By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further.
Flight Overview
The comfortable seats, solid amenities, and variety of onboard food and drinks were not enough to make up for the ancient IFE and horrible arrival experience in Abu Dhabi. Pros- Comfortable Seats, Variety of Onboard Food and Drinks, Very Friendly Service , Restaurant Dining Experience Cons- Bad Airport Lounge Experience, Poor Boarding Experience, Non-Functional Wi-Fi, Ancient IFE, Poor Quality Headphones Horrible Arrival Experience First Class Honeymoon Trip Report First Class Honeymoon Overview Delta Sky Club DCA Review Delta CRJ 900 DCA-JFK First Class Review Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse New York JFK Review Singapore Airlines A380 JFK-FRA Suites Review Singapore Airlines A380 FRA-SIN Suites Review JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach Review Singapore Surprise Singapore Airlines 737-800 SIN-MLE Business Class Review The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort Review Etihad Airways A320 MLE-AUH Business Class Review Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Dubai Review The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Review Exploring Abu Dhabi Etihad Apartments A380 AUH-JFK Apartments Review
Leeli Lounge
Once we got to the airport we headed straight for the airport's only lounge called the Leeli Lounge. This is the premium lounge of business and first class passenger departing Male airport (MLE). The lounge had a large seating area with view of the runway which I enjoyed. The lounge was fairly empty but uncomfortably warm. The lounge had its own bathrooms but no showers. 
Leeli Lounge
The lounge had a wide variety of food options including snacks, fruit, rice, vegetables, and pasta. It also had a variety of deserts including chocolate biscuit pudding, cookies, and cakes.
Leeli Lounge Seating
Generally, the food looked and tasted unimpressive. We tried the egg salad sandwich and rice and found them to be dry. All of the food and drinks in the fridges were room temperature. We tried the cookie which was tough and the brownie which was the soft. The brownie ended up being the only good food item we tried in the lounge. We decided to skip most of the food and decided to wait to have a full meal until we were on the plane. The lounge wasn't impressive and I wouldn't arrive early to take advantage of this lounge.
Leeli Lounge Food
Boarding
Boarding took place exactly one hour before the departure time. The process was annoying since it involved boarding, waiting in a bus, then taking the bus to a plane parked on the tarmac. 
Male Airport Gate 4
We ended up waiting on the bus for about 30 minutes. When the bus arrived, we were the first passengers off and the first to board the plane.
Boarding Bus
The one cool thing about boarding via a bus is that we were able to get a view of the plane from the tarmac.
Etihad A320
Plane and Seats
There were 16 business class seats on this plane arraigned in a 2-2 format. The legroom on the seats were incredible. I was able to cross my legs and not touch the seats in front. Each seat also had a reading light, headrest, footrest, and substantial padding. The seats also had universal charging at each seat and a screen in the armrest. This seat was a very comfortable way to fly for this approximately 3 hour flight and put U.S. domestic first class seats to shame. 
Etihad A320 Business Class Cabin
When boarding was done there were a total of four business class passengers and economy was completely full. We were also informed by a flight attendant that one of the business class passengers was the Etihad CEO Tony Douglas' wife. She was very friendly and excited to greet us when she found out that we were Americans and spoke English. She gave us recommendations on site to see in Abu Dhabi which we appreciated. This is the first time that I have ever flown with a spouse of an airline CEO. Though I felt the flight attendants delivered consistent servicer in the business class cabin. We ended up departing at 6:30 pm 15 minutes early.
Etihad A320 Business Class Seat
Dining
Shortly after sitting down we were offered a pre-departure beverage. Christina asked for champagne but was informed because the champagne was left onboard the aircraft overnight it was not yet chilled. Instead I had orange juice and Christina had red wine. I liked the orange juice while Christina found the red wine to have a sharp ending. The flight attendant also came around with a hot towel. Because of the warm weather it would have been nice if the towel were colder. 
Hot Towel
Once we leveled off the formal meal service started with mixed nuts. I did not like the that nuts weren't warm and thought they lacked flavor.
Mixed Nuts
The three course meal service included choices between two starters, three mains, and three deserts. For the starter Christina and I both chose the Arabic Mezze. For the main I chose the Spinach Fettuccine while Christina chose the Spiced Tuna. For desert I had the pineapple tart while the flight attendant created a special desert for Christina with Amaretto and vanilla ice cream.
Menu
We both liked all of the Arabic Mezze with the exception of the bread. We found it to be quite fresh and flavorful. Christina summed it up well, simple but well executed.
Arabic Mezze
I liked my main dish the Spinach Fettuccine and I found it to be very creamy, fresh, and healthy.
Spinach Fettuccine
Christina thought the Spicy Tuna was too spicy and dry.
Spicy Tuna
I found my tart to be too sweet while Christina loved her dessert. She thought that the Amaretto and vanilla ice cream tasted like an adult ice cream float. Also, with desert we both had the chilled champagne and really liked it.
Outside of the food itself I was impressed by the dining experience. For example, the service included white table cloths, printed menu, Etihad branded glasses, and Etihad branded condiments. This felt like restaurant dining and really drove the sense that Etihad was going for a luxurious experience.
Amenities and IFE
When we boarded the plane waiting at our seats were a pillow and blanket. The pillow was well designed and decked out in the Etihad colors while the blanket was soft and comfortable. The blanket and seat were comfortable enough for Christina to take a 30 minute nap. 
Etihad A320 Busines Class Seat and Amenities
In business class we also had access to a limited amount of complimentary Wi-Fi. However, even when we got into the areas where it should have been able to connect there was not Wi-Fi service.
Etihad 2019 Wi-Fi Coverage Map
The in-flight entertainment (IFE) system onboard this plan was call E-Box and was very old. The screen had bad resolution and the touchscreen was not very responsive so we used the remote. However, the remote was located next to my right hip which was frustrating since I constantly hit the remote while sitting. Despite having a decent selection of movies, the selection of TV shows was very limited with no full seasons. Additionally, the headphones provided by Etihad were really bad and at one-point Christina heard a hissing so we ended up using our own headphones.
E-Box IFE
Service
We received a very warm greeting from the primary flight attendant serving our cabin. She asked where we from, recognized that we were American Airlines elites, and thanked us for flying with Etihad. She was from Ireland and was very friendly. When she saw that Christina and I we were playing with the seats she explained how the seats worked. She informed us that the seat power only worked after takeoff and that the screen came out of the armrest. Service was very friendly but slow given that there were only four people in business class cabin. Outside of meal service she spent most of the flight talking. She offered to give us recommendations on what to do in Abu Dhabi but forgot. However, she did send us on our way with a big bottle of water. Overall, I found the service very friendly but not as polished as Singapore Airlines. Arrival We arrived at a remote stand 15 minutes early. I was surprised that even at Etihad's hub we did not arrive at a gate. We were reminded upon landing that it was Ramadan and that we could not eat, drink, or smoke in public during the daylight. We knew by this warning that our experience in Abu Dhabi was going to be different. Before we left the plane, we were handed Fast Track certificates for immigration. One improvement over the departure was that on arrival we had a business class-only bus. 
Etihad Abu Dhabi Fast Track
Once we got to the terminal we had the strangest immigration experience I have ever had. While the standard immigration line was short we still stood in the Fast Track line but the immigration officers refused to serve us. Instead they made us get into the regular line and wait. Almost all of the immigration booths were staffed and we were the only people in line but they still refused to serve us. Instead during our wait of about 10 minutes they high-fived and chatted with their co-workers. When we were finally served the officer was unfriendly and dismissive. Our terrible arrival experience did not end there but continued as we passed through customs. As we passed through customs an officer tried to separate Christina and I. He stopped me and started to pepper me with question. When Christina stopped to intervene he told her to keep walking assuming that we weren't together. The questions finally stopped when he saw my American passport and let me go. After this experience I couldn't help but wonder if my skin color led to this prejudice and treatment. One thing I know for sure is that this arrival experience didn't make us feel welcomed in Abu Dhabi.
Take Away
This flight felt very disjointed with a bad ground experience in Male and and Abu Dhabi contrasted with very friendly service onboard. While some of these are not directly in Etihad's control the airline does have direct control over the Wi-Fi, IFE, and boarding all areas where the airline needs to improve its A320 experience. Next time I find myself needing a short or medium haul flight in the Middle East I would probably try one of the other major Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar or Emirates.
1 Comment
By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further.
Flight Overview
The lounge experience for business class passengers at Changi Terminal 3 was disappointing, the plane was old and in need of a refresh but the selection of amenities and onboard food blew U.S. domestic First Class out of the water. Pros- Delicious Onboard Food, Wide Array of Amenities, Business Class Privacy, Attentive Service Cons- Strict Enforcement of Rules, Disappointing Business Class Airport Lounge, Old Plane, Weak In-Flight Entertainment , Mediocre Drink Selection
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Check-In
Changi Terminal 2
Our flight to Male, Maldives on Singapore Airline's regional affiliate Silk Air took off from Changi Terminal 2 which prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was the home for the vast majority of Singapore Airline's regional flights. During the pandemic all Singapore Airlines flights have been consolidated in Changi Terminal 3 which allowed for the closure of Terminal 2 for 18 months. This move was done in response to very-low passenger volume and allowed Changi to shave approximately one year off of the time for the renovation of Terminal 2. I found this work was sorely needed. Since our flight in May 2019, Silk Air has ceased operations and had its planes completely folded into Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines is still operating these 737-800 planes on regional flights I am going to share our experience since I think it could be helpful for those looking to fly on Singapore Airlines.
Changi Self-Check Baggage
Our check-in experience for Singapore Airlines (Silk Air) was awkward since it was completely automated including the baggage check. In the United States typically passengers with bags to check have to see the gate agent, however, at Changi the entire process was automated including weighing and scanning baggage. While I found this to be impressive it was also somewhat frustrating since it took us a while to figure out how to work the machine.
Changi Terminal 2
As we headed to the SilverKris lounge, which was used for business class and first class Singapore Airlines passengers leaving out of Terminal 2, we noticed that this terminal was much more dated than Terminal 3, where we arrived on our flight from Frankfurt. However, we really appreciated the lovely flower displays throughout the terminal and it showed us that Singapore takes seriously its nickname the Garden City.
Signs to Terminal 2 Lounges
It took us a while to find the SilverKris lounge since the signage in the terminal was not clear.
SilverKris Lounge Entrance
However, we finally realized that the lounge was on the second level and we headed left to the business class portion of the lounge. The lounge had an array of seating with a small business area, an array of black seats around the television, and seating in the dining room. The lounge was large but nearly completely empty. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, conversations happened only at a whisper, and it felt more like a library than an airport lounge.
The food was set up near the entrance to the lounge and included a special station for Laska which is a spicy Singaporean soup. During our time in the lounge I tried the majority of the hot food and it was a huge disappointment. The Dim Sum lacked in both presentation and taste, the Laska was average, while the apple juice was cheap and not good. The food in the lounge paled in comparison to the culinary adventure we had during the rest of our stay in Singapore.
To add to the disappointing experience at this lounge the business class bathrooms were out of order so I needed to go to the first class lounge to use the bathroom. I found the first class bathrooms to be in good shape, the service in first class lounge to be more attentive, and the first class lounge overall to be much nicer. For example, the bathroom had two bathroom attendants along with complimentary toothbrushes and shaving kits. It is clear that Singapore Airlines needs to renovate the business class lounge and that that they put significantly more resources into the first class ground experience.
Gate Area
Boarding
We headed to the gate about five minutes before boarding. As we approached the gate area I remembered that security checks are performed at the gate area and I got nervous that we would miss the initial boarding call. The gate area was packed and it was clear this was a full flight. We got through the gate quickly and boarding started five minutes late so we ended up being the first people on board. 
Singapore Airlines (Silk Air) 737-800
Plane and Seats
As we entered the plane I was impressed by the color palette of pale yellow and brown along with the light blues and reds on the flight attendants' uniforms. The business class had 12 seats arraigned in a 2-2 configuration with 38 inches of pitch and 22 inches of width. The seats had substantial recline which meant that when the passengers in front of us reclined it was difficult getting in and out of our seats. The seat also had a foot rest which is very rare in US domestic first class. 
737-800 Business Class Seats
Another positive feature of this plane is that it had a hard bulkhead and a thick curtain which really made the business class cabin feel private. One big downside of the plane was its age which showed in the seats. The seats were very difficult to recline because the levers to recline the seat were old and manual. At one point Christina's seat was completely stuck in recline and she had to yank at the lever to move it up or down.
Business Class Curtain
Amenities and In-Flight Entertainment
Waiting at each business class seat was a pillow and a blanket. I found the pillow to be comfortable and much more substantial than the pillows offered on U.S. domestic first class. Shortly after takeoff the flight attendant came by with slippers, various newspapers and magazines, and an iPad pre-loaded with in-flight entertainment (IFE) since there were no seat back screens. I selected the local newspaper and a Time magazine to read. I really appreciated having a pillow, slippers, and footrest on this four-and half-hour flight.
The IFE on the iPad was weak. While the iPads had a ton of content most of it was very old. Initially, the iPad was very annoying to watch because I had to hold it up to see any of the movies. However, I noticed that another passenger had an iPad stand so I asked and received one from the flight attendant. It was frustrating that these were not proactively offered the iPad stand since it would be very annoying to watch the iPad on this long of a flight without one. Another problem about receiving this array of amenities is that the seats did not have sufficient storage space to hold them all when they weren't in use. For example, when we were eating we had to find somewhere to put away the iPad and this is another downside to not having seat back IFE. There were also several additional amenities offered on the flight in the bathroom but these were not at all impressive. The amenities included lotion, mouthwash, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. However, these were not at all at the caliber of our Singapore Airlines Suites experience. I utilized the toothpaste and it looked like whiteout and tasted disgusting.
IPAD Inflight Entertainment
Dining
The in-flight dining experience began before takeoff when the flight attendant came by to confirm our food orders, take our in-flight drink order, and offer us pre-departure drinks. The pre-departure drink choices were apple juice or orange juice. I took the apple juice while Christina took the orange juice. The apple juice was bad so I sent it back and instead asked for orange juice which was good. 
Pre-Departure Drinks
Once we were in air the flight attendant brought our drink order of champagne which was really bad. I don't know if the champagne was really that bad or we were spoiled from drinking so much Krug on our Singapore Airlines Suites flight. We were also given hot towel service which included a steaming towel. I wish that airlines would adjust from a hot to a cold towel in climates that are already warm. It was strange that the towel was steaming hot because the cabin was already warm. After this I was served mixed nuts as a starter while Christina had the snack mix both of which were good. Next, we were served a salad with tomatoes, lettuce, and chicken which also good. After we were served the salad we were offered bread and I chose the garlic bread and Christina chose a cracker. My garlic bread was good and Christina liked her cracker and said it had Indian flavors.
For our main courses we pre-ordered from the expanded All Time Favorites Menu which offered meals beyond those listed in the onboard menu. The All Time Favorites Menu offered a massive selection for relatively short flight. I choose the beef brisket noodles and Christina chose the Nasi Goreng. My meal came out piping hot and was delicious. The beef was very tender and the noodles were cooked excellently. The broth was also flavored very well but was really messy so I ended up having to use napkins as a bib. Christina's meal had a chicken satay (kabob) with rice, pickles, and zucchini. While Christina thought the chicken was on the sweet side and the rice was somewhat spicy overall she thought the meal was great though still not at the Singapore Airlines Suites level.
Once the main course was done we were offered a choice between Merlot or Chardonnay wine. I chose the Merlo while Christina selected the Chardonnay. I liked the Merlot while Christina thought the Chardonnay was too sweet.
Maldives Airports Fast Track Passes
At the end of the meal service the flight attendant came by with Maldives Airports Fast Track passes for the business class passengers to clear immigration on an expedited basis. However, they ended up not being necessary as there was no line when we landed in Male.
Pre-Arrival Dessert
As we got closer to the end of the flight the flight attendants brought by a pre-arrival dessert of Double Chocolate ice cream which was really good. Christina had hers with coffee which she said was surprisingly very good for airline coffee. Overall, I found the onboard drink selection, with the exception fo the coffee, to be mediocre on par with American Airlines. This was surprising for a Singapore Airlines affiliate. Finally, as we entered our final decent we got our first glimpse of the beautiful Maldivan water which we had traveled half way around the world to experience.
View of The Maldives
Service
I would say that the service on this flight was a mixed bag. The flight attendants were clearly well trained by Singapore Airlines. They executed on the service very well and they were very attentive constantly looking to see if we needed refills and quickly clearing plates. For example, they were able to complete extensive multi-course meal service in about one hour. However, they were far too strict at enforcing rules. Our flight had a long taxi of about 30 minutes and while we were taxing several people tried to get up to get something from the overhead bins or to use the bathroom and the flight attendants on several occasions got up to reprimand tell these passengers off. While I thought their tone may have been too harsh I didn't think too much of this since this is something that is usually enforced in the U.S. as well. Once we took off and were climbing I tried to use the bathroom and the flight attendant gave me a nasty look and shook her head no. Once again I had an incident relating to flight attendants enforcing the rules about using the bathroom and I felt like this was now a trend after the incidents on our CLT-LHR and LGW-BCN flights. This wasn't the only rule which the flight attendants vigorously enforced. While we were landing the flight attendants came around and asked Christina and I to remove our headphones for landing which is the first time I had ever heard of this rule on any airline. 
Singapore Airlines (Silk Air) 737-800
Take Away
Our experience flying on Singapore Airlines' 737-800 with its regional affiliate Silk Air was a mixed bag. We really enjoyed the privacy of the business class cabin, the wide-array of amenities, and attentive service. Moreover, the onboard food was significantly better than U.S. domestic airlines. However, the plane and seats were old, the flight attendants vigorously enforced the rules, the IFE was weak, and the KrisFlyer business class lounge was very disappointing. I hope that the full integration into Singapore Airlines and renovations at Changi Terminal 2 improves on these weakness and leads to a more consistently positive experience. |
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