Etihad Airways brings fine dining to new heights with their newly launched service concept that focuses on personalised and tailored offerings for Pearl Business and Diamond First Class passengers.
Besides bringing culinary delights to passengers, Etihad Airways is also one of the first to feature on-board F&B Managers who are in charge of making wine and food recommendations to passengers, as well as listening to their requirements and preferences.
In celebration of Etihad Airways' first year of operations in Singapore, the airline's new concept - the Inspired Service - features significant enhancements which include a wide choice of food and top quality beverage options, all served on contemporary crockery, glassware and linen which are no different from the ones found in restaurants.
Unlike many airlines where plane food is prepared in bulk and served on plastic trays, Etihad Airways adds a touch of class to the in-flight dining experience, where the crew - headed by an F&B Manager on each flight - carefully arranges each dish on fine porcelain plates and serves them straight from the galley to the "table" that has been carefully laid out for passengers.
Video: Watch how Isa, the F&B manager, arranges a dish
Meals are cooked with fresh and imported ingredients - river salt from Australia's Murray River and butter from France.
Even the loaf of bread served to compliment meals is a combination of three flavours. The final bits of baking are finished in the aircraft oven so that it will always be served warm, accompanied with butter and an assortment of Arabian dips.
What is unique about the fine dining experience on board Etihad Airways is not only the ingredients used and care taken to prepare the dishes, but also the type of cuisine available for First and Business Class passengers.
Menus are carefully thought out and planned by the region's culinary design team and consultants, offering delectable and exquisite dishes normally found in restaurants.
A typical ala-carte in-flight dining experience consists of:
An amuse bouche - usually served before the appetizer
Appetizers - choose from two dishes
A granita is served to wash the palate, preparing it for the main meal
Four main course choices
Mains are always served with a side salad and three types of bread baked into one loaf, straight from the aircraft ovens.
Desserts - ranging from lavender meringues, to rhubarb and strawberry pie, and cheese platters to fruit platters served with jelly.
Other kitchen meals include:
Warm club sandwich with crisps
Warm truffle popcorn
Swedish crisp breads
Warm bella olives, orange, garlic and rosemary
Providore natural ice-cream
Arabic pastries
High tea consisting of scones with cream and jam
...and many more.
Video: Watch Culinary Standards Manager, Mr Christophe Camacho, as he describes the type of cuisine that are available on board Etihad Airways.
Kitchen meals are available throughout the entire flight and are great as light snacks.
For overnight flights, breakfast is served on-board the following choices are offered:
Classic English breakfast
Selection of bakeries
Omelette served with fresh asparagus
Waffles
Selection of cereals
Energiser drinks and juices
Yoghurt selection
As for beverages, Etihad Airways offers a comprehensive list of top quality wines that are not only rare and luxurious, but stylish and exotic as well.
In-flight F&B Managers are around to make recommendations to passengers who wish to complement their meal with a glass of wine or two.
To complete the in-flight experience, door-to-door limousine chauffeur service is available for premium-class passengers in Singapore from early 2009.
