More Luxurious and Exclusive than First Class? Etihad Launches The Residence

Etihad Airways is to launch what will be the world’s first private multi-room cabin on a commercial passenger aircraft.

The Residence, as the Abu Dhabi-based airline is calling it, will feature a living room, double bedroom, separate ensuite shower room, and a Butler.

Measuring 125 square feet in total area, The Residence will be located on the forward upper deck of the airline’s new fleet of Airbus A380s and will be available for single or double occupancy.

“The Residence will set Etihad Airways apart from the rest of the industry and allow us to provide the complete range of world-class products and services to cater for the individual tastes of every VIP traveller,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer. “This is the culmination of five years of intensive effort and research into how Etihad Airways can provide an unparalleled VIP experience. Without doubt, we are ushering in a new era of luxury travel in commercial aviation.”

Passengers in The Residence will have a dedicated Butler on call throughout the flight, offering the type of discrete personal service and attention to detail found in the world’s most exclusive hotels.

These hospitality professionals have been selected by Etihad Airways and are undergoing specialist training at the Savoy Butler Academy in London, part of the world-famous Savoy Hotel.

The Butler’s role is multi-faceted including that of a Concierge and Maitre d’hotel. Their uniform has been designed by Rome-based fashion designer, Ettore Bilotta.

A dedicated VIP Concierge team will work to ensure all aspects of the experience, including booking luxury limousine transfers, check-in, and custom menu planning, are handled with the utmost discretion.

The living room in The Residence is furnished with a two-seat reclining sofa upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather, dual marquetry dining tables and a chilled mini-bar.

A touchscreen control unit operates the retractable ottoman, the ambient and mood lighting, window shading, adjusts seat position and firmness, and activates the in-seat massage functions.

A door and passageway separate the living room from the master bedroom and the ensuite shower room. The bedroom features a Poltrona Frau upholstered 82-inch long double bed with custom-made mattress, bedside unit, wardrobe, and under-bed stowage for hand luggage.

The living room features a large 32 inch LCD TV, whilst the bedroom boasts its own 27 inch LCD TV. The communications suite features broadband with internet mobile and data capability, Live TV, HDMI, AC outlet and USB ports.

The Residence is fully Wi-Fi enabled and equipped with the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, controlled by video touch screen and handset.

Certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for dual occupancy, The Residence has been built by B/E Aerospace in the United Kingdom in close partnership with the Etihad Design Consortium (EDC) and Poltrona Frau.