A Delayed Honeymoon: Part 1 – Baltimore > IAD, & Etihad Lounge

A Delayed Honeymoon: Part 1 – Baltimore > IAD, & Etihad Lounge

NSPwife and I got hitched last June; however, due to work had to postpone our honeymoon by almost 7.5 months. While I am typically one to take risks on catching flights – having run through many an airport, catching flights as jetway doors were closing and filing through a high-anxiety line snaking back and forth for what feels like an infinite number of steps, this was a flight I could not miss. Nor my next flight. I was meeting NSPwife for a honeymoon. NSPwife was understanding enough to not have a honeymoon in the summer due to work. She would not have been understanding had I missed a flight that made me miss part of our honeymoon. See, NSPwife had been in Bahrain and Germany for almost a month on work. So if we would have missed a flight, we could have figured something out. If I would have missed a flight, NSPwife would most likely become NSPex-wife. So, I requested the chauffeur service provided by Etihad Airlines to arrive at my house at 4:00pm. For a 9:50pm flight. Yes, a little excessive.

The chauffeur showed up about 10 minutes early at my door, a mere 59.8 miles from Dulles Airport. Luckily, Etihad offers free chauffeur service within 60 miles if you are flying in Business or First Class. Perfect.

Car Service Arriving at My House

Car Service – IAD

I jumped in the backseat, opened up the laptop, and worked for the 90ish minute drive to Dulles. When I arrived, the check-in area had not been opened. Etihad only operates a single flight: 9:50pm from Washington D.C. to Abu Dhabi. One individual was behind the desk cleaning and told me the counter would open at 5:50pm. It was 5:36pm. I could wait.

At 5:50pm I checked in and had my bags checked straight through to Male. I had packed a shirt, shorts and boxers. And of course had my flip flops. Who needs checked luggage for a 14-hour stopover?

I then went through security, much easier than my last time here. And by about 6:15pm I walked into the Etihad Lounge. Upon checking in, the hostess gave me a quick tour. There were two floors, however the top floor was roped off – most likely due to Business & First class not being sold-out.

Etihad Lounge – IAD

Etihad Lounge – IAD

Etihad Lounge – IAD

Etihad Lounge – IAD

I sat down in a lounge chair and immediately an attendant came over to offer dates, tea and a warm refreshing hand towel. I was asked if I wanted any other drink and was told that the kitchen was not yet open, but I could help myself to the buffet.

Etihad Lounge – IAD

Etihad Lounge Buffet – IAD

Etihad Lounge Buffet – IAD

Etihad Lounge Buffet – IAD

I decided to wait for the kitchen. The menu looked appealing:

Etihad Lounge Dinner Menu – IAD

After about an hour on the laptop, I worked my way over to a table and ordered the vegetarian samosas, rack of lamb and bread pudding. The food was good, not great, but well above the United Lounge at Dulles.

Etihad Lounge Dinner – IAD

Etihad Lounge Dinner – IAD

Etihad Lounge Dinner – IAD

After finishing a couple glasses of Bordeaux and Champagne and working through emails, they began to call for boarding. I quickly went to check out the restroom facilities, which of course had a rain-shower. I snapped a couple pictures and then went back to the lounge.

Etihad Lounge Bathroom/Shower Facilities – IAD

Etihad Lounge Bathroom/Shower Facilities – IAD

Etihad Lounge Bathroom/Shower Facilities – IAD

The jetway had direct access from the lounge. Sweet. I didn’t even have to go to the gate area, what a concept!

Etihad Lounge Direct Jetway Access – IAD

While pretty exhausted, I was excited to view the cabin, as I had heard this was one of the top five cabins in the world. More to follow. Next Stop: Abu Dhabi.