Etihad Arrivals Lounge opens at Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways has opened its new Arrivals Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport, providing the airline's premium travellers with a premium pit-stop between getting off the plane and heading off to a pitch meeting.

That stopover not only includes the option of a shower to freshen up after a long flight, but a free wet shave by qualified barbers plus complimentary steaming of suits and dresses to smooth out any any inflight wrinkles.

“We have benchmarked ourselves against some of the world’s leading hotels and restaurants, while placing the warmth of Arabian hospitality at the heart of the experience" notes Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways.

Baumgartner adds that "the clothes steaming service and ‘SHAVE by Etihad Airways’ will hold particular appeal for guests with early morning arrivals, before hotel check-in hours."

Guests can take advantage of the 10-minute clothes steaming service while enjoying one of 10 shower suites.

It's the first Arrivals Lounge for Etihad, and is decked out in similar style to its most recently-opened lounge at Sydney Airport (and will in future be joined by other lounges at Los Angeles, Chicago, Melbourne and Milan).

Located immediately after customs, the Arrivals Lounge also boasts "café style refreshments" served throughout the day and, as you'd expect, there's fast and free wireless Internet with printing.

Access to the Arrivals Lounge is currently limited to first and business class guests on Etihad Airways-operated flights – that means no guests travelling in economy class regardless of their Etihad Guest frequent flyer status, or top-tier frequent flyers from partner airlines such as Virgin Australia.

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David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.