Last edit by: MatthewLAX
Original discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/etihad-airways-etihad-guest/1624033-f-lounge-auh3-open-still-waiting-2016-a.html
Review with 100+ photos - link (blog)
Review with 100+ photos - link (blog)
F lounge in AUH opened 30MAY2016
#316
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Bangkok and Bristol
Programs: EY, QR Platinum, BA Gold
Posts: 108
For me, this is what made the LH FCT so special: they told us we could forget about the time, that they'd find us and make sure we made it. Brilliant. After a Porsche ride across the tarmac. were the last two people on the plane before the door closed. That's first class service.
#317
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Bangkok and Bristol
Programs: EY, QR Platinum, BA Gold
Posts: 108
I made my first visit to the lounge yesterday afternoon and was extremely disappointed by the entire experience.
I arrived at around 1240 for a 1420 flight, but was immediately told that I would need to leave in about 10-15 minutes so as to be at the gate for boarding promptly at 1305. I told them that was ridiculous since I didn't need 75 minutes to board in First Class, but she insisted that since it was an A380 I had to be there on time.
As a result, I also couldn't order anything from the menu (they said I needed at least 30 minutes to order and consume those due to the lounge being pretty full) and to my utter surprise they had no self-service or other ready snack options available. No nuts, no crisps, no packaged anything - nothing else to snack on if you have less than 30 minutes in the lounge. What a joke for a premium lounge.
One of the waiters suggested that I go to the old lounge instead which I did, and was able to have a quick bite from the buffet there instead. Went to the gate at 1325 and they were just starting boarding, after which we had a further 40 minute delay and only departed at 1500 (the boarding process was also a very poor experience but that is another story).
The entire experience is typically Etihad unfortunately. Over-promise and under-deliver. Very sad that the excellent on board product is complement by this disgraceful ground experience.
I arrived at around 1240 for a 1420 flight, but was immediately told that I would need to leave in about 10-15 minutes so as to be at the gate for boarding promptly at 1305. I told them that was ridiculous since I didn't need 75 minutes to board in First Class, but she insisted that since it was an A380 I had to be there on time.
As a result, I also couldn't order anything from the menu (they said I needed at least 30 minutes to order and consume those due to the lounge being pretty full) and to my utter surprise they had no self-service or other ready snack options available. No nuts, no crisps, no packaged anything - nothing else to snack on if you have less than 30 minutes in the lounge. What a joke for a premium lounge.
One of the waiters suggested that I go to the old lounge instead which I did, and was able to have a quick bite from the buffet there instead. Went to the gate at 1325 and they were just starting boarding, after which we had a further 40 minute delay and only departed at 1500 (the boarding process was also a very poor experience but that is another story).
The entire experience is typically Etihad unfortunately. Over-promise and under-deliver. Very sad that the excellent on board product is complement by this disgraceful ground experience.
#318
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 28
Very disappointed to read about the cuts in lounge service, I'm basically only going with Etihad because they opened a new lounge and its very positive reviews.
Will be there at 11am and especially as its a Friday (next week) what can I expect in terms of passenger volume and services?
I'm a bit of a review geek so will post my experience.
Will be there at 11am and especially as its a Friday (next week) what can I expect in terms of passenger volume and services?
I'm a bit of a review geek so will post my experience.
I love the presumptiveness of the service in first class "your champagne sir, I've ordered you some tapas while you decide what you would like to eat" then she promptly arrives back, removes the ornaments (that our 15 month old could damage) and replaces them with toys.
I agree its probably not the world's best lounge and a transiting passenger may prefer the business lounge. I'm surprised at the recent reports of poor service and would have expected a transiting guest to immediately be offered a quick snack.
#319
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: MM, EK, AB/EY, HH, SPG, etc.
Posts: 380
I have generally only had good experiences there. The really small "buffet" area is at the back of the lounge on the right, it is a bit out of sight, so maybe that's why some posters did not find it. It is not the grandest of lounges (and can get busy at the time of the night flights), especially size-wise, but I quite like that compared to the EK railway stations at DXB. I also appreciate that they also have a barber located at the lounge (like the business lounge).
As to boarding time, you can't take any of the ME3 carriers seriously on this, unless you plan to spend more time at the gate than on the flight 😉 I suspect that has to do with the fact that some of their passengers are notoriously unpredictable as to whether they will turn up on time! Anyway, as someone else has already posted, just plan to get to the gate a few minutes before closing time, and you will be fine.
As to boarding time, you can't take any of the ME3 carriers seriously on this, unless you plan to spend more time at the gate than on the flight 😉 I suspect that has to do with the fact that some of their passengers are notoriously unpredictable as to whether they will turn up on time! Anyway, as someone else has already posted, just plan to get to the gate a few minutes before closing time, and you will be fine.
#320
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 28
At 10am there was defiantly no buffet (not even packaged snacks) I did take a picture of the counter but I cant figure out how to post it. The buffet area contained drinks, a coffee machine and a selection of dates.
Agreed I would never go to the gate at the start of boarding but I wouldn't have the nerve to wait untill they almost close the door.
Agreed I would never go to the gate at the start of boarding but I wouldn't have the nerve to wait untill they almost close the door.
#321
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,637
That doesn't help with getting food though if the lounge staff insist that you don't have enough time to be served based on what is printed on the boarding passes. If there was a self service buffet (and my experience was the same as chriswortley5 - the counter was there but no food laid out) you could grab something quickly. The lounge seems to be designed more as a lifestyle experience rather than a functional space.
#322
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Etihad Platinum. Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 333
That doesn't help with getting food though if the lounge staff insist that you don't have enough time to be served based on what is printed on the boarding passes. If there was a self service buffet (and my experience was the same as chriswortley5 - the counter was there but no food laid out) you could grab something quickly. The lounge seems to be designed more as a lifestyle experience rather than a functional space.
#323
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Etihad Guest Platinum; Accor Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,356
"The lounge seems to be designed more as a lifestyle experience rather than a functional space."
It really does, and for the person not served. The attendant trying to shove you out of the door must have been new, my experience is that they write the realistic leaving time on the boarding card when you enter.
The only reason I can imagine this being the case is to get you through US Preclearance but it doesn't sound like that was what happened
It really does, and for the person not served. The attendant trying to shove you out of the door must have been new, my experience is that they write the realistic leaving time on the boarding card when you enter.
The only reason I can imagine this being the case is to get you through US Preclearance but it doesn't sound like that was what happened
#324
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: MM, EK, AB/EY, HH, SPG, etc.
Posts: 380
Agree, preclearance flights are another matter. Other than that, just give them a later flight (the server is not going to insist on physically inspecting your boarding card...) and you will be fine Come to think of it, no one there taking a food order has ever asked me when my flight was leaving. Maybe that is a new way of reducing catering expenses
As to the "buffet", I have only been there at night, and have seen some small things there, but not very appealing (never had anything, usually order off the snack menu if hungry) and it is tiny anyway. So perhaps it depends on the time of day if they put something out. But agree with the other posters, if they bother with a buffet there should be a decent offering (commensurate with the fact that it is a F lounge) at all times.
As to the "buffet", I have only been there at night, and have seen some small things there, but not very appealing (never had anything, usually order off the snack menu if hungry) and it is tiny anyway. So perhaps it depends on the time of day if they put something out. But agree with the other posters, if they bother with a buffet there should be a decent offering (commensurate with the fact that it is a F lounge) at all times.
#325
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: FRA
Programs: EY Guest Platinum; A3 Gold; Delta Platinum, BA Silver, IHG Gold
Posts: 484
I am curious if I would be able to take two guest into the lounge (as a platinum guest). I am traveling with my mother and sister (17 years old). Any experience here?
#326
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 354
I had managed to take 2 into the premium lounge over xmas last year but this was before the first was open. one of the other passengers was a gold so might have helped. Getting 2 into the first is a stretch unless. Although if you are flying first possibly?
#327
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: FRA
Programs: EY Guest Platinum; A3 Gold; Delta Platinum, BA Silver, IHG Gold
Posts: 484
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I am not flying in First this time. But a full Flex First ticket for one of the guest might help. But I thought it would be better to ask for your experience first
#328
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,267
Agree, preclearance flights are another matter. Other than that, just give them a later flight (the server is not going to insist on physically inspecting your boarding card...) and you will be fine �� Come to think of it, no one there taking a food order has ever asked me when my flight was leaving. Maybe that is a new way of reducing catering expenses ��
As to the "buffet", I have only been there at night, and have seen some small things there, but not very appealing (never had anything, usually order off the snack menu if hungry) and it is tiny anyway. So perhaps it depends on the time of day if they put something out. But agree with the other posters, if they bother with a buffet there should be a decent offering (commensurate with the fact that it is a F lounge) at all times.
As to the "buffet", I have only been there at night, and have seen some small things there, but not very appealing (never had anything, usually order off the snack menu if hungry) and it is tiny anyway. So perhaps it depends on the time of day if they put something out. But agree with the other posters, if they bother with a buffet there should be a decent offering (commensurate with the fact that it is a F lounge) at all times.
#329
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
Yes, if you want to get from BOM-LAX as quickly as psbl in comfort. People (Except some here on FT) rarely, if ever choose longer layovers or take a different airline based on how much time you get in a lounge. Personally, I prefer the least amount of time both in the air & at the airport. I'd much rather get extra time at home or in my hotel, relaxing.
#330
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,267
Sorry, I meant trying for the lounge on an 1:30 minute layover. Already booked on that itinerary, and then I later decided to overnight in AUH and fly the A380 the next day, but too late, sold out.