Etihad opens arrivals lounge for premium fliers at Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways is making a determined bid to attract premium customers in a big way and has upped the ante now. UAE’s national carrier has opened up a new front on the ground to aggressively compete with its rival Middle East carriers, which are increasingly adding luxurious facilities in order to keep their premium customers more than happy.

Etihad Airways recently inaugurated its new arrivals lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport exclusively for its premium customers. The lounge will offer a 10-minute clothes steaming service and will have shower units as well. This luxurious facility will be the first arrivals lounge in the world to be operated by Etihad Airways. The male passengers can also look forward to get a complimentary wet shave by expert barbers.

The airline is presently operating 11 airport lounges across the world, including the newly-opened arrivals lounge and the existing first and business class lounges at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said has once again set the benchmark against some of the world’s leading restaurants and hotels in providing the fabled warmth of Arabian hospitality and high-class luxurious facilities.

Presently, Middle East carriers such as Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways are competing with each other by adding luxury twists to lounges and cabins for pampering their respective premium customers. These three leading carriers are aiming to attract more first and business class passengers by enhancing the premium travel experience.

Etihad Airways has started offering premium travel experience to its customers starting from May this year by prominently featuring business studios, apartments and private suites on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 aircrafts.

Not to lag behind, Emirates Airlines decided to go a step further and said that it will be introducing a “bedroom concept”, mainly focusing on privacy of its premium customers.