I flew Dublin-Kuala Lumpur return in business class in Sept 2010. First of all the business class fare was reasonably priced compared to most airlines (but bear in mind it still costs about 4x the economy fare). The complimentary limousine service that I used in Dublin was impeccable.
The seats looked worn out and were quite narrow but they turn into a lie-flat bed and all seats have direct aisle access which was great. Nonetheless they were quite filthy and looked like they have not been cleaned for months ( and all this in business class!). On the way out the service on the plane was excellent, the stewardess (she is from the Czech Republic) who looked after me on the Dublin-Abu Dhabi leg was great and was very pleasant.
In contrast another stewardess whom I believe was the purser as she was wearing a different uniform needs to learn some common courtesy as she never smiled and her attitude gives me the impression that she thinks customers are a nuisance. I think she should remember that without us she would not have a job! This shoddy treatment IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED AS A BUSINESS CLASS PASSENGER. As for the food served onboard it was of very poor quality. I remember ordering a dish on the way back which was supposed to be Malaysian (ikan masak lemak) which was outright disgusting because it was so dry.
I really wonder what sort of muck they serve in economy if this is what you get in business class! To finish the overall experience was definitely ruined by the overcrowded lounge in Abu Dhabi. This is the lounge for business class passengers but it was so packed that one has to circle around like in a hospital canteen to sit down and eat! I thought the six and a half hour wait for the onward flight to Kuala Lumpur would not be too painful because I had access to this lounge! I was certainly disappointed.
On the way back it was worse, the plane from Kuala Lumpur landed in Abu Dhabi around midnight and it was even more crowded that despite my hunger I chose not to eat as the prospect of having to explore every corner of this "exclusive" lounge just to find a place to sit and eat was a nightmare!!!
However the Malaysia Airlines lounge in Kuala Lumpur that Etihad uses for business class passengers was great, lots of room and no problems with seats. Etihad needs to look into their premium lounge in Abu Dhabi as this is their hub. When paying as a premium passenger a bit of extra comfort in transit is not too much to expect. This lounge needs to be twice the size for the number of passengers using it.
WROTE A FEEDBACK ON THEIR WEBSITE AND THE RESPONSE WAS UNSATISFACTORY SO I WILL NOT RECOMMEND THIS AIRLINE AND I WILL NOT BE FLYING WITH THEM AGAIN.