Putting Etihad’s business class to the test on a Sydney to London flight operated by an A380 and 777

Travelling across the globe at five months’ pregnant isn’t an exciting prospect for any mum-to-be.

The thought of 24 hours in the air and time spent waiting in airports wasn’t something I was relishing when I booked a flight from Sydney to London, via Abu Dhabi.

The general discomfort of being pregnant combined with the frequent need to pee, paired with the light sleep associated with the second trimester could have been a recipe for absolute disaster and severe jet lag.

Thankfully, I’m flying business class with Etihad for the duration of my trip and the combination of services and always-on food offering, the seating and the lounge facilities proved an absolute godsend to alleviating those tedious pregnancy woes.

If you’re able to spare the cash for an upgrade to business on such a long-haul flight when pregnant, the experience is well worth it – even if you can’t take full advantage of the extensive drinks menu…

Too close for comfort? The middle seats on the Boeing 777 flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi are spacious but they are extremely close together 

THE CHECK-IN AND LOUNGE

My journey begins at Sydney Airport check-in, where I’m given a fast-track pass through security, allowing me to breeze through in record time.

There’s what looks like an hour-long queue snaking its way to the X-ray machines and I’m glad I don’t have to endure heaving my hand luggage around the winding lane.

This speedy process means I have more time in Etihad’s The House lounge, which is open to business and first class customers and loyalty members. The House isn’t the largest lounge I’ve ever been in, but it’s definitely the quietest. 

Despite there being around 15 other customers in the space, it has a spa waiting room feel rather than an airport lounge and the peace is maintained with visual-only flight announcements.

Dine before your flight? You can enjoy a meal prior to boarding at Etihad’s The House lounge at Sydney Airport 

Amenities: You can enjoy a quick bite to eat before your flight (left) at Etihad’s The House lounge or take a shower (right)

Room for the kids: The House has a dedicated Family Room to entertain kids (left). There is a bar with comfy seats for the adults (right)

For those feeling particularly peckish pre-flight there is the option to sit in the dining room and feast on a menu of soup, warm goat’s cheese crostini, porcini gnocchi, chicken musakhan, braised brisket burger or a cheese plate.

I bypass the dining and bar areas instead opting for a soft drink and a pastry, while taking in the view of planes coming and going.

As well as pristine toilet and shower facilities, The House also has a business centre and a family room to keep little ones entertained, not that I’m in need of that just yet.

THE BUSINESS CLASS CABIN – SYDNEY TO ABU DHABI

I have to admit that I enjoy the thrill of being invited to take Door A, the walkway to The Residence, first and business class seats, instead of Door B with the majority of the flight to economy.

My first flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi is on a Boeing 777, a slightly older plane in the Etihad fleet with 40 seats in the business class cabin arranged in a 1-2-1 formation.

My seat is in the middle of the cabin and initially it seems a little too close to my male neighbour for comfort – I’m practically sitting shoulder to shoulder with him.

This is quickly rectified by Brad, the cabin manager, who soon restores order and gives me back some privacy by pulling the partition up between the seats. It would be great if you’re a couple travelling together – not so great if you’re sitting next to a random person.

Although the partition separates us I can still see my neighbour’s screen, which will prove annoyingly distracting at times, my attention continually being drawn back to whatever is on his screen rather than my own.

On the plus side, the touch-screen TV is quite big – 15.4 inches – and you get noise-cancelling headphones. 

Too close for comfort? The seat configuration on the Boeing 777 flight puts two seats close together. Even with the partition up, your next door neighbour’s screen is visible

The seat is also sizeable. It extends to 6ft 2in when flat. Being 5ft 6in this space allows me to really stretch out and recline. 

As I get comfy I unpack the Acqua Di Parma amenity kit, leaving the eye-mask and body cream on the table for use later.

Sadly I have to refuse the offer of a chilled glass of Piper-Heidsieck cuvee brut Champagne before take-off, although it does look incredibly inviting. I opt instead for a glass of sparkling water.

Little treats: Business class customers are gifted with Acqua Di Parma amenity sets and the brand’s products are also available in the bathrooms

Despite not being able to indulge in the drinks menu I still have a good perusal. 

In the white wine section there’s the Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2017 (which retails for £16) and Pebble Row Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (£9). If you fancy a red you can opt for the Bordeaux blend Chateau Pontet Reynaud Graves 2016 (£9) or the ‘Tscharke Shiraz Shiraz Shiraz’ 2016 (£12). 

If I was drinking I’d stick to the champagne or indulge in the Chivas Regal 18-year-old single malt whiskey to make the most of the cost of the ticket, but that’s just me.

What’ll it be? The all-day dining menu and the drinks menu are both available throughout the flight, not that Sarah can indulge in the alcohol

Whilst the extensive wine and alcoholic beverage list are of little use to me, the all-day dining concept really proves to be invaluable – as a pregnant woman there is nothing worse than feeling a pang of hunger and realising you have no snacks to hand.

Hangry does not cover it.

Mere moments after takeoff Brad dutifully reappears ready to take my order for dinner. Guests can dine from the all-day menu as well as the a la carte menu and as the flight is overnight, the meals are dinner-focused. 

First up I enjoy the Arabic mezze plate, which consists of hummus, a vine leaf roll, flatbread, a large olive, tabbouleh and an unidentified pastry of some kind. The white tablecloth, cutlery and glassware are just little reminders of where you are sitting – no plastic in sight.

While the starter is delicious the main course – pan-fried barramundi with rocket and pesto mash, broccolini, beetroot, tomato, caper and lemon butter sauce – is a mixed bag. The fish is deliciously succulent and cooked to perfection but sadly the broccolini is a tad overdone and bland. Although stuffed I make attempts to finish my salted caramel Häagen-Dazs ice cream dessert but am defeated.

Starter:  The Arabic mezze plate starter, which consists of hummus, a vine leaf roll, flatbread, a large olive, tabbouleh and an unidentified pastry of some kind. The white tablecloth, cutlery and glassware are just little reminders of where you are sitting – no plastic in sight

A mixed bag: The main course consists of pan-fried barramundi, which is delicious but the broccolini is overdone and bland 

Ice cream: Dessert came in the form of Häagen-Dazs ice cream

While most people in the cabin end their meal with a glass of wine or something stronger I stick to water, despite being tempted by the Cipriani Bellini mocktail, I decide I’ve definitely consumed enough. 

Full and content I make my way to the toilet to change into comfier clothes. The bathrooms are a little more luxurious and spacious than in economy with Acqua Di Parma products for use, but the main benefit of being in business is that because there are more toilets per person I never have to wait to use the facilities.

As a pregnant lady I never quite know when nature will call, so this proves to be extremely helpful and comforting during the flight.

With the cabin lights dimmed it’s time to extend the seat and make the most of the room available. I snuggle up with the warm blanket and drift off really quickly and end up enjoying uninterrupted sleep for more than nine hours – I actually sleep for longer than I do on a normal night in my own bed.

Despite having plans to enjoy a snack and a walk around the cabin upon waking, all of a sudden it’s nearly time for the plane to land. I’m almost annoyed at myself for not making the most of the food available. But I’m feeling refreshed.

THE LOUNGE AT ABU DHABI

Exiting the plane in Abu Dhabi I find myself escorted to a plush seat aboard a terminal transfer bus that’s for premium class passengers only. Everyone has a seat, in contrast to the economy bus.

Spa life: The Six Senses Spa at Abu Dhabi airport offers guests the opportunity to enjoy massages, body treatments or facials in between flights. Sadly Sarah didn’t make it 

I fully intend to pay a visit to the Six Senses Spa at Abu Dhabi airport, which is situated in Terminal 3. Guests travelling in first and business can ease travel stress with a 15 or 25-minute tension-releasing massage, body treatment or facial at the venue, although these incur an additional cost. 

I never actually make it – my transfer is only a couple of hours and by the time I make it through security and have indulged in a bit of duty-free shopping it’s time to board the plane again, with the benefit of priority boarding once again.

THE BUSINESS CLASS CABIN – ABU DHABI TO LONDON HEATHROW

The second leg of my journey takes place on an Airbus A380 and following check-in I make my way to the upper deck, which houses the premium seats and cabins. It’s an even bigger thrill than boarding the first flight.

The seats, again in a 1-2-1 formation, have much better privacy and although I’m in sitting in the middle once more, tables and cleverly placed partitions keep my neighbour at a much more comfortable distance.

That’s better: The seating configuration on the second flight, an Airbus A380, gets the thumbs up from Sarah for privacy and she likes the modern decor

Plenty of room: The seats on the Airbus A380 recline to a whopping 6ft 8 inches in length. Which proves perfect for a good night’s sleep 

Aisle access: Every seat in business class has direct access to an aisle – meaning trips to the toilet or to stretch your legs are much easier than in economy. Perfect for anyone travelling while pregnant 

This cabin is more modern, the décor is darker and more aesthetically pleasing and the bar and lounge area available to business class passengers is much bigger. 

This proves useful later in the flight when I want to enjoy a stroll and a stretch and a change in scenery.

There are more business class seats on the A380, 70 in total, and the seat space is bigger too. This seat reclines to a whopping 6 feet 8 inches, with a 22-inch width and the TV screen has grown to 18.5 inches. 

Cheers: The bar and lounge area on the Airbus A380 offers guests an opportunity to congregate and enjoy a drink or a snack (stock image from Etihad) 

Breakfast? The breakfast menu caters to all tastes  

Despite sleeping so much on the first flight I still manage to cram in another solid four hours sleep during the seven-hour flight, which quite frankly I’m astonished by. 

Unlike the first leg, I make the most of the dining facilities, enjoying a meal just after take-off and just before landing. My first is an asparagus and brie omelette with potato and spinach rosti, beef sausage, mushrooms and tomato, with an accompanying selection of bread and pastries. It’s delicious and filling. 

For round two I opt for natural yoghurt and a berry compote. 

When deciding on my second meal of the flight the helpful cabin staff remind me of my earlier choice and offer recommendations, akin to a familiar server at your favourite restaurant.

Breakfast is served: An asparagus and brie omelette with potato and spinach rosti, beef sausage, mushrooms and tomato, with an accompanying selection of bread and pastries

Round two: The all-day dining option means that meals can be ordered at any time during the flight – a godsend to ward off any pregnancy cravings 

Sarah Fitzmaurice arrives in London feeling refreshed and relaxed after her journey from Sydney 

All too soon it’s time to land and my journey is coming to an end. It’s 6am in London and I’m heading straight for the office. I had dreaded this moment and thought I would be feeling pretty exhausted at this point.

The opposite is true. I feel well-rested, having enjoyed 13 hours of sleep in the 20 hours I’ve been in the air. I’m well fed, well watered and experiencing none of the aches and pains I had anticipated that would come from air travel while pregnant. 

The seats exceeded my expectations massively and I had plenty of room to sleep – I spent most of my trip curled up in the foetal position.

Just before we descend I pop to the toilet for a quick freshen up and I change into my clothes for the day. I’m feeling perky and alert – the most refreshed I’ve ever felt after making this trip. Perhaps it’s also something to do with the lack of alcohol. I’m probably the most hydrated I’ve ever been stepping off the flight.

It does appear though that my appearance has also benefited from the business class trip. 

As I’m standing in line for security at Heathrow a girl turns to me and says: ‘How do you look so glam after such a long flight?’ I’m a little embarrassed but also secretly quite pleased – it’s nice to know I may look as good as I feel.

I somehow manage to evade the dreaded jetlag for the rest of my trip and I’m pretty sure those huge seats in Etihad business, combined with choosing an overnight flight, had a lot to do with it.