Etihad to open “spectacular” new first class lounge in Abu Dhabi airport

Etihad Airways has announced plans to open a new first class lounge at the Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 3.

In a brief statement, the airline confirmed that the “spectacular” facility, designed around modern Arabian elements, will be unveiled in May 2016.

The lounge will be for the exclusive use of its first class guests, platinum members of its loyalty programme Etihad Guest and those staying in The Residence onboard its Airbus A380 fleet‎.

The Residence by Etihad is an ultra-luxurious three-room suite that includes a living room, separate bedroom and en-suite bathroom.

Guests using the service are also offered a VIP travel concierge service including a luxury chauffeur, private check-in and lounge, an Etihad Butler on board and an inflight chef.

Etihad chief commercial officer Peter Baumgartner said: “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.

“We are confident that it will deliver a product and service which is as highly acclaimed as it is inflight and look forward to unveiling its many unique features.”

The “investment and development” of the facility highlights the airline’s commitment to its top-tier guests, Etihad said.

The fast-growing airline currently flies to or has announced plans to serve 116 destinations worldwide. It has global lounge facilities in Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Manchester, Dublin, Paris, Sydney and Washington, DC. In December, it also opened a premium lounge at the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York.