Etihad Airways has opened a new dedicated business class lounge at its Abu Dhabi airport home base which offers the airline’s business class customers a wealth of state-of-the-art relaxation and entertainment facilities in addition to around-the-clock dining.

The new Terminal 1 business class lounge follows the opening in January of a separate new lounge dedicated to first class customers and is part of a major overhaul of Etihad’s premium customer experience at Abu Dhabi airport.

More than three times the size of Etihad’s previous premium lounge, the business and first class lounges can now cater to about 200 customers at any one time and are situated on the first floor of the airport.

Geert Boven, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president sales and services said: “Etihad is extremely proud to open our new business class lounge at Abu Dhabi airport which continues the airline’s aim of providing the best service to our customers whether in the air or on the ground.”

“Etihad has received great feedback from our customers following the opening of the first class lounge earlier this year and we look forward to welcoming our business class customers to this wonderful new haven.”

The new business class lounge includes a “wi-fi” area, library, relaxation zone, “well-being” spa, hi-tech electronic games room, smoker’s lounge and gallery showcasing work by local Arab artists.

Customers can choose between the “chic” dining areas, relaxing lounge or the study-themed timber-panelled business centre which is equipped with workstations, internet access and power points for laptops.

A dedicated “well-being” area offers tailored treatment rooms for express spa experiences where expert therapists provide specialist treatments which include facials, foot and leg massages.

Many elements of the Terminal 1 lounges will also be incorporated into Etihad’s new Terminal 3 premium lounges which are due to open later in 2008.-TradeArabia News Service