The lounge, to be located at Terminal 3 of the airport, will be dedicated exclusively to First Class, Etihad Guest Platinum and Etihad Airways Partners Platinum travellers, as well as those staying in The Residence, Etihad’s three-room suite onboard the Airbus A380 fleet, launched in 2014.
“The new First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi will be the jewel in the crown of our ever-growing global lounge portfolio, a showcase of intelligent design and innovation,? and the world’s best premium airport experience,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer.
Etihad has said the lounge will be a “state-of-the-art” space combining “modern Arabian design elements and the understated elegance and luxury synonymous with the Etihad Airways brand”.
The lounge will measure 1,044 square metres and provide seating for 134 guests. It will also feature a dedicated dining area, modern business amenities, complimentary wi-fi connectivity, USB power outlets, bathrooms with shower facilities and a playroom for children.
In August last year, the carrier officially opened its refurbished First and Business Class Lounge at the Abu Dhabi ariport’s Terminal 1, and the airport is set for further expansion with its prestigious Midfield Terminal reported to be opening on National Day, 2017. Abu Dhabi Airports company said at the close of 2015 that the new terminal will be 70% complete by the end of this year.
Passenger numbers at the airport were up 17.2% in 2015, with more than 23m travellers passing through its terminals. This increase was largely due to the growth of Etihad, which carried 18.4% more passengers in 2015 than in 2014, at 17.4m passengers travelling over the course of last year.
(Picture shows Etihad’s digital interpretation of the entrance to the new First Class lounge at Abu Dhabi International airport.)
