How I got to Abu Dhabi a few days before Formula 1 Grand Prix

There are only few days to start of Formula Etihad airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will held at Yas Marina Circuit. It's too late to go there, unless you have prepared at least a month earlier. The main reason for this is the period required for visa, and the lack of airplane tickets and tickets for formula 1 Grant Prix at reasonable prices.

Bosphorus from the air

The fastest way to go there is a flight with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, which will take you directly to the Abu Dhabi International Airport.  

Etihad Airbus A330 at Istanbul Ataturk airport

I traveled with transfer at Istanbul Ataturk airport and flight took about 4 hours and 40 minutes. The time during the flight passed very quickly, because the aircraft (Airbus A330) has very good inflight entertainment system (E-BOX) and the food was very good. Needless to say that on board service is at a very high level. 

Etihad Airbus A330 - economy class

Etihad Airbus A330 - economy class

Etihad Airbus A330 - business class

For each passenger on economy class, there are  blankets, pillows and headphones prepared. Unlike most other airlines, which offer earphones, Etihad provides headphones, which contributes to the full enjoyment of the rich music collection. The sound is HI-FI and the level of the background noise is minimized (well, not like Bose QuietComfort, but it's something). Besides the standard for this type of aircraft entertainment systems - flight maps, movies, games and music, the Etihad E-BOX also offers a very interesting according to me opportunity - 2 cameras transmitting real-time picture of the flight. 

Etihad E-BOX In-flight Entertainment System On A330 Istanbul - Abu Dhabi

One showing from the front part of the aircraft and second showing in landscape mode. I assure you, the thrill of seeing how plane takes off and lands on the monitor is great and makes you feel like you are in the cockpit.  

Etihad E-BOX In-flight Entertainment System On A330 Istanbul - Abu Dhabi

Etihad E-BOX In-flight Entertainment System - Communication possibilities 

In addition to the remote, you can navigate through the touch screen, also. There are also internet and phone connections, but you have to pay extra to use it. Call to ground will cost you 6 USD per minute.

 

Etihad E-BOX In-flight Entertainment System remote control

Menu lunch card, previously distributed by flight attendants included: Arabic chickpeas salad infused with olive oil for appetizer and Arabic coffee mousse with cardamom Anglaise sauce. Main course included - Turkish beef, fish sayadia or tagliatelle pasta. I was a little disappointed as the fish was over and I had to choose only between the two other dishes. I chose Turkish beef, which was very tasty, at all.

Etihad Menu lunch card

So seamlessly, while enjoying the entertainment system and the tasty lunch, we landed at the Abu Dhabi airport. I had been warned that there will be long queues because of the rush hour I landed, but luckily all the checks have passed very quickly. Note that in addition to standard security and customs checks, like in the U.S., there is a retinal scan, which takes a little more time. 

AbuDhabi International airport

AbuDhabi International airport

AbuDhabi International airport

The distance from airport to Yas Marina island takes about 20 minutes by car ( map ), so short after landing I had a chance to see the Formula one Grand Prix preparations and Yas Marina Circuit. Check here for hotels around the aiport and here for lodging around Yas Marina Circuit.

Yas Marina Circuit

Yas Marina Circuit

Yas Marina Circuit

 
If you want to know more interesting things about Abu Dhabi and Dubai, do not forget to follow my next posts.