New Etihad First and Business Class Lounge Sydney

[pmdg7444]

I had the pleasure of visiting the new EY lounge in Sydney last month - and I want to share my thoughts.

The lounge is located in Pier C of T1, tucked away into corner near (Citybeach?)

The entrance, whilst small, is neat, and well appointed. The decor is the same as for the other EY lounges worldwide - rich oak, bright and airy, a feeling of entering a luxury hotel lobby.








the lounge is located entirely downstairs and is separated into distinct 'zones' - a dining room, lounge area, bar, kids area and then restrooom/showers.

Consistent with the EY lounge theme of white leather dark oak furnishings, I found the lounge to be quite large - and more than adequate to handle the one flight in the arvo to AUH - either on EY or VA, and the evening EY service. When I went there -2.5hrs before dep, it was mostly empty but slowly filled up with pax. Perhaps down the track it will be more full as more pax become aware and as EY increases services to SYD.

Being a 'new' lounge at the time, i was greeted by several hosts and staff and given a quick tour of all the amenities and offerings. Needless to say, they were quite curious about my photo taking

 

[pmdg7444]

In terms of food, there's a usual cold buffet, mainly a vegetarian selection and cold slices, but with an Arabic flair such as baba ganoosh. Western deserts are also available. usual drinks/coffee/tea behind it - Twinnings and Nespresso pods. Selection of can/bottled drinks are plenty in the fridges behind this buffet.





Since they only serve AUH flights - the lounge capacity is well capable to handling all the demand.

Service - wise, they are many waiters/waitresses checking every guest is well looked after. Topping up drinks, helping with enquiries, etc. I find they tend to take quite a proactive approach.



Business centre with IMacs
.

 

[pmdg7444]

Bar stools for those who need to work on their lappies or tablets whilst charging their devices....


I really enjoy their a la carte dinning service. I think this is the highlight of the lounge. You are presented with a 3 course menu and wine selection. Waiters frequently come to top and ask if you would like anything extra.

Menu consisted of a starter, main and dessert - thought there was a very small 'choice' of which dish you would like to have. I dont think there were any options for main.

You get a printed menu + beverages list, and usual accompaniments of bread, sparking water, etc.


Entree of the squid - just like the QF Flounge hehe



The all important well stocked bar: From there you have a floor to ceiling view of the tarmac and Gate 51/53 - usually EY/VA are parked there.

As you can see - an extensive selection of contemporary mixers, and old time favourites.

Champagne was NV Lanson - same as EY and VA J - no surprises.

I think there was also Chivas, and some South Australian reds.

 

[pmdg7444]

The interiors are well decorated with glassware and furnishings - a very classic, upmarket look


as you can see, only the VA and EY AUH flight pax are allowed in (F,J, and elites)


restroom and shower suites. I think it was a rainforest shower. there was at least one attendant for each restroom.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for posting ! Although I have a number of grumbles with EY as an airline, their SYD lounge offering looks pretty good.

Does any other lounge accessible by J pax (ie not elite status) have an a la carte restaurant service like this (with the emphasis on 'like this'), I wonder?

 

[pmdg7444]

Various other amenities such as a kids room, wheelchair access lift, prayer room, baggage lockers are also offered.

Overall, this is a very nice, elegant and pleasant lounge - a vast improvement from the NZ Koru Club located a few steps away.

The service was excellent - although the staffers seem quite excited and jovial being that the lounge had just opened when I first visited. The smiles, attentive waiter service, proactive and nearly over obsequious attention (maybe its because I had a DSLR camera? ) are ever present given the low guest numbers. Its certainly better than self service J lounges located elsewhere. I think one could easily spend a good 2hrs here enjoying the restaurant and drinks, or browsing through Elle magazine, whilst the men watch Foxsports and kids play on the lego and PlayStation 4

Highly recommended, its a great way to start a long flight to AUH.

Cheers.

 

[zainman]

Thanks for this review! Looks like a good lounge!

 

[pmdg7444]

Thanks for posting ! Although I have a number of grumbles with EY as an airline, their SYD lounge offering looks pretty good.

Does any other lounge accessible by J pax (ie not elite status) have an a la carte restaurant service like this (with the emphasis on 'like this'), I wonder?

Closest thing I can think of in SYD is the island dining in the QF J lounges. I think the SIlverkris lounge is still a buffet with no waiter service.

 

[TomVexille]

Looks nice. Thanks for sharing

 

[bullerdude]

Nice pics! Now if only VA could get their act together and arrange to allow passengers on the LAX flights into the lounge so they don't have to put up with the lesser quality AirNZ lounge.

 

[smit0847]

Looks great! Do you have an photos of the menu? I can't think of any other lounges in Australia (other than QFlounge) that have a la carte dining.

 

[anat0l]

Does any other lounge accessible by J pax (ie not elite status) have an a la carte restaurant service like this (with the emphasis on 'like this'), I wonder?

VS Clubhouses come to mind.

 

[RooFlyer]

VS Clubhouses come to mind.

Thanks. Never been in one of those. So they have a la carte dining like the EY lounge depicted, for J pax?

 

[markis10]

Thanks. Never been in one of those. So they have a la carte dining like the EY lounge depicted, for J pax?

Sure do, and they know how to fill a glass of Scotch

http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../vs-upper-class-hkg-syd-53884.html#post899869

 

[RooFlyer]

Sure do, and they know how to fill a glass of Scotch

http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../vs-upper-class-hkg-syd-53884.html#post899869

Excellent, ta.

(Sigh) So many lounges, so little time to do them all.

 

[dk4]

Thanks for all the pics, gives a great feeling for the space. Am I correct in assuming that the lounge is in the area vacated by the United and Japan Airlines lounges?