Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a resort or flight evaluate.
Today: Review – Etihad A380 The Residence (Abu Dhabi to London flight)
I just lately flew in The Residence onboard an Etihad Airways Airbus A380 from Abu Dhabi to London. The Residence is a step past First Class and the one three-room suite on a passenger plane, that includes a non-public bed room, ensuite lavatory (with bathe), and a front room. The uber-luxurious area is situated on the A380’s higher deck and might accommodate a most of two passengers a front room. The Residence is solely accessible on Etihad Airways’ A380 plane on routes between Abu Dhabi, London and New York.
The Residence was first launched by Etihad in 2014, with one-way tickets between London and Abu Dhabi beginning at $20,000 USD. Besides a flight on the earth’s most unique cabin, passengers of The Residence additionally loved facilities like non-public butler service, custom-made menus by onboard cooks, and entry to unique airport lounges. While The Residence generated an unlimited quantity of worldwide publicity for Etihad, the three-room suite was method above the price range of the touring public, so it was empty as a rule (opposite to Etihad’s First Class suites, which bought very properly).
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, Etihad saved its A380 plane and the way forward for The Residence appeared unsure. However, with the resurgent journey demand, Etihad introduced again a small variety of its A380 plane in 2023, The Residence together with them. The spectacular laborious product of The Residence stays intact, however these days, the three-room suite is bought as an improve to First Class passengers (both to be paid by miles or money). Etihad has additionally eradicated the butler service and customised menus, and the facilities and culinary providing at the moment are the identical as in First Class.
Have you ever flown in The Residence by Etihad? If so, what was your expertise? Leave a remark.
In this evaluate (extra data & pictures beneath my YouTube video):
- Etihad First Class lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport
- Cabin
- The Residence
- Amenities
- Lunch
- Inflight leisure & Wifi
- My rating (verdict)
1. ETIHAD FIRST CLASS LOUNGE AT ABU DHABI AIRPORT
Passengers flying in The Residence have entry to Etihad’s super-exclusive First Class lounge, which is situated on the highest ground of the airline’s brand-new lounge complicated in Terminal A of Abu Dhabi International Airport. I’ve beforehand printed a separate evaluate of this lounge (with dozens of pictures), which you’ll be able to learn right here. For the last word rest and indulgence earlier than flying, First class Private Suites can be found for friends to work, chill out and dine in full privateness. The Private Suites are complimentary for friends flying in The Residence and accessible for reserving by all different First Class lounge friends.
2. CABIN
The Residence by Etihad is situated on the left hand facet on the entrance of the First Class cabin on the Airbus A380’s higher deck. So, the three-room suite is throughout the aisle and in entrance of Etihad’s 9 First Class suites (that are referred to as Apartments).
The Residence is definitely a really intelligent use of some wasted area on the A380. In the entrance of the A380’s higher deck is a big staircase, and the areas on either side of this staircase can’t be used for seating due to the curving partitions and slender dimensions. Most airways have struggled to seek out something nice to fill these areas with they usually got here up with options like a tiny lounge (Qantas), a galley (Korean) or lavish bathrooms with showers (Emirates).
However, Etihad made a wise transfer and turned the area on the appropriate of the A380’s staircase right into a lavish bathroom with bathe whereas it remodeled the area on the left into what’s now referred to as the world’s most well-known First Class aircraft seat, The Residence (and one which passengers are even paying for, leading to additional income for the airline). To create The Residence, Etihad prolonged the entrance row First Class Suite on the left facet into this wasted area, leading to a three-room suite: the sitting room (the place the First Class suite would have been), a rest room with bathe, and a mattress wedged into the nook on the entrance.
The Residence shares the identical cabin with the opposite First Class Apartements. However, similar to with the First Class Apartments, The Residence has a double sliding door that, when closed, supplies a good quantity of privateness. Also, the partitions round The Residence are increased than for any of the opposite suites, leading to some additional stage of privateness. Privacy is just not full although as different friends – on their approach to the First Class bathroom – can nonetheless look over the door into The Residence’s Living Room.
3. THE RESIDENCE
The Residence is comprised of three separate areas:
- The first room of The Residence – which is linked to the aisle by a sliding door – is known as the lounge. The front room includes a two-seat reclining couch upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather-based with two marquetry eating tables (that are saved within the armrests). In entrance of the couch is a 32-inch LCD TV in addition to an ottoman, with a calming mini-bar beneath. A touchscreen management unit on the facet of the couch operates the retractable ottoman, the ambient and temper lighting, window shading, adjusts seat place and firmness, and prompts the in-seat therapeutic massage capabilities. The AC outlet and USB ports are additionally discovered on the facet of the seat.
- A door and passageway separate the lounge from the master suite. The bed room includes a Poltrona Frau upholstered 82 inch (208 cm) lengthy double mattress (so no queen nor king) with custom-made mattress, bedside unit, wardrobe, and under-bed stowage for hand baggage. The bed room boasts its personal 27 inch LCD TV.
- Between the lounge and the master suite is an ensuite lavatory, geared up with a bathe, bathroom and one sink, and stocked with toiletries.
While The Residence’s front room is sort of a bit bigger than the First Class Apartments, the lavatory and particularly bed room really feel tight (as a result of the area narrows in direction of the aircraft’s nostril).
4. AMENITIES
Passengers flying in The Residence obtain the identical facilities are vacationers flying in First Class:
- A First Class amenity equipment. During my flight (final March), Etihad supplied its outdated amenity kits designed by Italian luxurious model Acqua Di Parma. However, since then, the airline has launched new facilities. Guests who now fly in The Residence or First Class are handled to a classy Giorgio Armani and Etihad branded massive folio bag – one of many largest amenity kits within the sky. Collectable in 4 colours, the bag can be utilized submit flight to hold paperwork, tablets or perhaps a 13” laptop computer, and goals to be a coveted accent for all vacationers. The massive folio bag comes full of goodies from ESPA.
- The Residence and First Class friends are additionally gifted bespoke Giorgio Armani and Etihad loungewear and slippers, introduced within the massive Giorgio Armani folio bag. The charcoal loungewear is smooth to the contact, anti-wrinkle, and includes a Henley neckline and bespoke tonal print impressed by the fashionable Abu Dhabi skyline, in addition to matching trousers with pockets.
- Bose noise-cancelling headphones, which successfully suppressing cabin noise and engine drone (you’ll want to depart them behind on the finish of the flight).
- Three fashionable blankets (to be shared amongst The Residence’s two passengers).
5. LUNCH
Guests of The Residence get the identical menu as First Class passengers, besides for 2 variations: the menu is wrapped in a leather-based holder and afternoon-tea is an additional addition to the menu.
I select the next choice from the menu:
- Signature Oscietra caviar service with conventional garnishes
- Starter: candy potato & kale soup, with brazil nuts and crispy kale
- Main course: Steak frites, fillet of beef, frites, tomatoes, béarnaise
- Dessert: heat chocolate & vimto fondant, served with Laben ice cream, date batheeth crumb, berries
The meals tasted nice and was superbly introduced.
6. ENTERTAINMENT & WIFI
The Residence options two TV screens: an enormous 32-inch LCD TV in the lounge and a 27 inch LCD TV within the bed room. The inflight leisure options tons of of hours of on-demand leisure, with greater than 300 TV reveals in addition to greater than 100 films, starting from blockbusters to timeless classics and representing all corners from the world (Hollywood, Arabic, European, Indian and Asian Cinemas). Etihad Airways’ inflight leisure system additionally options dwell TV channels (e.g. BBC, CNN).
Passengers flying on Etihad’s The Residence in addition to First Class passengers get complimentary WiFi throughout the flight.
7. MY VERDICT
- Suite design: 8/10
- Seat consolation (upright): 9/10
- Seat consolation (mattress place): 10/10
- Seat privateness: 10/10
- Food (high quality): 8/10
- Food (amount): 10/10
- Amenities: 8/10
- Inflight leisure : 9/10
- WiFi: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Overall expertise: distinctive 9.2/10
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