Boeing 777
Flight Number EY 470
Seat 2K
Departing from Abu Dhabi at 22:50
Boeing 787
Flight Number EY 470
Seat 2A
Departing from Abu Dhabi at 22:45
I flew this route on both the 777 and 787 in first class about one year apart and I feel it makes the most sense to group this into one review since the experiences were quite similar. Singapore is one of just a few Asian routes which is operated with a first class cabin, which is usually operated by a 777, though several flights are operated by a 787.
Airport Experience
Etihad offers a seamless ground experience for passengers originating in Abu Dhabi with a private first class entrance, check in area, security, and passport control which lets you out just steps away from the first class lounge entrance.
Connecting passengers however may need to walk quite a bit to get to the lounge and then back to their boarding gate.
Etihad offers an excellent lounge with some great amenities such as complementary spa treatments, a gym, and an extensive food and drinks menu.
First Class Dining Area
First Class Lounge Bar
Boarding
I’m not sure whether this is always the case for the Singapore flight, but each time I’ve taken this flight, we departed from a remote gate and needed to take a bus to the aircraft. There was no special bus for first and business class which was pretty disappointing, however once I stepped onto the plane, I forgot about the annoying bus ride completely!
First Class Cabin
Boeing 777
The 777 first class cabin consists of 8 seats in a 1 – 2 – 1 configuration all facing forward. The window seats are of course ideal for individuals while the middle seats are meant for couples traveling together.
Etihad First Class Middle Seats
Despite being the older of the two, the cabin looks elegant with calm colors and beautiful lighting.
Boeing 787
The 787 first class cabin consists of 8 seats in a 1 – 2 – 1 configuration, with seats 1D, 1G, 2A, and 2K facing forward and the others facing backward. The window seats are of course ideal for individuals while the middle seats are meant for couples traveling together.
The 787 cabin design is similar to the 777 with some minor differences, most notably the absence of the large oval light piece on the ceiling and a more modern looking outer shell of the suites.
First Class Suite
Boeing 777
Etihad’s 777 first class suites are elegant, spacious, and private with a cushy leather seat and ottoman which can be used as a companion seat.
Along the window is a wooden surface which offers some storage, seat and lighting controls, a minibar, and also holds the dining table within.
Just above the ottoman is a large IFE screen offering a nice content selection.
Lastly, each suite features an individual closet with space for a change of clothes.
Boeing 787
The 787 first class suite is simply a modified version of the 777 suites with a more modern interior and a larger IFE screen.
It too features a cushy leather seat as well as an ottoman that doubles as a companion seat. At either side of the seat are seat and lighting controls, minibar, closet, and other small storage compartments.
IFE + Ottoman
Minibar
Closet 
Food and Drinks
Both flights departed in the late evening and offered dine on demand, meaning you can select anything off the menu at any point during the flight.
Etihad offers their signature lounge and grill menu for first class passengers on all flights which includes a variety of meats and fish cooked to order with a choice of sides and sauces. Etihad also offers full dinner and breakfast menus with Arabic, Western, and Asian delicacies, all certified Halal.
Boeing 777
The menu read as follows:
Having just stuffed myself in the lounge, I didn’t have much of an appetite though I tried to sample as much as possible.
To start, I had a small bowl of both the harira and tomato and ginger soups; both were excellent.
For my main I had the steak frittes (as recommended by the chef) which was nicely presented and came with a small salad. The dish was tasty, however I could hardly finish half of it after eating so much in the lounge.
I went a bit overboard with the red wine on this flight!
With only one other first class passenger on this flight, the crew prepared some special drinks for us and we all chatted in the galley for a bit before heading back to our suites to get some rest.
In order to maximize sleep on this flight, I decided not to wake up for breakfast.
Boeing 787
The menu read as follows:
The drinks menu was identical to the previous flight so I won’t include it again.
Having just come from a connecting flight and a two-hour lounge visit, I wasn’t particularly hungry going into this flight.
Looking for something light, I asked for a small bowl of both the tomato and lemongrass, and spinach and lentil soups which were both tasty.
For my main, I went with the chef’s special which was a beef tenderloin with a mustard crust and a side of mashed potatoes and greens. Overall this was one of the best beef dishes I’ve ever had on a plane!
I had a glass of red wine to go with the meal (not 4 this time) and some soda from the minibar.
Again I chose to sleep through breakfast which didn’t look all that exciting. I knew some nice options were waiting for me in Singapore!
I really wish I had tried more food on both flights. Etihad’s dishes were tasty and well presented, though unfortunately the food offered in the lounge was too attractive to pass up.
Service
Boeing 777
Service on this flight was spectacular with more crew working in first class than first class passengers!
Service started as soon as I sat down with a glass of champagne, Arabic dates, a warm towel, and personal note from the crew brought on a silver tray. The crew happily went over the seat features and explained the services available on the flight.
Before takeoff I was brought a set of pajamas and slippers, menus, amenity kit, and noise cancelling headphones.
The chef was incredibly helpful in making the dinner service a memorable one, always offering more things to try which I unfortunately couldn’t.
Because my half of the cabin was empty, the crew offered to make any other suite into a bed for me so I could leave my suite in seat position. I had an extremely pleasant sleep in my suite with the doors closed and the ceiling lit up like the night sky.
Boeing 787
After a nearly empty flight on the 777 I expected about the same on this flight; to my surprise, the first class cabin was completely full. While the crew didn’t have as much time to interact with each passenger, the service was still excellent.
Service began with a glass of champagne, Arabic dates, and a warm towel brought on a silver tray. I was then brought the in flight menus, pajamas, and amenity kit, and given a brief tour of the 787 suite.
Dinner was promptly served and the in-flight chef was happy to recommend dishes and kept the service moving at a nice pace.
After dinner the crew kindly turned my seat into a bed. After closing my suite door, I slowly dozed off and woke up as we were approaching Singapore.
Bottom Line
Etihad offers an excellent first class product on both the 777 and 787 aircrafts with closed door suites, excellent service, and an impressive food and beverages menu. While Etihad is most famous for its A380 first class apartments, the 777 and 787 first class suites are still an excellent way to fly and I can’t wait to fly with them again.