Etihad First Class Apartment Review
Video
13 May 2016
Abu Dhabi - London
Etihad A380 First Class "Apartment" Seat 3K
Flight EY019 Flying time 7 hours 45mins
This is my 3rd time flying Etihad A380 First Class which I regard it as one of the very Best First Class product and a very different one to the conventional forward facing seating.
Before American Airlines AAdvantage Miles devaluation happened on 22nd March, I redeemed this flight in First Class for only 40,000 AAdvantage Miles, which cost just 700 dollars more or less!
This report intend to be a photo report. You can view more details on my previous flights in First Class "Apartment".
The journey started with Etihad Chauffeur drive pick up from my home and drop off at Abu Dhabi Premium check-in area at T3.
The check-in area has a face lift.
Waiting area inside the check-in area.
The A380 is docked at gate 33, today's EY019 flight to London is operated by the latest A380, A6-APG!
A quick visit to the Etihad Premium Lounge. The dedicated First Class lounge is not in-time to open yet! (scheduled to open on May 30th)
You can see the Premium Lounge details in this post.
I went for my favourite place before flight : Style and Shave area, only to be greeted by my favourite Barber Hasan.
The Hair and Shave salon menu.
Hair cut and shave is complimentary to First Class ticket holder.
As of 1 May 2016, you can only choose to have 1 complimentary treatment either in the Shave lounge or Spa.
Previously you can have both free.
Business Class passengers are no longer entitled to free Spa treatment.
Boarding was called at 7:30am for 8am departure.
We're extremely lucky to fly the latest A380 of Etihad's fleet of 7.
A6-APG was in service only a week ago before our flight!
Welcome drink : Mimosa, with the usual towel and arabic date service.
I was warmly welcome by the F&B manager Greg, a French national. He offered to take some photo for me including a selfie with the first class stewardess Magdalena from Poland.
Marhaba! Sorry but I can't handle the arabic coffee and date!
Since I am travelling with a friend, the middle barrier has been lowered.
Pushing back with the Swanky Abu Dhabi ATC tower.
Taxiing to Runway 13R for immediate departure.
Our flight route today
After takeoff drink and snack.
Apartment 3K
Apartment 3K and 4K
We have 8 out of 9 passengers in First Class. Zero in Residences (which is located at the most forward left hand side)
A selfie following my wife's selfie on her flight to Sydney.
Etihad A380 have the entire upper deck for Premium cabin. Therefore it has a curtain and chain off to the lower deck Economy passengers.
Since May 1st, the first class menu has some changes. Some items have been removed such as Rib eye steak and catch of the day while some popular items such as Biryani continue to stay.
My friend and I decided to dine together in his apartment, 4K.
Bread selection.
While he chose corn flakes as starter, I went for the scallops.
Next we both have our eggs cooked to order. He has fried egg sunny side up and I have scrambled egg with hollandaise sauce.
Chef Sisi from Bali, Indonesia personally deliver her dessert creation.
The dessert name, "Texture" is inspired by the famous El Bulli restaurant from Spain.
It is probably the nicest plate up dessert I've ever have. Etihad keeps improving on mastering the dessert!
All in all, it was a good breakfast. Eggs on airplane are always tricky to cook.
After the breakfast, we retreat to the onboard lounge to further continue our conversation.
I have a glass of Moroccan mint tea.
F&B manager Gregory looking after us and continue to top up our drinks.
A 'crewfie' together with our First Class chef, stewardess and manager; Sisi, Magda and Greg.
After the meal, it is time for a nap. (All you do in First Class is EAT and SLEEP)
Our beds are beautifully laid-out for some serious photography!
It's time for a nap in my personal onboard apartment!
Listening to my favourite tunes, watching the in-flight map moving in bed at 37,000 feet is a treat!
After about 3 hours of relaxation, I woke up and getting hungry again. It's time for lunch. We're over Central Europe already with 1.5 hours to go before landing.
This time I have the Carrot and Coriander Soup, which the chef pour in front of you!
A beautiful plated up Beef Fillet with vegetables.
And a chef special creation as dessert (I don't know the name)
The meal was excellent in both presentation and taste. It rivals restaurant quality.
Before landing, a bathroom visit is needed.
The crew informed me the shower is not working, unfortunately.
I received following gift from the crew, gold edge Etihad Playing card, shower amenity kit and a pen.
Approaching London under glorious weather, we're approaching from the East on Rwy 09R with about 20 minutes holding in the air.
At 13:15 we landed smoothly on Rwy 09R with a very short taxi to our gate in Terminal 4. London Heathrow ATC expedited our landing on the usual departure runway, follow by another A380 from Qatar Airways.
A last look of the Apartment before deplane.
Our plane A6-APG with beautiful weather in London.
Conclusion
That was my 3rd time flying the Etihad A380 Apartment and my excitement and enjoyment remain as high as the first time. It is such an amazing and innovative First Class which set it apart from the competitors. The crew are very approachable and delivered an awesome in-flight experience. The food presentation is gorgeous, rival of restaurant quality. The comfort and privacy level is done just right; even with the door closed, I have plenty of space to move around. It is really hard to flaw anything!
Thank you Etihad for providing me another stellar in-flight experience!
Video
Sam’s Travel Hacks
