Etihad revolutionizes First Class with the First Class Apartment. Much more than a seat, this is a product everyone has been talking about since its release. Join me to sample the “Reimagined” First Class offering of Etihad onboard their A380 between London and Abu Dhabi.
See Sam’s video of his experience on-board
17 January 2015 EY012 London to Abu Dhabi
The departure time is 9:15am so I started the day early by taking the courtesy limo transfer from Renaissance London Heathrow hotel to Terminal 4 at 6:30am. Check in was a breeze and fast track security check was available to all premium class passengers. I proceed straight to Etihad’s Premium Lounge near Gate 10.
The lounge is consistent with other Etihad own premium lounge. But it is not as good as Emirates and Qatar Airways lounge in terms of food offering. The free spa offering at the Six Senses Spa hwoever is very welcomed.
Welcome Onboard
At 8:30 boarding was called. I was among the first to board the upper deck of the A380. A Flight Attendant (FA) took me to my seat, 4A, and it is just WOW from there!
The space was enormous and it has a unique layout in every apartment! Once on board we received a welcome drink and hot towel, welcome letter from the cabin manager and Arabic date. Arabic coffee was also available pre take off.
Within each apartment is a stocked mini fridge, dressing mirror and the password to access the on board Wi-Fi for free.
Cabin Tour
We departed on time out of Rwy27L of Heathrow. A drink and snack was offered immediately after takeoff but I grabbed my camera ready to explore more of the cabin.
Etihad’s A380 has 4 class configuration, Residence (A class above First Class), Apartments (First Class), Business Studio (Business Class) and Economy class. Seating capacity R2 F9 C70 Y415 = total 496 passengers. Today we have 8/9 guests in First Class but the Residence is unoccupied.
Some of the First Class Apartments are rearward facing, these are window apartment 3A, 3K, aisle apartment 1H, 5C, 5H. You can see a seat map of Etihad’s A380 here.
Onboard Fine Dining
The on board chef, Chef Thomas, came around to take the food orders. Guests can dine at anytime and order anything they want during the flight. It is also not necessary to have course by course meals.
I took a more traditional way of dining by having a 5 course meal an hour after takeoff. The set up was excellent, like a fine restaurant.
Firstly an Amuse Bouche: Shrimp with Japanese seaweed followed by the first course of Mozzarella with tomato, (this is still a weak point on the menu, hopefully the locally UAE Farmed Caviar will be introduced soon). Second course was cream of pea soup and for the main a rib eye steak cooked medium. Dessert consisted of a trio of desserts including bread and butter pudding, caramel cream and a chocolate brownie with Ice cream.
E-BOX entertainment
Etihad’s A380 features the latest version of E-box entertainment which is much more powerful, richer in content and easy to use. It has same drop down app like a Samsung phone. I didn’t watch a movie but played around the many different in-flight map modes.
Bed Turn down
After a large meal, of course it is nap time. Cabin crew offer a turn down service.
Arrival
I slept soundly for two and half hours and when I woke up, we’ve just started descend into Abu Dhabi.
I have my afternoon tea and cake before landing in my private cabin.
With a smooth touch down on Rwy31R, the Etihad A380 arrived home once again and my first experience with the First Class Apartment came to a sweet end. Unlike anything I have done in the past, this one raised the bar by far and I was very impressed with Etihad’s new aspired in-flight service and offering and of course new aircraft. They have came a very long way since I started flying with them and living in Abu Dhabi.
Want more?
A Complete Etihad Photo Report can be enjoyed here.
