Etihad Residence Butler Details Revealed

I NEED one of these at home!

Ah so this is what they mean by Savoy-trained butlers. Without that explanation I also thought they were actually from Savoy and then hired by Etihad. Well it can be a hit or miss. The in-flight F&B Manager we had on an Abu Dhabi to Dublin flight was really good - both service and safety-wise. He was with the Jumeirah group before and then moved to Etihad as he says the flying benefits are hard to resist. So at least I know those positions, normal cabin-crew cannot be just 'promoted' to.

Are you booked in the First Suite Saver at least?

"The butlers will simply be inflight chefs or onboard food and beverage managers"

Maybe, but

"valet skills, and managing travel arrangements"

What would that entail?

At these prices, let's hope there is segregated catering for the Residence so that they don't run out of food!

Now your private butler will tell you there isn't anymore food!

I hardly think a weeks training at the savoy will bring them up to the level you get at the hotel. Quite disappointing. Hopefully they can pull it off.

@ HR -- I paid for a ticket in First Apartment.

A butler is something I never think I would miss, until tried one. After a few days thought how can I live without. Ah well, better go make my own blooming drink this evening. Must train wife better.

Has it been made clear how many people can share one of these residence suites? Seems like a bit much for only one person!

@ Rocky -- Yes, up to two people.

@ HR — I paid for a ticket in First Apartment.

@Lucky, can't wait to read that review:-)

@lucky What is first apartment? First suite?

There was a mockup of the Etihad A380 in LA a few weeks ago and the Savoy-trained butler who was showing the mockup Residence said he'll be working AUH-LHR starting December.
I guess Etihad already knows which inflight beverage managers will be getting the extra training skills for the A380!

I think this would be a hit-or-miss more than anything.

@ Jay -- "First Apartment" is the name for their first class product.

@wwk5d I spoke with one of the Residence butlers at the LAX Etihad Inaugural party (where they had displays too). He told me that he will arrange to pick you up from wherever to get to the airport and will essentially take care of everything. I suppose that is what valeting and travel arrangements means.

The butler (I forgot his name now) seemed really excited about the upcoming service and showed me through every aspect of the Residence. He even made sure to say that the shower doesn't have a time limit (Emirates!).

I have my doubts but, I guess we'll find out just how good the 3 week training course will be.

A two-week training course and a one-week apprenticeship don't seem like enough time to turn someone into a proper butler but we'll see what the results are going to be soon.

Did you ever check out the Delta Version of this? http://www.deltamuseum.org/docs/site/aircraft-pages/boeing_747_penthouse_brochure.pdf?sfvrsn=2