Etihad 787 First Class Review 2026: Seats, Food & Best Seat

What Is Etihad 787-9 First Class?

Etihad 787-9 First Class is a single-aisle suite product offered on nine of Etihad's 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The cabin features eight suites in a 1-1-1 layout across two rows. Each suite has a fully closing door, a minibar, a 23-inch entertainment screen, and a separate Poltrona Frau leather seat that converts to a 79-inch fully flat bed. The cabin is distinguished by its privacy, but the width is narrower than the A380 First Apartment.

Etihad refers to this cabin as the First Studio, and it competes with the best business class suites from other airlines — but is not quite on par with the full First Apartments on the A380. The product is available on routes from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to destinations including New York (JFK), London (LHR), Sydney (SYD), and Singapore (SIN).

Food and Dining

The dining experience on Etihad 787 First Class is a strong point. Meals are served on Royal Doulton china with Robert Welch cutlery. Dinner includes a choice of multiple appetizers, a main course such as slow-cooked lamb shank or grilled sea bass, and a cheese course with a selection of seven cheeses. Breakfast options include caviar, freshly baked pastries, and a full à la carte menu.

Champagne is Dom Pérignon 2013, and the wine list includes Château Margaux and Krug Grande Cuvée. Service is attentive and French-style, with the cabin crew addressing passengers by name. The meal is paced over two to three hours, not rushed. Overall, the food quality is comparable to Emirates First Class and superior to Qatar Airways Qsuite business class.

Lounge Access

Etihad First Class passengers departing from Abu Dhabi use the Etihad First Class Lounge in Terminal 3. The lounge offers a full à la carte dining room, a cigar lounge, a spa with complimentary 15-minute treatments, and a quiet zone with private daybeds. The champagne bar pours Dom Pérignon. During peak hours, the lounge can be crowded, but the service remains attentive. For passengers connecting, the lounge is accessible at AUH before your flight.

The Etihad 787-9 First Studio cabin has eight suites in a 1-1-1 layout across rows 11 and 12. All suites have direct aisle access. Here is the breakdown of which seats to choose and which to avoid.

Row 11 (front row): These suites are slightly larger than row 12 because they are located closer to the front bulkhead. They offer more footwell space and feel more spacious. Seat 11A (left window) and 11K (right window) are the best private seats. Seat 11E (center) is ideal for couples, but offers less privacy from the aisle.

Row 12 (rear row): These suites are slightly smaller and have a slightly more tapered footwell. Seat 12A and 12K are the most private window seats. Seat 12E is center and less private. Avoid seat 12K if you are concerned about galley noise: the galley is directly behind row 12, and crew activity can be audible during meal service.

In summary, aim for 11A or 11K. Avoid 12K if you are sensitive to galley noise. All seats are good, but the front row is marginally better.

Etihad 787 First Studio sits in a curious position. It is a genuine first class product in cabin width and service, but its single-aisle layout and seat width (23 inches) mean it is closer to the best business class suites than the full first class cabins on the A380 or Emirates 777. Here is how it compares to the major competitors.

Is It Worth It?

✅ YES if:

• You value a fully enclosed door and absolute privacy (better than almost any business class).
• Food quality and Champagne (Dom Pérignon) matter more than seat width.
• You are flying on a route where the 787 is the only option (e.g., AUH–JFK, AUH–SYD) and you want first class.

❌ NO if:

• You can book Etihad A380 First Apartment instead — the A380 cabin is larger and more luxurious.
• Seat width and personal space are your top priority; consider Emirates or Singapore First.
• You are on a tight budget and want maximum value per mile; Qsuite business class often costs fewer miles and offers similar privacy.

Booking Etihad 787 First Class with miles requires strategy, as award availability is limited to 1-2 seats per flight. Here are the best programs in 2026.

Flying Blue (Air France-KLM): Flying Blue is the best partner program for Etihad First Class. One-way awards from Abu Dhabi to the US cost 88,000 miles in first class (peak) and 70,000 miles (off-peak). These are excellent rates, especially off-peak. Flying Blue runs monthly Promo Rewards that sometimes include Etihad at 25% off.

Etihad Guest: Direct booking with Etihad Guest miles often costs more — approximately 120,000 miles one-way from AUH to JFK. However, Etihad Guest occasionally releases member-only award seats at lower rates. The advantage of Etihad Guest is easier access to cancellations and changes.

American Express Membership Rewards: You can transfer MR points to both Flying Blue (1:1) and Etihad Guest (1:1). Given Flying Blue's lower rates, MR-to-Flying Blue is the better option.

Chase Ultimate Rewards: Chase does not transfer directly to Etihad or Flying Blue. However, you can transfer to United MileagePlus, which does not currently have a published award chart for Etihad. Book via Flying Blue or Etihad Guest directly.

Citi ThankYou Points: Citi transfers to Etihad Guest (1:1), but not Flying Blue. Etihad Guest is the better option here.

Expert Tips

• Always check the aircraft registration (not just flight number) before booking. Not all Etihad 787-9s have First Class — only nine do, and some have no first class. Confirm on a seat map or call Etihad Guest.
• Set an AwardFares alert for AUH-US routes at the Flying Blue off-peak rate (70,000 miles).
• Book as early as possible — Etihad releases award seats 330 days before departure. Check at midnight UAE time for the best availability.
• If using Flying Blue, look for Promo Rewards discounts, which can drop rates to as low as 56,000 miles off-peak.
• If paying cash, compare the fare against points value. At Flying Blue's 70,000 mile rate and cash fares around $4,000–$5,000, you get about 5.7-7.1 cents per mile — excellent value.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Booking without checking the aircraft type: some Etihad 787s have no first class. You could end up in business class.
• Paying cash when miles offer excellent value: with Flying Blue off-peak rates, miles are worth 5-7 cents each. Cash fares above $4,000 are better booked with points.
• Assuming all 787 First Studios are the same: row 11 is better than row 12. Check the seat map before confirming.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

Etihad 787 First Studio is a strong product that offers genuine first class privacy and dining, but in a single-aisle form factor. For travelers who value privacy above all else, it competes closely with Qsuite. However, if you can find the A380 First Apartment, the 787 version is a clear second best. Rating: 8.4/10.

This review is for informational purposes only and does not constitute travel advice. Award availability and fares change frequently — verify with the airline or booking partner before traveling.