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Browsing Tag: Etihad Airways Residence

Flying Reimagined – Etihad A380 Tour at the Dubai Airshow

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The highlight of the show, the Etihad A380 Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter

The highlight of the show, the Etihad A380 – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter

Ever since I booked my trip to attend the Dubai Airshow, I had been quietly hoping that Etihad would bring their flagship A380 to the static display. This was, however, a long shot, as Etihad only has four A380s in service; to take one out of service for an airshow is a big ask. Emirates had confirmed sometime out that they would have an A380 on static display, as did Qatar Airways, but these two models did not excite me nearly as much as the Etihad A380.

Boarding the Etihad A380 for the media tour Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter

Boarding the Etihad A380 for the media tour – Photo: Jacob Pfleger | AirlineReporter

I could barely contain my excitement, when on the first day of the airshow, Etihad confirmed their A380 would make an appearance the following day! As the aircraft was only scheduled to remain at Al Maktoum Airport for a few hours before returning to Abu Dhabi, it was my first priority to go see this aircraft.

We met with the PR staff at the Etihad chalet and they were more than willing to give us a tour of the aircraft, even driving to the display from the chalet in custom-branded golf carts — talk about a VIP experience.

Etihad Airways Shows Off A380 Residence – A True Class Above First

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A private jet beating double bed will be part of Etihad's A380 Residence. Rendering - Etihad Airways

A private jet beating double bed will be part of Etihad’s A380 Residence. Rendering – Etihad Airways

When I awoke yesterday to news that Etihad had launched a single cabin “residence” aboard their A380, I was suspicious. A lot of airlines have said that their A380 suite product was a class above first.

I’ll let Dannii Minouge explain…

If that wasn’t enough, the residence comes with a butler trained by the Savoy Butler Academy in London. Of course, it also comes with a private en suite shower facility.

Don’t have a spare $42,000 USD lying around? That’s okay. Because Etihad has managed to blow first class out of the water on their A380s as well.

In a true, 1-1 layout. Etihad brings you the First Class Apartment, because suites are old hat.