When Etihad Airways launched its Airbus A380 with the now-famous First Apartment class, it didn’t just create another first-class product—it redefined the very idea of air travel luxury. Positioned as a category above traditional first class and below the ultra-exclusive The Residence, the Etihad First Apartment set new industry benchmarks. From the layout of the suite to the inflight shower and personalized butler service, this product was designed with royalty, celebrities, and discerning high-net-worth individuals in mind. But how does it actually compare when broken down factually?
This post offers an in-depth, fact-based look at Etihad’s First Apartment, relying on cabin specifications, real user experiences, official Etihad communications, and expert travel data—not marketing hype. Every detail covered here has been verified for accuracy to provide a clear, trustworthy understanding of what the Etihad First Apartment is truly like.
Whether you’re planning to redeem your Etihad Guest miles, looking to upgrade from Business, or just want to understand why this product costs upwards of $10,000 one-way, this blog will walk you through the unique experience. From suite dimensions to dining options, inflight entertainment, and service quality—we’ll explore everything that makes the Etihad First Apartment a standout in the aviation world.
The Etihad First Apartment isn’t merely a larger seat—it's a separate room in the sky. Each First Apartment suite aboard the Etihad A380 offers 39 square feet (3.6 square meters) of space, making it one of the largest first-class offerings in commercial aviation. To put this in perspective, Singapore Airlines’ first-class suite measures approximately 50 square feet, but Etihad’s layout focuses more on a separated seating and sleeping concept.
Seat Dimensions: The armchair-style seat is 30 inches wide and converts into a fully flat bed measuring 6’10”.
Separate Bed & Chair Layout: Unlike many other first-class products that convert the same seat into a bed, Etihad separates the seat and the sleeping area entirely.
Privacy Doors: Each suite includes floor-to-ceiling sliding doors for maximum privacy.
Vanity Unit: There is a personal vanity with a lit mirror and storage compartments—rarely seen even in the most luxurious cabins.
Storage: The suite includes a full-length wardrobe, drawers, and various compartments, eliminating the need to use overhead bins.
Etihad collaborated with Poltrona Frau, the same leather company used by Ferrari, to furnish the suite’s upholstery, reflecting a true commitment to premium materials. Mood lighting, adjustable seat positions, and electronic blinds add to the cabin’s luxury factor. The seat is electronically controlled via a touchscreen and has pre-set positions for dining, lounging, and sleeping.
From a structural point of view, Etihad's suite is arguably the closest thing to a hotel room in the sky before you enter The Residence category. This separation between seating and sleeping areas distinguishes it significantly from other global first-class products.
Etihad’s dining in First Apartment is marketed as a restaurant-style experience, and that claim holds up under scrutiny. Passengers can dine on demand, with no fixed meal times. The airline has a dedicated onboard chef for First Apartment passengers, and the menus rotate seasonally to include local and international dishes.
Onboard Chef: Trained in fine dining, not a typical flight attendant. The chef tailors meals to passenger preferences using available ingredients.
À La Carte Menu: Includes appetizers, mains, and desserts with choices like grilled beef tenderloin, saffron risotto, Arabic mezze, and caviar service.
“Chef’s Pantry” Option: Between meals, passengers can order light bites and snacks.
Beverage Selection: A wide variety of wines (including Grand Cru), champagnes (often Bollinger or Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle), fresh juices, mocktails, and specialty teas.
Etihad also takes dietary restrictions seriously. Kosher, Halal, Jain, and vegetarian meals are pre-bookable, and special requests are often honored with extra care in First Apartment. Meals are plated on bone china tableware by William Edwards, accompanied by cutlery from Studio William, and served with white linen and crystal glasses.
What makes the dining service stand out is the flexibility: the chef will often consult with you in person to offer custom off-menu options if available. This level of personalization makes the dining experience closer to a luxury hotel than a standard airline service.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Etihad First Apartment is the access to a dedicated shower room—a feature still rare in commercial aviation.
Shared Between First Class Guests: Each passenger can reserve a 5-minute shower session during the flight.
Water Limit: 5 minutes of running water, but multiple breaks in flow are allowed.
Heated Floors: Unique to Etihad's A380, the shower suite features a heated floor for comfort.
Spa Products: Etihad provides Aqua di Parma toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion.
There are two lavatories dedicated solely to First Apartment passengers. The one with the shower includes a dressing area, changing bench, and luxury mirror lighting. Towels are full-size and plush, and the room is attended to regularly throughout the flight by dedicated staff.
Booking the shower is managed by the cabin crew. Prime times (such as 90 minutes before landing) are typically claimed early, so it’s advisable to make a reservation soon after boarding.
While Emirates was the pioneer in inflight showers, Etihad refined the experience by focusing on ambiance and comfort. The shower suite on the A380 is larger than its Emirates counterpart and feels more like a spa cabin with its wooden flooring and gentle lighting.
This feature alone significantly elevates the First Apartment from other first-class offerings, creating a unique “hotel-in-the-sky” feeling.
Entertainment in the Etihad First Apartment is designed to immerse passengers in a cinematic experience. Each suite includes an 24-inch HD TV that swivels to face the bed or seat, depending on your position.
Touchscreen Remote: Control your entertainment, lighting, and seat position using an integrated remote.
Live TV & Box Sets: Multiple live TV channels, including sports and news, along with Hollywood, Bollywood, Arabic, and European film libraries.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: Provided by Etihad and known for superior sound clarity.
Wi-Fi Plans: Paid Wi-Fi is available, with speeds sufficient for messaging and basic browsing. Streaming is not recommended.
In-Seat Power & USB Ports: Available for all devices, including laptops and phones.
Second Screen Experience: Allows you to use your phone or tablet as a second screen for browsing or checking the flight path.
What makes the entertainment experience in First Apartment unique is the sheer control the passenger has over their comfort. The screen can be turned or tilted to be viewed while lying flat in bed—something not all competitors offer. Content is updated monthly and includes multilingual subtitles.
The integration of comfort controls into the IFE system is seamless. Lighting, window shades, temperature settings, and seat configurations are all accessible through the touchscreen. This avoids the clutter of multiple remotes or buttons.
Although Wi-Fi remains a minor drawback due to cost and limited speed, Etihad has consistently improved its onboard connectivity over the years, with newer A380s featuring updated routers and antennas.
Etihad has built a reputation around hospitality inspired by Emirati heritage, and that is most evident in the First Apartment. The cabin crew are handpicked, multilingual, and trained through Etihad’s dedicated hospitality academy, which partners with luxury hotel brands.
Dedicated Butler: Although technically only available in The Residence, First Apartment guests often receive highly personalized attention, with a designated crew member throughout the flight.
Turndown Service: The crew prepares your bed with linens, a duvet, and pillows while you enjoy a drink or meal.
Welcome Amenities: Includes a welcome note, hot towel, choice of Arabic coffee, dates, or champagne.
Pajamas and Amenity Kit: Luxury loungewear by Christian Lacroix and an amenity kit stocked with Aqua di Parma products.
The level of training is evident in the proactive nature of service. Crew memorize passenger preferences when possible (e.g., coffee without sugar or wine with dinner) and frequently check in without being intrusive.
Feedback from verified flyers on platforms like FlyerTalk and TripAdvisor often highlights the warmth and professionalism of Etihad's service, with many noting that crew members take time to engage in casual conversation, recommend food pairings, and even share destination tips.
The soft product—service, amenities, and attention—makes the First Apartment feel bespoke rather than transactional. This blend of Arabian hospitality and Western efficiency gives Etihad a unique advantage over other luxury airlines.
So, is the Etihad First Apartment truly royal in the skies?
Yes—but with caveats.
If you're evaluating purely based on space, privacy, and design, the Etihad First Apartment remains one of the most impressive products in commercial aviation. The suite layout, inflight shower, and personal vanity set it apart even from rivals like Emirates First Class or Singapore Suites.
Where it shines:
Unmatched privacy with separate bed and seat
Elegant design with premium materials
Personalized service with real attention to detail
Inflight shower experience with spa-quality amenities
Where it lags slightly:
Wi-Fi speed still not up to par for streaming
Limited route availability (Etihad A380s are few in number)
Price can be steep without miles or points
From a factual standpoint, the product is luxurious but not ubiquitous. As of 2025, Etihad has slowly reintroduced the A380s on select routes (notably London and New York), so availability is limited. However, for those with Etihad Guest miles or those using American AAdvantage points, it can still be booked for reasonable redemption rates (e.g., 62,500 AAdvantage miles one-way from Abu Dhabi to London).
Ultimately, the Etihad First Apartment offers a real taste of royalty, blending the elegance of a hotel suite with the thrill of international travel—something very few products in the sky manage to accomplish with such finesse.
Lina Zhou is a globe-trotting travel writer from Chengdu, China. With a passion for hidden gems and cross-cultural experiences, she shares practical tips, visa guidance, and immersive stories from every corner of the world. When not exploring, she’s sipping tea while planning her next adventure.
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