Good trip so far although passenger to my right is pissed because his seat mechanism has failed and he can't make it into a bed. Etihad staff while polite have failed to appease him. Plane appears full so he cannot be moved. Hope he gets a full refund. Why else would you you shell out the big bikes for Bus Class?
Abu Dhabi looked amazing from the air- like one big theme park- as we flew over Ferrari World (which looks like like a great big tooth!) and Yas Marina F1 circuit. The airport was a lot better than Qatar airport was when we were there two years ago. Etihad not quite as good as Qatar airlines which seemed more modern and spacious. So you can have the airport or the airline but not both!
Appeared we flew over Iraq then up along the mighty Tigris with it's perimeter of farmland contrasting starkly with the never ending dryness that is the Middle East.
Only a few hours to London now. We are both feeling quite "chipper" actually. Wonder if the Queen has those guards practicing?