Etihad Airways’ First Class Suites Take Luxury to New Heights

Gone are the days of flying between a snoring stranger and an armrest-hogging relative as a toddler kicks the back of your too-tiny seat. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, plans to make flying an indulgent experience with its groundbreaking Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger jets. While we dream about the day we can actually afford tickets, here’s a look at what these jets have to offer.

If you’ve got about $20,000 lying around somewhere, The Residence in the A380 jet will give you MAJOR travel bragging rights. It features three rooms (a living room, double bedroom, and bathroom), a chef-prepared gourmet menu, and a personal butler. If we ever win the lottery, expect us to move in and never leave.
Meanwhile, the nine First Apartments on the A380 feature amenities (think a private chef, 24-inch flat screen TV, and ottoman) formerly unheard of on passenger jets. And if you drink too much of the fine wine, skip the lines at the terrifying airplane toilets for a private bathroom that just happens to have a shower. That’s right: a shower. Passengers on the B787 will find similar offerings on board one of the First Suites.
On the A380 and B787, Business Class is anything but business as usual. Business Studios feature convertible beds, touch-screen TVs, and in-seat massages. Economy seats will get you an ergonomic headrest and a touch screen, so even if you’re flying on a budget, you’ll still feel like a star.
The first A380 jet is slated to debut in December. The jets will reportedly be flown from Adu Dhabi to Sydney and Melbourne. If you have any connections with dignitaries or royalty, now’s the time to use them.

Photos: Etihad Airways