Etihad A321LR First Class Review, Abu Dhabi to Phuket

I flew Etihad’s new narrow-body first class from Abu Dhabi to Phuket, a product that blurs the line between first and business. It’s offered on the Airbus A321LR, a small aircraft with big ambitions. The question I had going in: can a “first class” seat inside a business cabin really feel special? By the end, I had my answer, and a very full stomach.

Ground Experience in Abu Dhabi

Etihad starts strong before you even step inside the terminal. I was picked up by chauffeur and dropped at the dedicated first class entrance. A porter took my bags. Check-in was quick, with a welcome drink of Brazilian lemonade—proof that Etihad’s marketing team watches social media trends. Within minutes I cleared private security and immigration, then rode the elevator up to the First Class Lounge.

Lounge Design and Atmosphere

The lounge stretches vertically rather than horizontally—tall and narrow, with windows on one side and dining areas on the other. It’s bright and modern but not extravagant. The main dining zone features rows of tables and a dedicated Voss water station, which amused my Scandinavian side. There’s also what I call the “fairy rest area,” small circular alcoves for quiet breaks, but no private nap rooms. Resting options are limited to recliners, and the showers are clean and private but compact.

Dining Before the Flight

I came mainly to eat. Etihad recently launched new vegan menus, and I was the first passenger to try them both on the ground and in the air. This was part of an informal collaboration after I offered feedback on their special meal program. It wasn’t sponsored, but Etihad welcomed the input.

The à la carte options were far better than the buffet. I sampled the beetroot carpaccio, carrot-ginger soup, vegan croquettes, and cauliflower steak. Every dish tasted like something from a modern bistro rather than an airline lounge. The soup was a standout—smooth, perfectly balanced, slightly sweet. I also tried eggplant involtini, lentil maku, and vegan enchiladas. The cauliflower steak and involtini were the best. I nearly forgot I had a six-hour flight ahead.

Desserts and Drinks

Etihad’s dessert spread deserves a second boarding pass. Banana bread pudding and a chocolate-wrapped tiramisu closed the preflight meal in dramatic fashion. Drinks were abundant: full bar service, espresso drinks, and mocktails. My only gripe—no matcha latte, which felt like a missed opportunity given the Brazilian lemonade at check-in.

Boarding and Cabin Overview

Boarding from Abu Dhabi’s gate area is standard, but here’s the first sign of compromise. Everyone boards through the same front door, walking through first class. That’s unusual for this cabin type and disrupts the luxury tone, though the crew handled it gracefully. My flight attendants, Anas and Suri, were excellent—calm, genuine, and quick to adapt to a few hiccups during the flight.

The A321LR features three cabins: 144 economy seats, 14 in business, and just two first class seats—1A and 1F—set in the same cabin as business. There’s no curtain or bulkhead dividing them, so visually it looks like one large business section. The first class seats, however, have larger ottomans and slightly more personal space.

Seat and Layout

The seats are reverse herringbone, unusual for a narrow-body aircraft, giving each passenger direct aisle access in a 1-1 configuration for first class. Materials and finishes are identical to business class, which makes the “first” label purely about the soft product—service, food, and amenities. I didn’t mind the look, but Etihad could have added small touches, like unique color accents, to make it visually distinct.

Storage is limited. I had a compartment for headphones, a small cubby for a bottle of water, and one surface next to the seat. There’s a USB-C port rated at 60W, plus a universal AC outlet. Wireless charging is also built in, but it’s slow. My tray table was defective and wouldn’t latch. The crew tried several times, then moved me to 1F where everything worked fine. It was a good reminder of how having only two seats in first makes technical issues more consequential.

Business vs First Comparison

To compare, I sat briefly in 2F, a business class seat behind mine. The space felt noticeably tighter, especially around the legs. On a wide-body jet, you’d have side clearance, but here you must angle slightly to exit. Business still gets nice bedding and decent storage, yet the difference in spaciousness between rows 1 and 2 is clear. The forward row feels open and calm, while the rest feels compact. That physical difference, combined with the upgraded service, justifies the modest premium.

Onboard Service and Welcome

Boarding drinks included the signature Etihad lemon mint served in a champagne glass, Arabic coffee, and dates. The welcome felt polished and calm despite the narrow-body layout. Hot and cold towels were offered. Shortly after takeoff, I was served a trio of amuse-bouches: olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a tofu-watermelon bite with pesto. All flavorful and beautifully plated.

Menus and Meal Service

The difference between first and business here lies mostly in food and drink. Etihad serves caviar and multiple appetizers in first, plus five mains, four desserts, and even breakfast options on an evening flight. That’s an enormous amount of choice for six hours. In business, the menu shrinks to a smaller selection with no snacks or breakfast. The drink lists also differ entirely—an unusual but welcome touch.

Vegan Trial Menu

My special vegan trial menu was expansive: three appetizers, four mains, three desserts, four breakfasts, and four snacks. I obviously couldn’t finish it all but tried as much as possible. Highlights included the Thai salad roll, split pea soup, and vegan tart. Everything was plated thoughtfully, with good seasoning and texture. Etihad managed to make inflight vegan food taste fresh and balanced, not heavy or dry.

Business Class Catering Comparison

Oscar, traveling in business, received a similar vegan menu but with simpler dishes: mezza platter, tofu curry, Emirati tared, quinoa pilaf, and truffle Alfredo. He loved the mezza and caprese salad. Side by side, the difference between cabins is clear—the same creativity but more limited variety in business.

Amenities and Sleep Setup

Etihad provides a Giorgio Armani amenity kit in first class, one of the best in the industry for usefulness alone. I use mine regularly on other trips. Inside were pajamas, slippers, and skincare products. The pajamas are soft and loose-fitting, maybe too loose, but comfortable for lounging. The blanket was plush, and the pillow large and firm. Etihad’s beds are known for being on the firm side, yet this was softer than their A380 Apartments. It’s still medium-firm but finally comfortable for longer flights.

Cabin Comfort and Noise

The A321LR is quieter than expected but bumpier than a wide-body. Airflow and temperature were well managed, and each seat has its own air vent. The lavatories are tiny, especially the forward one, but stocked with premium toiletries and feature a foot pedal for the bin. I ended up preferring the mid-cabin lavatory, which is slightly roomier.

IFE and Connectivity

The A321LR features Etihad’s updated inflight entertainment system with Bluetooth audio, a big improvement. The screen is bright and responsive, and menus load quickly. Content variety felt solid with movies and series refreshed for the season. The headphones, however, remain a weak spot—they’re functional but not premium. Wi-Fi was free for all passengers, with speeds good enough for browsing and messaging, though it cuts out over India due to regulations. That blackout lasted for most of the flight’s middle stretch.

Snacks and Final Courses

Four hours in, I was still being served dishes. Beyond Meat sliders, eggplant baos with spicy mayo, and a three-bean ragu followed the main courses. The crew worked hard and remained cheerful, even as the galley filled with trays. Every dish was presented as if it were the first. Finally came dessert: a trio of vegan pastries decorated with gold leaf raspberries and chocolate pearls. These could have been served at a Paris pâtisserie. I was stunned that an airline could pull this off at 35,000 feet.

Collectibles and Farewell

As we began descent, the purser and flight attendant stopped by to thank me personally and offer new collectible Arabic coffee cups featuring destination artwork. I was allowed to take two, a small but memorable souvenir. The gesture summed up the trip: personal, thoughtful, and fun.

Value and Pricing Context

This is where Etihad’s strategy shines. On this route, first class started around USD 2,150, while business averaged USD 1,770. That’s about a USD 380 difference, sometimes as little as USD 200 with certain fare combinations. Compare that with Emirates, where first class to Phuket costs about USD 4,200. Given the soft product and lounge access, Etihad’s version is one of the best-value premium experiences available right now.

• First class pricing often just USD 200–400 above business class
• Identical seat shell but extra space and upgraded amenities
• Distinct menus and drink lists between cabins
• Free Wi-Fi and attentive two-person crew
• Access to Etihad’s top-tier lounge and chauffeur service

Ratings

Why This Flight Surprised Me

I expected Etihad’s new narrow-body first class to feel like a downgrade, but it ended up being one of the most enjoyable flights I’ve taken. The hardware is still business class, yet the food, service, and pricing create a package that feels fresh and grounded in value. As long as the fare stays near where it launched, this is one of the smartest upgrades you can buy on a short to medium-haul route out of Abu Dhabi.