A woman enjoys a chef-cooked meal in the seven-foot double bed in The Residence, Etihad Airlines … [+]
Is the COVID-19 pandemic over? President Biden declared it over on September 18, 2022 on 60 Minutes, much to the consternation of his advisors and covidians everywhere.
But what could be a better sign than the return of on-board excess from Etihad Airways, featuring the comeback of its A380s with its famous The Residence and The Apartment first class cabins?
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is working to recruit and train crews for the big planes, including pilots, cabin crew and technical ground staff. The plan is to restore its A380s, grounded by COVID in March of 2020, and get them back in the air. Four of the super-jumbos will start flying again in summer 2023, with initially announced flights to operate between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow.
Etihad has ambitious plans for the return of the business traveler next year as well. Starting April 24th20, 23, Etihad Airways will fly twice a day, seven days a week, on the Abu Dhabi – New York route, providing a total of 14 weekly nonstop services to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The flights will be operated with both Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. In addition to the Abu Dhabi-New York route, similar aircraft will provide daily service to both Chicago and Washington, for a total of 28 weekly flights this summer between Abu Dhabi and the United States.
But the headliner is the return of the A380 to service with Etihad. The Airbus A380 is a distinctive aircraft, and Etihad’s A380s are arguably the most distinctive of all. The reintroduced Etihad A380s feature what are essentially ten first class cabins in the front of the aircraft, including the distinctive Residence and nine ‘Apartments.’
An Etihad Airways A380 in flight. Etihad’s fleet of A380 superjumbo aircraft have been in storage … [+]
Etihad says the comeback of The Residence marks “the return of one of the most remarkable commercial flying experiences in the sky.” As The Residence is literally upper-class service on the top deck of the double-decker A380, including an impeccably decorated three-room apartment with one’s own bathroom and shower, 7-foot double bed and service from butler and chef, it is difficult to argue the point.
That The Residence also has the highest airfare in the aviation industry is also difficult to argue. First Class flights from Abu Dhabi to London or Sydney in The Residence priced pre-pandemic at over $20,000. (Although one writer scored “My $23,000 flight on the Etihad Residence & Apartment for $104 – Etihad A380 First Class”.)
Will The Residence be updated after what will be almost a 3½ year sabbatical? Too early to say, although a new partnership between Etihad and Armani/Casa may offer a clue. The Armani/Casa collaboration introduces ‘The Constellation Collection’, a new dining service featuring ceramics, glassware, cutlery and serving ware, as well as premium textiles. While Etihad is calling it a ‘beyond Business’ experience, no doubt the same kind of attention will be paid to First Class passengers.
If you can’t score The Residence, Etihad’s A380’s also feature nine First Class First Apartments directly behind it on the upper deck. If The Residence is a three-room home in the sky, The Apartments are studio flats. The Apartments are set across a single-aisle and “offer a private living space” with a large leather lounge chair. The chair is mated with an ottoman which opens up to become a separate 80.5″ long fully-flat bed. To while away the long flight, travelers relaxing in the First Apartment can watch the big 24″ swiveling LCD TV television or primp at the personal vanity unit.
First Class guests can also mingle with Business Class travelers in The Lobby. The Lobby is a lounge and bar area between the First and Business class cabins with leather sofas, refreshments and a large TV with USB connection.
Man uses the private bathroom with shower in The Residence, Etihad Airways premier First-Class … [+]
In addition to First and Business Class, the Etihad A380s can also carry up to 400 travelers in Economy Class. Booking information for the A380 and other flights can be found at etihad.com.
“We know this will be welcomed by our guests who love Etihad’s incredible A380 and its award-winning cabins. We have decided the time is right to return some of our A380s into the fleet to satisfy the demand which has made them financially viable once more,” says Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways. “We look forward to welcoming our guests again on board this remarkable aircraft.”