The Tall & The Short Of Etihad’s Economy Space

Pre-flight experience

This leg marked the second flight of my journey back home from the UK with a layover in Abu Dhabi – a true 24-hour airport where flights, shops and restaurants operate around the clock.

As a silver status member, I was granted access to the Etihad business lounge, an exclusive perk for travellers with elite status (even at silver, its lowest tier) at Abu Dhabi Airport.

The lounge spans three floors, offering a variety of seating areas, charging stations, bar, restaurant, showers, games rooms and spaces for relaxation.

The Economy Space seat

Etihad doesn’t offer premium economy but bridges the gap with its Economy Space seats, located just behind business class. These seats provide a pitch of 35 inches, compared to 31 inches in regular economy – an upgrade that truly makes a difference for taller passengers like me (I’m 1.88m).

Sitting in seat 21C, I found the legroom exceptional. Even when the passenger in front reclined, I could stretch out, lower my tray table and work comfortably on my laptop.

For me, the extra space alone justifies the additional cost, which varies depending on the flight’s duration (typically around $100 per segment).

The flight

Organise by rows, boarding commenced an hour before departure. Our flight departed on time and soon after take-off, meal service began.

While Etihad’s meal descriptions feel a little nostalgic – think “chicken, beef or vegetable pasta” – the food was decent. I chose the chicken casserole, which came with what I believe was polenta (though it could have been finely mashed potato), alongside a roll with butter, a small salad and a chocolate mousse.

Alcoholic beverages were available upon request, though there was no pre-meal drinks service.

A sandwich and dessert were served mid-flight and breakfast followed two hours before landing. The breakfast options were chicken (a combination of an omelette and chicken sausage) or vegetarian (a warm sponge cake with custard and strawberry confit).

Etihad’s focus on sustainability is evident in their closed-loop recycling program: hard plastic containers and metal cutlery are reused before being recycled.

Entertainment

The E-Box entertainment system offered a solid range of content, including movies, TV shows, music, games and live news channels (though the live channels were unavailable during my flight). The system was accessible via a 13-inch touchscreen and a separate remote control.

Etihad’s headsets delivered good sound quality and the system also supports Bluetooth connectivity, letting you use your personal headphones.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is typically available for purchase on Etihad flights, but unfortunately, it wasn’t operational on this occasion.

Final thoughts

Etihad Airways’ Economy Space seat strikes a fine balance between affordability and comfort, particularly for taller travellers. The extra legroom, reliable entertainment system and thoughtful lounge facilities made the 13-hour journey far more enjoyable.

While the food service could use a modern touch, the overall experience reflects Etihad’s commitment to blending quality with convenience for its economy passengers.