Fluffy bathrobes—and gourmet meals. (Etihad)
Posted on 10/02/2014 11:30:23 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, already has among the most lavish first-class cabins in the business, and it’s about to step up its game another notch. The airline will soon take delivery of ten double-decker Airbus A380s with a new twist: in addition to the usual luxurious first class service, passengers will be able to book “The Residence,” an immaculately outfitted three-room suite, featuring a chilled minibar stocked with fine wines, a dedicated bathroom with a shower—and best of all, trained butlers serving chef-cooked gourmet meals. It’s the kind of luxury one would expect only on a large private jet. The cost: a reported $20,000, one-way, between Abu Dhabi and London.
The first A380 was delivered on Thursday. The first routes to be served, according to Etihad, are from Abu Dhabi to London, and then Sydney.
You might not think so based on Etihad’s announcement, but first-class service is actually declining across the industry, while business and economy (and recently, premium economy) passenger numbers are rising. One reason is that the recession hit the pocketbooks and profit margins of companies that used to be willing to spring for first class, but another reason is that business class has become much nicer as airlines have introduced lie-flat beds, better food and more amenities.
Read more: http://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/etihad-airlines-luxury-suite-sky-180952861/#ixzz3F0uqUhUA
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Fluffy bathrobes—and gourmet meals. (Etihad)
Do they take personal checks?
for 20000, the stuff in the minibar better be free
Last year I traveled through Heathrow Airport. Etihad had the hottest stews.
Call me when they fly to Tel Aviv.
Could I just get a room with hot tub? And personal attendant? And beer tap.
We’re about to fly Cathay to and from Asia, upgraded to a spacier seat. I couldn’t imagine how rested I would feel .. And lighter in the bank account. WAY lighter.
For vacation travel, time just wouldn't seem to be that crucial.
One would think most business travelers book flights so they arrive at the destination, check-in at hotel, shower, and then meet with clients.
Back in the 80s I flew the old 747 TWA from NYC to Rome every month. First class meant something then.
Pork chops, please.
http://internationalflyguy.com/2014/05/01/35-sexy-flight-attendant-selfies-from-around-the-globe/
#11 is Etihad,, nyyaaah , #2 and #27 get my votes.
I did a trip, Saint Louis to London, in First Class. Still good.
I rode PanAm 747s all over for a few years, always made me feel at home, squeezed in to business and first class occasionally when I could wangle it. Same for old Eastern domestically.
Do I miss flying, No. I miss sitting in places I never thought I might see. I’m running out of continents.. But I doubt wifey would care for Antarctica.. She hates cold.
Sort of funny yet sad that one has to fly Muzzie owning airlines, Eithad and Emirates, to experience super hot stews reminiscent of the glory days of Pan Am, etc., including nice classy sexy uniforms.
For 20 grand, that chick better be part of the entertainment package.
My flying these days is between Medellin and Miami....hate Maimi.
Great place to sail in and out of, never spent any time there other that in and out. How is Shanghai? We may get screwed on a two day stop in HK , last trip it was Greece and Italy rioting, we’ve been to Cartagena a couple times.
How’s the 777 for a ride? That’s all we ride this trip.
No sweat, just wait ‘til 2018 when all the ice on the planet melts - your wife will WANT to visit Antarctica...
I could be wrong about the date...
Great! We can go plant a few Palm trees.. And mine for jewels and gold. I hear once upon a time it used to be really hot there.
Don’t even think about Antarctica. There are record levels of ice out there because of the global warming. Also, because of climate change, it is colder than it has been in three decades because of carbon emissions, because of the dying penguins. Because the Polar bears are eating the penguins. Because they are warming, hence the cold.
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