Flying from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo felt pretty effortless and enjoyable. It set the perfect tone for a stress-free adventure across continents.
The Quick Start at the Airport
The taxi pulled up to a dedicated Business Class entrance at Abu Dhabi International Airport—now called Zayed International. Check-in, security, and passport control? Done in about five minutes flat. That’s a personal record, and left us with plenty of time to unwind before the flight.
Chilling in the Etihad Lounge



Next stop: the Etihad Business Class Lounge, which spans three floors in the sleek Terminal A. This place is a traveler’s dream, with cozy seating areas for relaxing or working, a family room and shower suites to freshen up. We grabbed some light snacks from the extensive buffet and sipped on a couple of well-mixed cocktails at one of the bars – so the time flew by.
Settling into the A350-1000


Afterwards we boarded the Etihad A350-1000. The new amenity kit came with Armani pyjamas that were incredibly comfy. Plus, the slippers added that extra touch of homey comfort.
Delicious Meals Aloft


Dinner started with a fresh salmon appetizer that hit the spot, followed by a perfectly grilled sea bream as the main course. I wrapped it up with a warm hot chocolate and some cookies—simple but satisfying. After a good nap, breakfast was a quick coffee and Bircher muesli to ease into landing.
Overall, those 10+ hours zipped by in a blur of comfort and good food. If you’ve flown long-haul in style, share your tips in the comments—I’d love to hear what makes your trips memorable!