Review: Etihad A380 The Residence (Abu Dhabi to London flight)

The Luxury Travel Expert

April 24

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Today: Review - Etihad A380 The Residence (Abu Dhabi to London flight)

I recently flew in The Residence onboard an Etihad Airways Airbus A380 from Abu Dhabi to London. The Residence is a step beyond First Class and the only three-room suite on a passenger aircraft, featuring a private bedroom, ensuite bathroom (with shower), and a living room. The uber-luxurious space is located on the A380's upper deck and can accommodate a maximum of two passengers a living room. The Residence is exclusively available on Etihad Airways' A380 aircraft on routes between Abu Dhabi, London and New York.

The Residence was first introduced by Etihad in 2014, with one-way tickets between London and Abu Dhabi starting at $20,000 USD. Besides a flight in the world's most exclusive cabin, passengers of The Residence also enjoyed amenities like private butler service, customized menus by onboard chefs, and access to exclusive airport lounges. While The Residence generated an enormous amount of global publicity for Etihad, the three-room suite was way above the budget of the traveling public, so it was empty more often than not (contrary to Etihad's First Class suites, which sold very well).

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, Etihad stored its A380 aircraft and the future of The Residence seemed uncertain. However, with the resurgent travel demand, Etihad brought back a small number of its A380 aircraft in 2023, The Residence along with them. The spectacular hard product of The Residence remains intact, but nowadays, the three-room suite is sold as an upgrade to First Class passengers (either to be paid by miles or cash). Etihad has also eliminated the butler service and customized menus, and the amenities and culinary offering are now the same as in First Class.

Have you ever flown in The Residence by Etihad? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

I've made a video of my flight experience onboard The Residence, which you watch here: