Basically off one plane, through security, and into the terminal for departure. No need to clear immigration.
We arrived at the old terminal I think, and left from the new one. Or perhaps it was v.v. Both the terminals were pretty dire… hot and crowded (landed at 7am I think and left at 10 or whatever). If I transferred to the ‘new’ terminal then it was in need of updating already!
The business class lounge was still in covid mode, so barely any food, and what was there was pre-packaged. That has probably all changed now. But the shower room was unairconditioned, meaning 35 degrees in the bathroom and shower suites. As soon as you got out the shower you were wet again
If you are arriving in F and continuing in the highest cabin available I think I read EY allows you into their F lounge. I suspect that might be a step up.
The major downside of EY was the transit in AUH. Food on board sounds fancy, but is probably about ‘average’. Nothing to complain about, good cafeteria style offering. The crew were excellent… and the seat itself very comfortable for sleeping and super long.