Etihad Airways offers its passengers one of the world’s most extravagant First Class cabins.
Founded in 2003, the Middle-Eastern airline has cemented its status as one of the best airlines in the world in an impressively short amount of time.
First Class passengers enjoy a complimentary chauffeur service, an onboard shower and spa, and one of the largest in-flight apartments available.
Daniel Gillaspia, a prolific travel-hacker from Texas, flew from Abu Dhabi to New York in one of Etihad’s famous First Class “Residences” – a 3-room private luxury cabin.
Thanks to meticulous planning and some serious credit card crunching, he managed to accumulate over 1 million air miles and pay just $52.80 for the $10,000 journey, and he explains how he did it on his blog, UponArriving.
Gillaspia provided us with photos of his experience in one of the best First Class cabins in the world.
With Etihad, the premium experience begins before you even arrive at the airport. With a complimentary chauffeur service which travels across the entire United Arab Emirates, you can arrive in style.
Upon arrival, First Class passengers have their own private entrance. From here, your bags are immediately taken from you and you're escorted to the First Class check-in desk.
The desks even have leather seats in front of them, just in case you need to sit down during the two-minute check-in process.
After checking in, passengers are shown to the Etihad lounge and spa.
In here, you're treated to complimentary haircuts, shaves, massages, and there's even a whiskey and cigar room.
Once you're ready to board, you're shown to your private suite by one of the flight attendants. Gillaspia writes on his blog: "I immediately noticed the ornate suite walls and lighting, along with the enchanting Etihad boarding music setting the mood just right."
The size of the apartment is quite simply staggering. It fits three windows and has a sofa, a 32-inch wall-mounted television, and a leather armchair which reclines into a lie-down bed.
The personalised letter welcoming you on board is a nice touch too.
There's more than enough room for one person. Every apartment comes with a wardrobe, drawer space, and storage specifically for your headphones.
And a dresser and vanity mirror help keep you looking fresh. You’ll find a razor, toothbrush and toothpaste, and lotions inside. A sleeping mask, slippers, and pajamas are also provided.
Of course, no first class cabin would be complete without its own minibar. A choice of soft drinks are available.
Naturally, passengers are also entitled to free champagne throughout the flight. The window blinds that you see in this picture are controlled through an electronic panel built into the suite.
When you're ready for dinner, one of the flight attendants will transform your apartment into a dining room.
But this isn't your average plane food. The meals are served on fine bone china with crystal glassware and take inspiration from the world's leading fine dining restaurants.
After dinner, you may want to freshen up. The onboard shower and spa is available to all First Class passengers. You get five minutes of running water and 30 minutes in total to get fresh.
Once you're ready for bed, the crew will transform your apartment into a bedroom, complete with a 6'10 lie-down bed. And the apartments are interconnecting, meaning those travelling as a pair can enjoy a double bed.
Of course, you'll be able to relax in the onboard lounge while your apartment bedroom is being prepared.
Having traveled the world, Gillaspia knows his airlines, but even he was blown away. He writes: "The Etihad first class Apartment is something completely different from anything else available right now."
"Every detail and component of the experience is well done standing alone, but when you combine the extraordinary service, the fine dining, the elegant lighting and decor, the features, and the spectacular uniqueness and comfort of the Apartment itself, something is achieved that can only be understood by experiencing it."
