Flying 14 hours in business class crossing the Atlantic with Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi to New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport was never going to be easy without access to my laptop or iPad.
The ban does not apply to mobile phones and the free Wi-Fi – compensation for the lack of devices – meant checking emails and other electronic communication was not entirely prohibited. Indeed, those in the know had equipped themselves with the largest-screen phone they could find.
Otherwise it was a blissfully uneventful flight with Etihad more than justifying its sky-high rating among the business class products of the world.
The standout feature is the US customs and passport clearance before boarding. This means all US entrance formalities are concluded before take off, for us about five minutes flat, and on arrival you are treated as domestic passengers.
My only quibble was that Abu Dhabi airport is not nearly as exclusive as it was the last time I reviewed Etihad’s premium services six years ago. Then the premium departure lounge was like a VIP executive jet facility.
Today, it still has the fluffy carpet and bellhops to take your bags, and the smart-gate passport control is a welcome addition. But you don’t proceed directly into a dedicated lounge bathed in white leather with waiters asking what you would like cooked for you. Rather there is a long walk to a large lounge with mediocre buffet and beverages, and a much smaller lounge on the other side of US customs clearance. The bliss starts when you step on board.
I loved my cool “business studio” with its large-screen TV, and fully flatbed seat with adjustable hardness levels. If you found the bed too hard you simply adjusted it on a panel.
There is also plenty of storage so I kept my jacket with me. Only locating how to plug in the headphones required the help of the ever-obliging cabin staff.
q&a with the very best service
Peter Cooper offers more about Etihad’s flight from Abu Dhabi to New York:
What did you like about the service?
Remarkably, Etihad’s huge expansion of recent years has not diminished the professionalism and service ethic of its staff. They are fully focused on the passenger, and you never catch them gossiping. This reminded me of the very best hotel service. You also get your food on demand and never have to wait for a trolley to reach you, and no order was forgotten.
And the food?
The quality was also a cut way above average. Fillet steak in business class is not always available on many airlines – mine was small but perfectly cooked. The smoked salmon starter was very good. And the cooked breakfast was nicely done. Whenever you wanted food you just pushed the call button.
Any problems?
If I had to be picky then the E-Box video selection of films is much more limited than on rival Emirates ICE system.
Other business facilities?
Elsewhere on board there is the lobby bar with six independent seats with seat belts that is billed as useful for business meetings. With no natural light it is a tad claustrophobic compare with Emirates’ popular rear lounge but a useful facility.
Was the laptop ban an issue?
I left the laptop in my suitcase and the free Wi-Fi on the way out (which was payable on the return leg) meant I was more connected than normal. I checked my mails via iPhone and just enjoyed the flight.
business@thenational.ae
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
Company%20Profile
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
