For my birthday weekend, also a public holiday in Ireland, we found our options limited to an incredibly expensive intra-Europe jaunt, or the option to let loose and cash in our Etihad Guest miles for an economy trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Though I was loath not only to have to revert to a cabin I’ve spent so many hours in over the years, but also have to embrace another ageing 777 on the EY46 route to Abu Dhabi, the costs of holidaying within Europe were just completely ridiculous.

In addition, our Etihad Guest Gold & Silver memberships respectively, are due to expire at the end of May and we both know that between the difficulty of retaining (and relative unusefulness of) Etihad Guest status, plus the recent changes to ‘Business Value’ fares that exclude lounge access and seat selection, plus the continued dispatch of the oldest aircraft in their fleet to Dublin, Etihad is simply very unlikely to be our top choice for travel to and from Asia. It’ll certainly still be an option, but not the top choice.

Nevertheless, making the most of it, we proceeded to the business class check-in, and were quickly seen to, as well as being advised to both proceed to fast track security and on to Dublin Airport’s Martello Lounge.

Despite being a bank holiday weekend and apparent extensive works to the security screening area in Terminal 1, Dublin Airport was relatively calm, and we were airside in no time, having a quick browse before continuing on to The Martello Lounge, which I reviewed back in February.

Both of us are abstaining from alcohol currently and for the past several months, and despite the severe temptation of an early-morning mimosa, we managed to resist. As a result, for the first time, I can speak with experience and say that the hot breakfast in the Martello Lounge is actually very good – hot, fresh, and tasty.

We were invited to board through the priority gate, with Etihad taking up two airbridges as tends to be their routine in Dublin. I’m not sure what happened here, but boarding was stopped due to ‘congestion’ in the boarding bridge, while a handling agent went around half-shouting at the others to only board ‘deluxe’ passengers, whatever that means, considering we were standing in the business and elite members’ line.

When we did finally start boarding once again, it seemed like everyone was funnelled across to the other gate and ultimately boarded down the one airbridge.

On board and to Etihad’s credit, the seats looked as well-padded and comfy as you could hope for in economy on a 7-hour flight, with respectable legroom even towards the back of the cabin.

Seating on this 777 was arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration, though we picked out one of the two seaters further back from row 51 onwards, so that we’d have privacy (well, as much as you can), and I’d highly recommend these seats to any couples.

Boarding was carried out, once unblocked, with ruthless efficiency and we were quickly ready for departure. Waiting at our seats was a small, very useful amenity kit that turns into a large tote bag, as well as a pillow and blanket. None of which you’d probably want to borrow permanently, although I will say the amenity kit tote bags came with us.

Behind us came the pre-departure entertainment in the form of one passenger trying to chat up the other passenger. It kept us gripped for a short while until the safety video commenced, and just like that, their conversation fell completely silent, never to be resurrected.

After a quick taxi around Dublin Airport to the ‘new’ runway, we were quickly airborne and ready to start enjoying the actual in-flight entertainment.

About an hour and a half into the flight, the meal options and beverage service began with great haste; a choice between chicken or pasta, along with a selection of beverages, which to my deep sadness, included wines and spirit choices.

We both went for the teriyaki chicken, which came with quinoa salad, a bread roll and very fruity passionfruit cheesecake. Drink refills were frequent during the meal and for about an hour afterwards.

After that, I was able to catch about a one-hour snooze until the kid in front managed to kick underneath his chair with sufficient force as to wake me with a shock.

The haul to Abu Dhabi passes quickly all things told, and it wasn’t long before we were around two hours out and an incredibly stodgy pizza slice was offered to any passenger showing signs of wakefulness, along with another drinks round.

By the time we finished up, the bright lights of Abu Dhabi were slowly coming into view, and we were about half an hour from landing – on what turned out to be a very circuitous approach path.

Abu Dhabi airport is – now – a pleasure to get through, and we were quickly landside looking for a SIM card. As a returning visitor, you can quickly clear immigration through the e-gates, with no further trouble.

Overall, this was a perfectly fine economy flight of just over 7 hours; but seat selection definitely feels critical considering the layout.