Etihad A380s were grounded and stored in Teruel, Spain during the pandemic. Earlier this year, the airline made an announcement that 4 of its A380 will be returning to service flying between London and Abu Dhabi.
I was invited to try out the Etihad First Class experience onboard their A380 from London to Abu Dhabi recently.
Video
In my video below, the Captain gave a thorough briefing of the flight and how the crew has to re-qualify to fly on the A380.
Enjoy the takeoff footage from the cockpit.
The Best Seat in First Class
Etihad has 9 First Class apartments in unique seating configurations.
In fact, each First Class Apartment seating is unique with different facing, some allow pairs to be seated across the aisle. This unconventional design makes the Etihad First Class apartment stand out. The best seats are window seat 4A and 4K with forward facing. Some seats have cream beige leather while some others have darker brown leather.
Takeoff Video
Enjoy the takeoff footage from the cockpit.
The Flight – from London to Abu Dhabi
I ordered a glass of mimosa after takeoff and went through the extensive menu which not only featured 5 choices of food, it also has a grill menu. Food and beverage are completely on-demand.
Unique First Class Bedding
The ottoman can be converted into a flatbed while you still have space. This unconventional design makes the Etihad First Class apartment stand out. I was even offered a shower at 39,000 feet before landing.
For couples traveling together, Apartment 3A and 4A, 3K and 4K can be converted into adjacent beds together.
Good Deal on Etihad A380 First Class
I found some great one-way Etihad First Class deals from Bangkok to London throughout the year.
Bangkok – London Etihad First Class Deal (One-way)
Note that the Bangkok (BKK) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) sector will be operated in a Business Class cabin.
Bangkok(BKK) – London(LHR) – From $2,571 One-way
The terms and conditions of the carriage are as below:
- RESERVATION AND TICKETING: RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS
- MAXIMUM STAY: NONE UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
- MINIMUM STAY: NONE UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
- STOPOVERS: UNLIMITED FREE STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT
- CANCELLATIONS: CANCELLATIONS PERMITTED FOR CANCEL/REFUND
- CHANGES: CHANGES PERMITTED FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION
The Residence – Available for Upgrade
Before landing, I had an opportunity to visit The Residence which is a 3-room suite with your own living room, bathroom and bedroom.
With the return of Etihad’s A380 to service, you are now able to book its exclusive ‘The Residence’ cabin located at the front of the First Class cabin. And the best thing is you are now able to make an upgrade if you have a confirmed First Class ticket.
In order to score an upgrade to The Residence, you must first book the First Class fare directly from Etihad’s website. As of now, award tickets redeemed by partner programs are not eligible for the upgrade offer.
There are two ways to upgrade:
- Upgrade at the time of the booking
- Upgrade after you made your booking through the ‘Manage’ tab
From £1,987.90 ($2,564) per person
My Verdict
Etihad A380 First Class Apartment is one of the best First Class products out there at the moment. It offers some of the best premium and exclusive experiences in flying. My favourite part is how they have designed the apartment, using the horizontal space available to have 1 chair and 1 bed with space to move around.
The only caveat is, they have just 4 A380 returning to service and fly only between London and Abu Dhabi. It may be difficult for everyone to experience it.
Mr. N Carnay- You take yourself too seriously. Kinda no one cares that you’re a firm with top marks from Trip Advisor. Kinda like nobody cares that I’m really great at teaching sailing, and win awards all the time.
Sam – Nice review. Thanks for the info/photos on seating – I’m traveling with my partner and nabbed 4A and 3A after seeing your photos.
I’m hoping you have directed this to EY and not Sam’s trip page only?
An excellent summary of your trip. Thanks. We can only wish…..
Subject: Disappointing Experience and Suggested Improvements
Dear Sir/Madam,
I trust this message finds you well. I am writing to express my disappointment regarding the recent service I encountered during my travel with your airline. I believe that open communication is essential for any business, and I hope that my feedback can contribute positively to enhancing your services.
During my recent journey from London Heathrow (LHR) to Manila (MNL) with a layover at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), I experienced several issues that significantly impacted my travel experience. The primary concern arose at the boarding gate of my connecting flight from AUH to MNL.
Upon my initial inquiry at LHR, I was informed that a paid upgrade at the boarding gate is possible. With this understanding, my sister and I, both flying due to a family bereavement, were looking forward to a comfortable experience in business class. However, when I approached the ground staff at the AUH boarding gate, I was informed that the upgrade was possible however, I need to have it processed at the transfer desk, despite my understanding that it could be arranged and paid based on passenger load at the boarding gate. My sister flew from Amsterdam on Business all the way to MNL and I came from LHR flying to MNL via an 8 hours lay over at AUH airport. She had to keep visiting me at the economy class. I haven’t seen her for many years and hoping that we could support each other whilst en route. This was not a holiday for us but a bereavement.
What compounded my disappointment was that the transfer desk staff at AUH had previously affirmed the possibility of an upgrade at the boarding gate, reaffirming my expectations. As I was navigating the airport layout for the first time, finding the transfer desk presented a minor obstacle, and assistance from your staff would have greatly facilitated the process as an hour seemed appropriate to have it processed. The ground staff was not keen enough to make efforts to help.
In addition to the upgrade issue, I noted a discrepancy in the level of service provided by the cabin crew during my flight from LHR to AUH. Observing a preferential treatment given to certain passengers raised concerns about fairness and equal treatment among passengers. As someone with considerable customer service experience, I believe such disparities should not occur, as they can detract from the overall passenger experience.
Furthermore, I wish to emphasise that as a professional who runs their own business in customer service, I understand the significance of upholding a high standard of service. My disappointment is rooted in my belief that the level of service I encountered during this journey did not align with the reputation your airline holds.
As an enthusiast for sharing my travel experiences, I actively participate as a Level 8 Local Guide on Google and contribute reviews on Tripadvisor. It is in this capacity that I feel compelled to communicate my experience, highlighting both positive and negative aspects.
I am a firm believer in constructive feedback, and I sincerely hope my comments are received with an understanding of my intent to assist in improving your services. I trust that you are committed to ensuring that every passenger’s journey is smooth and satisfactory. My journey with your airline could have been notably positive with a minor additional assistance, and I believe such small gestures can greatly impact passenger perception, customer journey and overall total experience having used your service for the first time as I am a regular Emirates Airline passenger having worked with them during my younger days when I was in Dubai.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my feedback. I have included my credentials below to provide context to my professional background. I look forward to a potential resolution and the assurance that your staff’s training and commitment to customer satisfaction remain paramount.
Sincerely,
Mr. N Carnay
Google Dinez Taxis
Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence Awards 2017, 2018, and 2019
Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020 and 2023
Date of travel : August 10, 2023
Ticket: 6079316194880
A dream of flight …