Etihad announces ‘The Residence’ – a First Class three-room cabin available on A380 flights
The UAE’s national airline has announced some stellar First Class products.
The Residence by Etihad is described by the carrier as “the world’s most luxurious living space in the air” – featuring a living room, separate double bedroom and en suite shower.
Starting from US $20,000, each Etihad Airways A380 will offer a boutique version of The Residence with different color palettes, table marquetry and custom carpets. Guests in The Residence will have the services of a personal butler – and the fully trained service professionals will receive specialist training at London’s Savoy Butler Academy.
“These new living spaces will raise inflight product and service standards to their highest level yet in commercial aviation and alter air travellers’ expectations of inflight comfort and luxury forever,” said James Hogan, Etihad’s president and CEO.
“Etihad Airways’ A380 and B787 will deliver the most advanced airline cabins in the industry, while meeting all weight, range and cost targets at our desired seat count. This will allow us to offer products unparalleled in quality and style, yet at competitive prices across all three cabins,” he added.
Guests in The Residence will also have a dedicated VIP Travel Concierge team who will ensure every detail of their travel experience, including ground transport, cuisine, and amenities, are tailored to their requirements.
Etihad’s A380 flights will also feature its new “First Apartments”, which are fully private suites with separate reclining lounge seat and a full-length bed. It also includes a chilled mini-bar, personal vanity unit and wardrobe.
Nine First Apartments will be installed on the upper deck in a 1-1 configuration creating the only single aisle First Class cabin in the industry.
Each apartment includes a reclining armchair and a full-length ottoman, both upholstered by Poltrona Frau. The ottoman transforms into a separate 80-inch long fully flatbed.
A fully equipped shower room is also available on the A380 for exclusive use by First Class guests – similar to UAE rival Emirates, Etihad has allocated the upper deck of the A380 for its premium offerings.
On Boeing 787 flights, Etihad has also unveiled an enhanced First Suite that adds a variety of new features.
The eight First Suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration along a unique curved aisle, which is billed as another first in commercial aviation. The centre seats’ armrests retract and the suites can be joined to create a ‘double’ bed. Other features include a chilled mini-bar and a 24-inch TV monitor.
