ETIHAD – business class sale update and A380 with First Apartments returns to sky from Heathrow

Etihad A380 with First Apartments and The Residence returns to Heathrow

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today celebrated the return to service of its Airbus A380 on a special inaugural commercial flight from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow. This is the first of Etihad’s four Airbus A380s to return to the sky. 

Etihad’s A380 aircraft will operate on the Abu Dhabi – London route on flights EY11 and EY12 from 25 July and on EY19 and EY20 from 1 August. 

Sale fare update

Etihad’s A380 service is available to book now on etihad.com   Business fares from London Heathrow-Abu Dhabi are available from £2,434 return in the sale including taxes. There is a sale on until 31 July with some decent fares such as:

• Bangkok £2029
• Mumbai £1989
• Kuala Lumpur £2199
• Manila £2179

You can find the sale page here. 

Flying the A380

I have flown on Etihad’s A380 in both business class and the First Apartment. Business class features the Business Studio seat on the upper deck, which is very comfortable in a 1-2-1 configuration. The First Apartment is one of the most spacious first class suites in the sky with a separate bed and seat and can only be found on the A380. 

You can read my reviews here:

• Etihad First Apartment
• Etihad A380 Business class

 There is also the Lobby lounge which you can enjoy in business class. 

 Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, says: “We’re excited to once again welcome guests onboard Etihad’s A380s and step into a truly remarkable experience. Whether our guests are choosing to fly in Economy, Business, First or our three-room suite in the sky The Residence, this aircraft provides an elevated flying experience which we take extreme pride in.  

“The aircraft adds much needed capacity connecting Abu Dhabi with London Heathrow and allows us to build our network and increase frequencies across the network. With a surge in demand for travel over the summer, the return of our much-loved A380 comes at the perfect time.” 

The Residence 

The Residence has to be the ultimate flying experience even when compared to a private jet. It features the world’s only three-room suite in the sky and is available to book for up to two guests. The Residence features a private living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom where guests can refresh in a shower at 40,000ft. Having seen a replica of the suite at ITB Berlin, I can say it was truly impressive and completely private. 

The guests’ choice of meals will be prepared from an à la carte menu which will be served on designer tableware in the private living room, or they could choose to wake up with breakfast in bed. Options include luxuries such as champagne and caviar and The Residence Signature High Tea. 

The Residence can now be booked on etihad.com, by selecting a First class ticket and then choosing to upgrade to The Residence, from 2,500 USD per person, one way. You can also use miles to redeem for the Residence.