One of the three big Middle Eastern airlines, Etihad Airways or Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has returned its Airbus A380s and The Residence since last year. Offering unique experiences in the air, The Residence is considered the elite of first-class cabins. While currently only available on two routes, it is undoubtedly an experience.
Simple Flying notes a few must-knows of Etihad’s The Residence offering. There is nothing like Etihad’s Residence, a private three-space suite that signifies excellence in luxury. When booking Etihad Residence, passengers get 125 square feet of space all to themselves.
The space, the product, and the comfort can only be compared to what is available in private aviation. The space includes a living room space featuring a comfortable seat, a bedroom space with a double bed, and a private bathroom with a shower. While Etihad’s contender, Emirates, is known for its showers onboard its A380 aircraft, those are shared among 14 first class passengers.
But when you’re in the Residence with Etihad, you get the bathroom all to yourself. The airline will roll out these new products progressively by February end. Etihad provides Residence customers with unprecedented service.
The airline pays close attention to enhancing customer experience. Passengers receive room service equivalent to or better than top-brand hotels, and a dedicated crew ensures their comfort. According to , “Let our crew prepare your private bedroom for a full turn down experience and make sure you have everything you need for a good night's sleep, including a double bed, plush luxury bedding and designer loungewear.
When you wake, you’ll be well rested for the day - or night - ahead.” This will be Etihad Airways' fifth active Airbus A380 once the double-decker returns from heavy maintenance. The airline currently offers The Residence service onboard its A380 aircraft on select routes, including between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and London Heathrow (LHR) and AUH and New York (JFK).
In April, the airline announced its plans to bring back the A380 Residence service to Paris (CDG) from November 1. According to , "The introduction of the A380 on the Abu Dhabi – Paris route enriches both leisure and corporate travel. It underscores Etihad's commitment to facilitating business connections and travel to Abu Dhabi and beyond.
Our state-of-the-art cabins and bespoke amenities ensure that business travellers can work, relax, and arrive refreshed.” The airline will operate the A380s on four services across 3 destinations in its network. In the pre-pandemic era, the airline offered The Residence as a separate product from the first class, typically priced at approximately $25,000 one-way.
At the time, there was no way to upgrade to The Residence as it was the most exclusive product for paying passengers. states that since Etihad has brought back its A380s in 2023, it has taken a different approach to offering The Residence. It can now be reserved as an upgrade option for select first class passengers.
Moreover, it is not directly bookable as a separate offering. The airline has also relaxed the prices a bit more than before. The airline has ten of the type and four are active.
Etihad’s hard product remains the same as before, with an onboard private suite, including a lounge and a bathroom. The soft product has slightly changed, with private butler service no longer provided and the extensive selection of menus shrunk. Nonetheless, it is an outstanding experience that customers certainly devour.
According to Etihad, “Features like The Lobby lounge and Business Studios create an ideal environment for productivity and comfort. By enhancing the travel experience with greater connectivity and luxury, we make business trips more accessible and enjoyable, connecting travelers to Abu Dhabi’s dynamic economy and rich cultural landscape with the premium service Etihad is known for." Today was the first time in several years Etihad deployed the type to JFK.
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