Why Etihad is charging $32K for its super luxury First Class

by Jodi Squire on July 31, 2025

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Etihad's extravagant The Residence suite has been causing a buzz among travellers for some months - and not just because of its enormous price tag which can cost £21,000 for a one-way ticket, for two people. But now guests keen to sample the airline's other luxurious first class experience at a much cheaper price can book a ticket for the new First Apartments which have just been unveiled on the A380 aircraft. Forget tiny capsule seating, passengers can enjoy the privacy of their own section complete with bed, vanity mirror and sofa for as little as £2,500 a ticket, one way. Scroll down for video <img src="" alt="Thankfully there is another (cheaper) way of experiencing First Class on board in the form of the airline's First Apartments" class="blkBorder img-share" /> Thankfully there is another (cheaper) way of experiencing First Class on board in the form of the airline's First Apartments <img src="" alt="The private living spaces includes a Poltrona Frau leather ottoman, which can be used for entertaining, or converted into an 81-inch lay-flat bed" class="blkBorder img-share" /> The private living spaces includes a Poltrona Frau leather ottoman, which can be used for entertaining, or converted into an 81-inch lay-flat bed <img src="" alt="And forget tiny capsule beds, guests get their own sections, which can be shut and enjoyed with complete privacy" class="blkBorder img-share" /> And forget tiny capsule beds, guests get their own sections, which can be shut and enjoyed with complete privacy The <a href="https://www.nuwireinvestor.com/?s=private%20living">private living</a> spaces includes a Poltrona Frau leather ottoman, which can be used for entertaining, or converted into an 81-inch lay-flat bed. Guests travelling in families or with friends can opt for adjoining capsules, with a handy divider that can be opened or closed for privacy during the flight. RELATED ARTICLES

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Instead of screens on the back of seats, there are 24-inch flat screen televisions on the partition walls and guests can also entertain in a lobby-style lounge area. The lounge is shared between First and Business Class and is outfitted with leather couches and a stand-up bar for socialising. <img src="" alt="Of course pampering and relaxing are a focus of the First Apartment suites, and a lit-vanity section helps guests to arrive feeling fresh" class="blkBorder img-share" /> Of course pampering and relaxing are a focus of the First Apartment suites, and a lit-vanity section helps guests to arrive feeling fresh <img src="" alt="Forget preconceptions about cramped plane loos, the first class bathroom provides hot water showers for around five minutes and is stocked with products to give the feel of being in a spa" class="blkBorder img-share" /> Forget preconceptions about cramped plane loos, the first class bathroom provides hot water showers for around five minutes and is stocked with products to give the feel of being in a spa <img src="" alt="Fancy a tipple? Guests can also entertain in the lobby lounge available to enjoy an after-meal drink " class="blkBorder img-share" /> Fancy a tipple?

Guests can also entertain in the lobby lounge available to enjoy an after-meal drink <img src="" alt=" The area is shared between First and Business Class and is outfitted with leather couches and a stand-up bar for socialising" class="blkBorder img-share" /> The area is shared between First and Business Class and is outfitted with leather couches and a stand-up bar for socialising more videos

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Of course pampering and relaxing are a focus of the First Apartment suites, and a lit-vanity section helps guests to arrive at their destination looking and feeling fresh. Forget preconceptions about cramped plane bathrooms, the first class bathroom provides hot water showers for around five minutes and is stocked with products to give the feel of being in a spa. <img src="" alt="Etihad opened a new First and Business Class Lounge at JFK International Airport in early December" class="blkBorder img-share" /> <img src="" alt="The area provides a glamorous start to an Etihad journey" class="blkBorder img-share" /> Etihad opened a new First and Business Class Lounge at JFK International Airport to Abu Dhabi (pictured) in early December <img src="" alt="Relax in style: The waiting area includes luxurious restrooms with showers, prayer rooms, a library and luggage storage" class="blkBorder img-share" /> Relax in style: The waiting area includes luxurious restrooms with showers, prayer rooms, a library and luggage storage A total of nine lucky passengers can experience the First Apartments on Etihad's new fleet of A380 double-decker planes which have been referred to as 'superjumbo' aircrafts. And flying in style doesn't end with the aircraft. Etihad opened a new First and Business Class Lounge at JFK International Airport in early December which includes luxurious restrooms with showers, prayer rooms, a library and luggage storage. EVEN MORE EXCLUSIVE: WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE TO STAY IN THE ETIHAD RESIDENCE SUITE <img src="" alt="Brian Kelly was served by a Savoy-trained butler, who made sure his journey was as comfortable as possible" class="blkBorder img-share" /> Brian Kelly was served by a Savoy-trained butler, who made sure his journey was as comfortable as possible A savvy traveller who used his credit card to buy a ticket for the world's most luxurious aeroplane suite has revealed what it's really like to fly in the 'penthouse in the sky' - and he's taken viewers along for the ride. Calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Brian Kelly, also known as The Points Guy, was treated to perks that passengers in economy could only dream of, including a Savoy-trained butler, a bedroom with a double bed, and a shower, when he flew in Etihad's Residence suite. It's a private space that very few travellers will ever set foot in thanks to its staggering cost - Brian, 32, from New York, spent £21,000 on a one-way ticket and racked up nearly 100,000 credit card rewards points. The top deck suite on Etihad's Airbus A380 aircraft boasts three private rooms - a living room, bathroom and bedroom - and the jetsetter wasted no time in making the most of his $32,000 (£21,206) ticket on his New York to Abu Dhabi flight. <img src="" alt="Etihad's The Residence comprises a living room, separate double bedroom and en-suite shower for the ultimate luxury travel experience" class="blkBorder img-share" /> Etihad's The Residence comprises a living room, separate double bedroom and en-suite shower for the ultimate luxury travel experience <img src="" alt="The Residence boasts a double bedroom and an en-suite shower room (although showers can be used only once during each flight)" class="blkBorder img-share" /> The Residence boasts a double bedroom and an en-suite shower room (although showers can be used only once during each flight) One of the most important parts of many passenger's flight is the meal, and Kelly said the Residence's offerings did not disappoint. Instead of bland plane meals, his Italian chef Enrico prepared a Thanksgiving feast, including stuffing, turkey, mashed sweet potato and pumpkin pie (a request only a guest of the Residence could ask for). His dedicated butler, Eren, catered to Kelly's every whim, including providing him with his favourite bottle of vodka. Kelly said to MailOnline Travel: 'A half dozen or so Etihad employees met me at the front door of JFK and I was never without a few aides all the way through my arrival in Abu Dhabi. 'Everyone was exceptionally friendly, from the lounge attendants at JFK to my fantastic butler Eren. So, the service was definitely the highlight for me.' <img src="" alt="The living room boasts a Poltrona Frau leather sofa with a retractable ottoman, two dining tables, mini-bar and 32-inch flat screen TV" class="blkBorder img-share" /> The living room boasts a Poltrona Frau leather sofa with a retractable ottoman, two dining tables, mini-bar and 32-inch flat screen TV <img src="" alt="Guests in The Residence are treated to expensive Champagne, meals prepared by a chef and limo transfers to and from the airport" class="blkBorder img-share" /> Guests in The Residence are treated to expensive Champagne, meals prepared by a chef and limo transfers to and <a href="https://jetblacktransportation.com/c/faq/q-how-can-i-access-the-uber-black-car-list-in-boston/feed/">JetBlack</a>; from the airport Measuring 125 square feet in total the two-person suite also includes a bathroom with an on board shower so guests can arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed - which puts the cramped tiny toilets on most carriers to shame. Kelly decided he had no choice but to try the handy facilities - twice - although he said that usually the luxury is only something you can do once and after booking in with the flight attendants. Relaxing took place in the living room, a suitably glamorous area with gold cushions strewn over a leather-clad sofa. And instead of trying to watch a movie on a tiny screen on the back of a plane seat, the sumptuous lounge area comes complete with a giant 32in flatscreen TV. Wifi was provided for free in the apartment with Kelly describing its strength as 'usable'. 'Would I use it to do a full day's worth of work?

Probably not. It helped that Etihad provides free wifi vouchers to Residence guests — my butler Eren even entered the code into my phone so I didn't have to do it myself,' he said. Offering the traveller with the chance for some shuteye is the suite's double bedroom which is decorated with delicate fabrics and furnished with a natural fibre mattress, Egyptian cotton sheets and a choice of pillows. And with each hour of the 12.5-hour flight working out as costing approximately $2,500 (£1,656) - Kelly commented it was the most expensive nap he has had to date.

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