Middle Eastern airline Etihad has announced plans to transform its premium lounge in Abu Dhabi.

The lounge, currently located in Terminal 1 at the airport in Abu Dhabi, will eventually be triple the size of the existing facility, seating up to 200 passengers at any one time.

First class flyers will be able to benefit from an exclusive area in the lounge, which will include a fine dining facility where food is prepared in an open kitchen.

Meanwhile, those taking business class flights to Abu Dhabi will also be able to enjoy a new lounge dedicated to business class customers.

Other new features will include a computer and games room, a "den" where passengers can watch television in comfort, a viewing deck that looks out onto the airfield and a spa room. The new lounge is expected to fully complete by the end of February.

"We have employed the talents of designers and interior experts from across the world to create a world-class facility at our Abu Dhabi base, which we believe will be a massive hit with our customers and the envy of our competitors," commented Peter Baumgartner, executive vice president of marketing and product for Etihad.

Etihad recently received the title of best business class airline at the Irish Travel Trade News Awards.

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