The Residence, I tell you about my experience aboard Etihad's Ultra First class
Probably the one released in recent days has been the most anticipated video by the entire TFC community, partly because [...]
Etihad Airways
AUH
United Arab Emirates
Probably the one released in recent days was the most anticipated video by the entire TFC community, also because for the first time I had anticipated my trip with a series of articles, but mostly I had posted photos and videos on our social channels, overcoming the 2M total views.
In this article:
- Specifications
- Aircraft:
- A380
- Class:
- The Residence
- Treat:
- AUH - SIN
- Book
As usual, however, months pass between when I fly and when I post a video, I often receive criticism for this policy that is different from other youtubers, But also with respect to other flight bloggers. My policy is simple, and it has been that way since the beginning.
I post one video review a week, barring special occasions, and the same goes for written reviews of flights, lounges, and hotels.
The Residence, Etihad's ultra first class
If you don't know what it is The Residence I tell you is a unique and unrepeatable product that Etihad installed aboard its A380s, was designed to eclipse Emirates' F, the first to offer showers to passengers on a commercial flight. It differs from other First Class seats because it is a true mini-apartment: there is a living area, bathroom and bedroom. All for one passenger, or at most two.
Other passengers have to make do with a small lounge, with plenty of storage and a real single bed, but it is not the same and in fact these chairs have been renamed The Apartment.
Reservation
I had already explained in a detailed article how the reservation of The Residence works And how you can book with points. I booked in two stages.
First, I bought the first-class ticket and a few days before leaving I made the upgrade, or rather, I chose seat 1A, which is what identifies The Residence.
At the airport
I landed in Dubai, and here I had made an appointment with the chauffeur of Etihad, I was picked up and escorted all the way to Abu Dhabi airport.
Here I was "left" on the sidewalk. No one to greet me, no one to help me with my luggage. This is the difference of First Class in the Middle East with what happens in Paris, Frankfurt or Zurich.
Reaching the check-in area, I took a seat in an armchair and I have waited for the attendant to bring me my boarding pass. Here, once again alone, I went through security, immigration, and like an ordinary passenger reached the lounge dedicated to first class passengers.
Etihad's First Class lounge
Abu Dhabi airport is brand new, Etihad's lounge opened in late 2023 and I had already reviewed the dedicated area for business passengers, but I had not yet had a chance to get into the first-class one.
Also reserved for passengers in The Residence are one of two small apartments within the lounge. They are a private lounge, with a bathroom. Here, at no cost, you can wait for boarding time without mixing with other patrons, simply calling the attendant should you need anything.
The SPA
There is also a spa inside the lounge, passengers in First do not get any free treatment, as opposed to those traveling in The Residence, who can enjoy a free 30-minute treatment. For example, with Air France this service is free for all passengers in La Première, as is the case for those in Emirates or Cathay who even offer it to everyone who can access the F lounge.
On board
As I clearly explained in the video, this time, I "violated" my policy and contacted the company to request that I be allowed on board 10 minutes before general boarding. It ended up being a lot less, but no big deal, I was able to get a quick tour of the rest of the plane.
Business class is similar to that found on the rest of the fleet.
No premium economy and the entire main floor is configured with the classic 3-4-3 found on all A380s.
The Apartment
Embarking earlier also helped me to be able to browse the other First Class seats. When I checked in, the night before the flight, we were only two passengers in First Class; on takeoff, however, the 10 seats were all filled, a sign that the faster Took advantage of an upgrade offer.
The seats are installed in a checkerboard pattern with passengers traveling one in the direction of flight and one in the opposite direction, as is the case with business class.
At the level of storage, The Apartment has a closet, of fair size, as well as space to store a trolley.
The seat is among the widest ever installed on an airplane; it has the same options as The Residence where two identical seats are installed. Then there is a bench that stretches out and becomes a real bed, by a mechanism entirely similar to what Singapore Airlines offers on its First Class aboard A380s..
At the service level, passengers get the same attention, only the rations are smaller, the menu differs for some dishes, and the same goes for the pampering you get from the crew.
Each passenger can quietly isolate himself from the view of others by closing the door to his "apartment."
The Residence
The excitement of stepping into this chair was so much, so much that at moments I did not I am aware Of a camera malfunction with the risk of losing all the footage.
The rooms as mentioned are 3: the living room, the bathroom and the bedroom.
There is the double chair, with the classic functions, but which obviously does not become a bed. You can manage everything from the touch screen. In addition to the tilt, brightness, firmness of the seat, you can also manage the curtains and the button to call the flight attendant.
There is then a door, with a mirror on the room, that leads to the hallway leading to the private bathroom and bedroom.
The bathroom is not very big, especially when compared to Emirates', but the point is that in EK's bathroom space here is the bedroom and shower room, not to mention that then there are the two bathrooms (one of which has a shower) for all other first class passengers.
The rules for showering are the same as at Emirates: 5 minutes of water that can be managed at will.ù
The only difference is that there is no time limit to stay in the bathroom, because it is yours alone and you don't have to share it with anyone.
The gem of this plane is really the bedroom.
A queen-size mattress, with the largest seat belt ever installed aboard an airplane. There is, of course, a giant second monitor, a bedside table with drawer, and all the small/bigger accouterments necessary (We are still on an airplane and there are safety rules to be followed).
If passengers in The Apartment have one door, there are 2 in The Residence.
No bars on Etihad's A380s
There is no coime bar on board Emirates or Qatar, but a social space similar to Virgin Atlantic's The Loft, but here we are on a considerably larger machine so you can play with your imagination.
Basically, the crew installs the table after takeoff and passengers can relax in this area which is positioned between the first class cabin and the business cabin, There is also an area for serving drinks, a television where they can watch a movie with friends or play a game of cards.
No more Butler
Pre-Covid, Etihad assigned each passenger in The Residence a personal butler. It was not just a differently dressed figure, it was really an attendant trained at the same school where the Butlers of Kings are trained. A unique service, like The Residence. Pre-flight to know the passengers' wishes, during and after disembarkation.
The service
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At the airport you are, almost, a passenger like everyone else. No escort, no reception, no ride in the golf car. This at least for those flying in the most exclusive cabin, and at full price, I would have expected.
Today an attendant, in my case a girl named Sinziana which has been flying first class with Etihad for 11 years, formed by former Butlers and has really made in 10 to satisfy all the requests and curiosities I had.
The amenity kit comes in an immense Armani-branded envelope. Inside, however, there is nothing amazing. Pajamas, creams, and the usual kit. Nothing comparable to what Emirates or Singapore offer.
The crew was really great, especially handling a passenger who was in an obvious altered state and was caught smoking in the restroom.
The details in this category make all the difference, and the china, decanter, and continuous pampering made this an unforgettable experience, such as the ability at the end of the flight to enter the cockpit and sit in the captain's seat.
IFE
All first-class passengers are offered wi-fi, which should be the norm, but is not always the case.
The IFE is the same for all passengers, or rather, the content is identical. Lots of movies, TV series, 6 channels of live TV and much more. The beauty here is to have one TV in the living room and one in the bedroom.
Food & Beverage
Here I have to say that Etihad really went the extra mile, certainly the A380 offers unique opportunities, and no other machine in production today will ever allow airlines to exceed what we have seen especially on Emirates, Singapore, and indeed EY.
From the first course, to the final chocolate, it was all a wedding feast.
Starting with the industrial amount of caviar served.
Right down to serving tea or breakfast in bed.
In conclusion
Once in a lifetime, but maybe even two or three. Of course it was just easier to accumulate Etihad Guest points in Italy, maybe would it be possible to move from Membership Rewards toward this company would really be a dream. I am looking forward to trying the regular version to See if there is that much difference. Of course not pampering the passenger throughout as La Premiere does, at least when flying in The Residence is a cardinal sin.
Pro
- Pretty much everything
- The service on board
Against
- No pampering at the airport
- There is no more butler
- Amenity kit below average