Etihad Airways Etihad Guest - Questions on dining options for flights in F (plus more)

Hello all,

I'm considering redeeming miles for a flight from AUH to Europe and have questions regarding dining options in F.

1. Basically, what meals are served on flights departing at the following times to LHR:

EY11: 02:35
EY19: 08:30
EY17: 13:30

As I'm not particularly constrained by time and I want to have as comprehensive an experience as possible (mostly for a trip report!), I would prefer to take the flight which has the best food service. I'm presuming it would be the flight departing at 13:30, with a full lunch service? How is the flight at 02:35 - is it just light snacks?

2. Also, what is the food like in the lounge? And how do the offerings differ by time of the day - less elaborate after a certain time, for example?

3. And the other thing is, I am aware that the onboard chef (which I found less than glowing reports about) is onboard flights to LHR - is the menu different for the flights to CDG, presumably with no onboard chef?

4. Finally, if the difference in miles do make a difference but not a very big one (i.e. I'll be buying AA miles either way but the difference in cost from miles required is not the end of the world), would I be crazy to consider redeeming in J instead? Strangely, people seem to be more satisfied in J than F - maybe a result of being more cost effective.

I thought for AUH-LHR, on demand dining is served on all flights. So you would have an exhaustive menu where you chose what you like whenever. Check out the trip reports in F here and you'll find the menus pretty much similar.
As far as the F lounge in AUH is concerned, it is also on demand dining too.

As far as difference between J and F, well apart from the seating, separate lounge area and the increase weight allowance it is pretty much the same. For a 7 hour sector I doubt it will be THAT much different, specially if the loads are light in J.

The Skychefs take breaks, however outside of these you should be able to order on demand. On SYD-AUH they take a 5 hour break!

The food in the F lounge is significantly better. I recall a breakfast menu in the morning, and a different menu for lunch and dinner.

Can anyone confirm that EY11 dep. 02:35 has the same meal options as the other flights? I'm booked on EY11 and want to make sure I get to experience the dinner service.

Can anyone confirm that EY11 dep. 02:35 has the same meal options as the other flights? I'm booked on EY11 and want to make sure I get to experience the dinner service.

Slightly different question...How much taxes did you have to pay for the ticket? I was looking at LHR-AUH in F, and didn't find any availability, so booked CDG-AUH( with roughly $60 in taxes). I would switch back to LHR-AUH (subject to availability) for number of different reasons, however I am curious about the taxes.

Flew MEL-AUH in F and AUH-DUB in J the other day, and ordered a steak sandwich from Dine Anytime on both legs. The J version, it was rubbery and tough, didn't eat it. The F version was significantly better, restaurant quality, done by the Chef.

Regarding the cabin, I much prefer F. I really like the doors.

Slightly different question...How much taxes did you have to pay for the ticket? I was looking at LHR-AUH in F, and didn't find any availability, so booked CDG-AUH( with roughly $60 in taxes). I would switch back to LHR-AUH (subject to availability) for number of different reasons, however I am curious about the taxes.

Premium passenger taxes out of the UK are insanely high (you'll be looking at many hundreds of $s), stay with CDG