living room, separate en-suite shower room, and a bedroom with a double bed). We have a full review of a last in the Etihad First Class Apartment.

Etihad also features in our comparison of Emirates, Etihad and Qatar in Business Class and Emirates Vs. Etihad First Class Suites as well as our top 10 airlines for Business Class.

Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.