The Residence, Etihad's ultra first class is off the charts: my cool-headed impressions
On board the A380 Etihad offers a unique first-class cabin. It is not just a simple seat, but a true three-room suite called The Residence
Etihad Airways
Spoileralert if you're here to read a review of my experience aboard The Residence's A380, it's not time yet. As I had the opportunity to recount in a short video on IG and TikTok, by the way do you follow me there as well? the video will be released on April 19.
In this article:
To those who ask me why so late, I say. Having to publish one video per week requires content planning and a distribution of the publications, of course sometimes I make some breaks from the rules as with Emirates' new business class on the 777 or my journey of hell with Air India, But they are precisely exceptions.
However, about ten days after they are disembarked from Etihad's A380, one of five currently in service, I decided to answer some of the many questions I received after sharing some photos and a short video.
A reflection written with a cold mind, because in hot weather it was really impossible to do so.
Premiere at the level of service is unbeatable
Iron is one thing, but to make an experience special and incredible you need service above all, and here I have to say that EY doesn't come close to La Premiere. Especially before setting foot on board, the gap is really impressive. I used the chauffeur to get to the airport in Abu Dhabi, but I had to get my trolley from the trunk of the car by myself.
No one was there to greet me, no one escorted me, I was a very normal premium passenger and received the same treatment as any business traveler, except for being able to use the dedicated check-in area for F travelers.
The lounge is nice, but it is for many. It is not a separate small space reserved only for F travelers, here you also enter based on status and for a fee. Of course if you fly into The Residence, however, you are entitled to your "little apartment" reserved, but that is a separate discussion.
The Residence is pure madness
Once you set foot on board everything changes, no sane manager (in 2025) could design such a cabin.
EY seats 10 (or 11) passengers in first class on the A380, in the same space Singapore seats 6 and Emirates 8, but The Residence is a world apartAnd, for that very reason I still believe today, after traveling on this plane, Singapore's First Class the best in the world. And the reason is quickly stated The Apartment, that's the name of the other 9 first class seats on this plane, is a worse product even de La Premiere and of the Emirates Gamechanger.
The idea of having your own bed, your own private bathroom complete with shower in addition to a sitting area with a refrigerated minibar is really crazy.
No more butler, but Sinziana was perfect
The Residence created crazy hype just because of its board service, but with the covid everything changed. We already have to say thank you that EY's A380s are back in the air, but on board is no longer the Butler, the butler who would make contact with the passenger days before departure to arrange the whole trip, just like in a St Regis where the butler, during your stay, is at your complete disposal.
Sinziana. the assistant dedicated to The Residence was SPECTACULAR.. I had a chance to chat with her at length and she told me that an on-board team was formed by former Butlers and now they are the acting ones, although it is not the same since in addition to The Residence it was also assigned to two passengers from F. On board the level is higher than that offered by any other carrier on which I have flown first class, indeed it is probably a level above any other first class.
If you want to travel in two you have to pay double
So many readers/followers wrote to me, "But didn't you bring Marika?" And the reason is twofold. We could not leave Bete alone, but more importantly. to travel for two in The Residence you must pay for two first class bigleitti + two upgrades in The Residence, means a couple expense of no less than 20 thousand for a round-trip ticket.
This is a surprise, I thought as done by Lufthansa for its Allegris bridal suite., that The Residence option was valid for two, but it was not, even if you are traveling as a couple and even if by choosing The Residence you actually free up a place in The Apartment, if you want to enjoy it together with a traveling companion you have to pay for two upgrades.
Not only does the chair change
One thing I learned from tiring of questions from the crew is. not only the personal space changes, but also the menu, service and attention.
The lounge treatment is different, onboard portions are more generous, premium bottles are mainly served to those who choose this seat, and even some dishes are "exclusive" to those who occupy seat 1A.
For the first time in my life, they had me decanting wine aboard an airplane, really unthinkable stuff.
In conclusion
It was a crazy experience, a dream come true. The last question I answer is "Would you do it again?" my answer is absolutely yes, in fact I hope sooner or later to have the opportunity to do it again, maybe with Marika this time.
