Luxury Travel

Etihad Airways Airbus A380 First Class House

August 21, 2024

Wednesday newsletters at all times function a lodge or flight evaluation.

I lately loved an outstanding vacation within the Maldives, the place I stayed on the archipelago’s 4 most unique ultra-luxury resorts. You may learn my evaluations right here:

At this time: Etihad Airways A380 First Class (Abu Dhabi to London)

I lately flew with Etihad Airways from Male (Maldives) to London (United Kingdom) with a stopover in Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). That was not a part of the unique plan, since I used to be scheduled to fly out of the Maldives with Beond, the brand new all-premium airline flying to and from the Maldives. Nonetheless, two weeks previous to my departure to the Maldives, I used to be knowledgeable by Beond that my flight from Male to Munich was cancelled (since Munich was downgraded from a everlasting to a seasonal vacation spot). I used to be solely provided an (unacceptable) choice to journey to Zürich as a substitute, both two days previous to or after my initially scheduled journey date. Luckily, I used to be in a position to ebook a last-minute award flight with Etihad as a substitute (and Beond refunded the return flight).

The seven hours flight from Abu Dhabi to London was operated by Etihad Airways’ flagship aircraft, the double-decker Airbus A380. The service has six A380s in its fleet, deploying them on routes from Abu Dhabi to New York, London, Paris, and Singapore. Etihad Airways pushed luxurious to a sky-high new stage and revolutionized First Class with the introduction of the ‘House’ idea on its A380 superjumbos in 2014. Greater than only a seat, the House has a big leather-based armchair and separate mattress. There may be even house to stroll round after closing the privateness doorways. The general expertise was mind-blowing (and not less than nearly as good as in comparison with my final Etihad First Class flight, which occurred previous to the pandemic).

Etihad Airways options in my prime 10 listing of the world’s finest airways for flying First Class.

Have you ever ever flown with Etihad Airways? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark beneath.

Journey: Abu Dhabi (AUH) to London (LHR)
Airline: Etihad Airways
Plane sort: Airbus A380
Plane registration quantity: A6-APG (delivered to Etihad in 2016)
On time departure: Sure (2 am)
On time arrival: Sure (6 pm)
Miles: 3430 (5520 km)
Flight time: 7 hours
Seat: 3K
Class: First Class

On this evaluation (extra info & pictures beneath my YouTube clip):

Value of my ticket
Etihad Airways lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport
First Class cabin
First Class seat (+ finest & worst seats)
Facilities
Meals
Leisure
Onboard web
Onboard bar (‘The Foyer’)
First Class toilet with bathe
Service & cabin crew
My verdict (rating)

1. COST OF MY TICKET

I paid this one-way ticket (Enterprise Class from Male Abu Dhabi and First Class from Abu Dhabi to London) with miles & money: $190 USD + 65,000 miles. The ticket was booked through American Airways’ frequent flyer program AAdvantage (Etihad is a companion airline of American Airways). Learn my evaluation of AAdvantage (with professionals, cons, & ideas) right here.

2. ETIHAD AIRWAYS LOUNGE AT PARIS CDG AIRPORT

First Class passengers have entry to Etihad’s unique First Class lounge, which is situated on the highest flooring of the airline’s brand-new lounge complicated in Terminal A of Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport. I’ve beforehand revealed a separate evaluation of this lounge (with dozens of pictures), which you’ll be able to learn right here.

3. FIRST CLASS CABIN

The First Class cabin on Etihad’s Airbus A380 is situated on the aircraft’s ahead higher deck. The cabin has a genuinely residential really feel and classy decor, with a impartial coloration palette of soothing beige tones and a few darkish wooden touches. Two superbly crafted partitions body the aisle (which results in the ahead staircase) and maintain the sliding entrance doorways of the Residences. Lighting patterns within the ceiling tasks Arabian motifs on the partitions and flooring, creating an elegant ambiance.

Etihad Airways’ A380 First Class cabin is among the trade’s few single aisle cabins on a large physique plane. It options 9 Residences in complete. There are 5 Residences on the precise aspect of the cabin (with two bathrooms within the entrance), whereas the left aspect options solely 4 Residences. This asymmetry is defined by the truth that the lacking fifth House and bathrooms on the left aspect of the cabin are changed by The Residence. The latter is the world’s most unique airline ‘seat’ and contains a non-public front room, separate en-suite bathe room, and a bed room with a double mattress. You may learn my evaluation of The Residence right here.

Click on right here for a seat map of Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380.

4. FIRST CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)

The A380 First Class cabin has 9 Residences in complete: 5 with a rear-facing seat (1H, 3A, 3K, 5C & 5H) and 4 with a forward-facing seat (2C, 2H, 4A & 4K). The Residences 3A, 4A, 3K and 4K have their seats situated subsequent to the window, whereas within the different Residences, the seats are situated nearer to the aisle away from the window, making it tougher to benefit from the views in the course of the flight. Six of the Residences (3A & 4A, 3K & 4K, and 1H & 2H) are interconnecting, with a divider that may be lowered to hitch rooms, which is ideal for {couples} or mates touring collectively.

Every House contains a snug armchair and a separate House-wide bench, each upholstered with superb Poltrona Frau leather-based. The snug recliner seat has a pitch of 80 inches (203 cm) and is 29.5 inches (75 cm) broad. It’s outfitted with in-seat therapeutic massage and a pneumatic cushion management system. The seat has two arm rests: one holds the bifold tray desk, whereas the opposite holds the House and inflight leisure system controls. On the push of a button, you may change the place of the seat, increase or decrease the window blinds, and management the sunshine settings for quite a lot of lamps situated inside the House.

Subsequent to the seat is a big vainness unit with a lit make-up mirror. Beneath this cupboard a small storage field, a minibar (stocked with Coke, Sprite and water) and a drawer for blanket stowage.

In entrance of the seat is an House-wide ottoman, which is multifunctional. It may be used as a footrest when watching TV, or it may be used as an extra seat for “buddy eating’. The bench may also be flattened out into a completely flat mattress that’s 80.5 inches (205 cm) lengthy. The flight attendants present luxurious turn-down service, and canopy the mattress with a good mattress, quilt, cotton sheets and two pillows. Passengers touring in one of many interconnecting Residences can decrease a divider to benefit from the consolation of a semi-double mattress.

What are the finest First Class seats on Etihad Airways’ A380? Click on right here for a seat map.

Journey companions ought to choose the interconnecting Residences that may develop into one house when reducing a divider (3A & 4A, 3K & 4K, or 1H & 2H).
For those who wish to look out of the window, select one of many Residences the place the seat is situated proper subsequent to the window (3A, 3K, 4A or 4K).

What are the worst First Class seats on Etihad Airways’A380?

For those who don’t wish to be seated in a rear going through seat, keep away from Residences H1, 3A, 3K, 5C and 5 H.

5. AMENITIES

Throughout my First Class flight onboard Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380, I obtained the next facilities:

A First Class amenity package, designed by Italian luxurious model Acqua Di Parma. The package was offered as a yellow pouch and contained socks, eyeshades, toothpaste, toothbrush and Acqua Di Parma skincare merchandise (e.g. lipbalm, physique lotion, and perfume).
Excessive-quality pajamas and slippers designed by “A Pal Of Mine,” an Emirati vogue model.
Phitek branded noise-cancelling headphones; they have been of nice high quality as they successfully suppressed cabin noise and engine drone.
Sleeping facilities, which includes a trendy blanket, quilted mattress, and two pillows (flip down service was offered upon request).

FYI, since I took this flight, Etihad has modified their onboard First Class facilities:

Friends flying in First Class now get a Giorgio Armani and Etihad branded giant folio bag – one of many largest amenity kits within the sky. Collectable in 4 colors, the bag can be utilized post-flight to hold paperwork, tablets or perhaps a 13” laptop computer. The massive folio bag comes full of goodies from ESPA.
First Class visitors are additionally gifted bespoke Giorgio Armani and Etihad loungewear and slippers, offered within the giant Giorgio Armani folio bag. The charcoal loungewear is smooth to the contact, anti-wrinkle, and contains a Henley neckline and bespoke tonal print impressed by the trendy Abu Dhabi skyline, in addition to matching trousers with pockets.

6. MEALS

Throughout this flight, a multi-course lunch was served after takeoff, though First Class passengers may additionally order different meals later within the flight. The trendy menu card featured a particular grill part, obtainable to Etihad’s First Class passengers solely, with signature dishes ready to order (e.g. black cod, beef tenderloin, and hen breast) and a spread of delicate sauces and sides.

I select the next lunch choice from the menu:

Signature Oscietra caviar service with conventional garnishes
Starter: candy potato & kale soup, with brazil nuts and crispy kale
Intermezzo: grapefruit sorbet (palate cleanser)
Important course: lamb Boukhari, served with Boukhari rice, fried onion, raisin, and smoked cardamom yoghurt
Dessert: heat chocolate & vimto fondant, served with Laben ice cream, date batheeth crumb, berries

Previous to touchdown, I ordered one of many dishes from the grill menu: steak frites, fillet of beef, frites, tomatoes, béarnaise.

Meals was okay and the superb bone chinaware, cutlery and crystal glassware accomplished the superb eating expertise at 40,000 toes. That stated, I used to be not blown away by what I used to be served, however possibly that’s as a result of I used to be a bit unfortunate with my meal decisions. Whereas I like Etihad Airways, I discover their meals repetitively to be one among their weaker factors and never as refined as in comparison with the meals served by its Asian opponents (e.g. Cathay Pacific, Eva Air, Singapore Airways).

7. ENTERTAINMENT

Every First Class House has a swiveling 24-inch (60 cm) flat-screen, which might be tilted so passengers can nonetheless watch TV when they’re mendacity of their mattress. The inflight leisure options a whole lot of hours of on-demand leisure, with greater than 300 TV reveals in addition to greater than 100 motion pictures, 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).

8. ONBOARD INTERNET

All of Etihad Airways’ A380s are outfitted with WiFi, and First Class passengers get a voucher for complimentary WiFi.

9. THE LOBBY

Etihad Airways has put in a lounge on the higher deck of the A380 between First and Enterprise Class, designated ‘The Foyer’. The latter is an intimate house that’s extra resemblant of a lounge in a boutique lodge than an airplane cabin, and it’s the good spot to loosen up or socialize with different passengers. It seats as much as six visitors and is fitted with seatbelts, energy provide, connectivity ports, and a widescreen TV (so you may watch a dwell sport or sporting occasion with different visitors).

10. LAVATORY

Etihad Airways’ First Class cabin on the A380 has two bathrooms within the entrance. Each bathrooms have a stunning design and are stocked with Acqua di Parma toiletries. One of many bathrooms additionally contains a absolutely outfitted bathe room. Every First Class passenger has entry to five minutes of working water within the bathe, though you may activate and off the water provide as many time as you need.

11. SERVICE & CABIN CREW

The worldwide cabin crew on this flight was skilled and pleasant (e.g. addressing me by title and presenting themselves individually earlier than take-off). All requests have been handled promptly and cordially. On a aspect observe, Etihad Airways’ cabin crew wears very trendy uniforms by Italian designer Ettore Bilotta. The chocolate-brown, purple and orange colours mirror the model of Etihad Airways, which is headed by Australian James Hogan.

12. MY VERDICT

Cabin design: 10/10
Seat consolation (upright place): 9/10
Seat consolation (mattress place): 9/10
Seat privateness: 10/10
Meals (high quality): 9/10
Meals (amount): 10/10
Inflight leisure : 9/10
WiFi: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Facilities: 10/10
Total expertise: distinctive: 9,5/10

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