Pre-Flight at CDG
I wake up at 6:00 AM, I decide to look the flight inbound from AUH to see what aircraft I will take for my flight today.
At 6:40 AM, The complimentary Etihad Chauffeur service picks me up from where I stayed in Paris. (NOTE: I booked this flight before Jul. 3 2017, Etihad Premium Flights booked after Jul 2017 will not receive chauffeur services outside the UAE).
After a 40 min ride, I arrive at CDG's Terminal 2C and firstly do 'VAT REFUND' and then Check-in at the counters 14 & 15 at about 7:35 AM.
Economy Class & Baggage Drop Counters
First & Business Class Counters (Also for Gold & Silver Guests)
After Check-In, I went through Passport control and Security which takes about 10-20min or 5-15min if you have access to Fast Track (Acces No1) which they give you at Check-in (If Premium Class). After Security Check, I went upstairs and I went to spot some aircraft that are parked at Terminal 2A & 2C.
Some Planespotting at both terminals. 2A is the first pictures and 2C are the last pictures.
AA048 bound to DFW (787-9)
AA886 inbound from YUL (A330-300)
AC880 inbound from YYZ (777-300ER)
HM016 inbound from SEZ is getting towed to a remote gate (A330-200)
AA787 bound to CLT (A330-200)
AC870 inbound from YUL (777-300ER)
SV126 bound to JED (777-300ER)
KQ113 bound to NBO (787-8)
9W123 bound to BOM (A330-300)
EK072 bound to DXB (A380-800)
GF018 bound to BAH (A320-200)
AND MY PLANE:
Etihad Airways EY032 bound to AUH with an Airbus A380
At about 10:10 AM, I boarded my plane from Gate 'C80' which is only for First & Business Class. The other Gate 'C81' is for Economy Class only. (for A380)
Some Info about the Flight
Aircraft: Airbus A380-861
Registration: A6-APD (Delivered on Aug 2015)
Callsign: ETD11K
Departure Time: 10:40 AM
Terminal: 2C
Gate: C80 (First & Business Class) & C81 (Economy Class)
Arrival Time: 7:30 PM
Terminal: 3
Gate: 33
ETIHAD 11 KILO (ETD11K) EY032
Welcome onboard Etihad's A380 Business Studio (Sorry for not giving a seated picture).
Window view of seat 10K on an Etihad's A380.
At 11:05 AM, we push back from stand C02 (CFW for an A380).
5-10min taxi to runway 08L.
And we are off the ground at 11:15 AM.
30 minutes after departure, I have gotten myself some nuts and a glass of water.
2 hours into the flight, I ate lunch
Starter:
Main Course:
For another 2 hours on the flight, I watched the 'then new' Fast & Furious 8 (The Fate of the Furious)
About 2 hours prior arrival, I drank a cup of espresso coffee
At 7:16 PM, EY032 lands at AUH Runway 31L.
Here it is parked at stand 308
Post-Flight at AUH
Goodbye A6-APD
After that, I arrived at passport control where fast track & E-gate is full due to many flights arriving at AUH during the evening (6-8PM). I finally go through passport control and baggage claim and customs. Etihad offers an Arrivals Lounge for First & Business Class Guests to relax and wait for their chauffeur if not ready yet. All in all, I left AUH at 8:20 PM.
