For the next portion of myIceland to The Residence via Cambodia trip, it was time for what was perhaps the most anticipated flight of the journey, as I was flying Etihad’s A380 The Residence from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Paris (CDG).
Continue reading: Review: Etihad The Residence Lounge & Ground Service Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Do you know if you can bring a first class passenger with you if you are traveling in the residence to join you in the lounge?
Are you sure the pictures you posted herein of, at the very least, the champagne and white wine menus are the ones from the lounge? The champagne/ white wine one you posted matches what you posted from the Phonm Penh-AUH flight and does not include / mention the champagne you say you were served in the lounge. Please confirm.
Just to nitpick about a selection I will never be offered...
The tequila choices are pretty middling (around $50/bottle) for this high class experience. Three of the Scotches are over $100/bottle which is more appropriate.
Etihad has almost complete overlap of wines in the First Lounge and First cabin onboard. I quiet like that.
The champagne for the residence lounge was probably „off-menu“.
Last year I was there as an F pax, and asked for a Macallan Enigma, as it was availible previously in the lounge - and they made it magically appear…
Ben - my husband and I were on our way to safari in Kenya last week when we got stuck in Abu Dhabi when the air space shut down. We spent four days trying desperately to get to Nairobi but nothing worked. We finally got word that Etihad was flying a repatriation flight to Toronto Thursday morning. Since most seats were saved for others they had just a few options for purchase. Given the trauma we had been through with many failed attempts to salvage our vacation plus having missiles blown out of the sky above us, we decided to purchase The Residence for our journey home. We had always dreamt of doing something so decadent but as we always book our Etihad flights with AA it was never an option. We also assumed we’d never pay as much as they wanted for such a ticket but our desperation to get home changed that. That, and the fact they want half the price of the Residence for a full-fare coach ticket. It was our best flight ever - for many reasons! Keep up the great work. We’ve been following your blog for over twelve years.
Wow, that's a wild ride. I've been curious how stranded travelers managed. Glad you made it home safely (and made the most of it in the Residence!) Next time, maybe avoid ME and try the nonstop JFK-NBO on Kenya Airways. Hope your insurance will assist with recovery.
WOW ! I will never be able to do this. I have had some uber-luxe experiences in my life but this is just beautiful. The care and the perfect timing. Just beautiful.
So glad that you enjoyed.
I am scheduled to fly The Residence in September from Abu Dhabi to Singapore. Unfortunately, the connecting flight bringing me to Abu Dhabi from Frankfurt was recently changed by Etihad.
My original Etihad-operated flight from Frankfurt to Abu Dhabi was cancelled and replaced with a flight operated by Condor. Since then, I have been receiving contradictory information. Etihad insists that the booking remains in business class, while Condor indicates that the reservation is in economy class.
What makes this even more frustrating is that the entire itinerary—from Frankfurt to Singapore—is on a single booking. The outbound journey includes The Residence from Abu Dhabi to Singapore, and the return journey is booked in first class. The segments from and to Frankfurt have been in business. Given the premium nature of this itinerary, I expected a much higher level of coordination and customer support.
Unfortunately, despite contacting several Etihad agents, no one has been able to resolve the issue or provide clear confirmation of the correct cabin for the Frankfurt–Abu Dhabi segment. The lack of clarity and assistance is extremely disappointing.
So far, my “The Residence” experience has been a real disgrace.
Yeah sorry about that. I saw your comment after I posted mine. But hey, great minds think alike! 🙂
Nice review. The experience for regular long haul first class passengers was a lot more underwhelming for my wife and I. The first class lounge genpop showers were okay (although roasting hot) but didn't jump out at you. I was surprised that the first class lounge didn't offer any nap rooms as my wife and I were exhausted. The business class ones were all taken. Food was fine. The lounge was pretty much deserted. A kind soul offered my wife a blanket so she could try to nap on the seats more comfortably.
The beer line up is like what you'd find in a Wetherspoons and even the port, at 20 years, isn't what I'd consider appropriate for that level. I don't know anything about wines, so wonder how many of them are middling. Guess you either have to research carefully or so rich you're beyond caring what anything actually costs and are back at being satisfied with a Heineken.
The couch looks tired and cheap especially for a first class lounge. The block behind the toilet looks cheap as well.
Similar wine list to the first class on the A380. Champagne is fairly good but I wish they'd invest more in their wine collection like Emirates.
The service flow sounds amazing! However the residence lounge room leaves a lot to be desired (at least from what the photos show). To me it looks sloppily designed and not like a place I would relax at (having a private bathroom is quite nice though!).
What no lunch menu?!?! We insist you go back and do this flight all over again!!! (when it is all clear)
On the beverage side of things, of all the beers you could choose from and serve, they went with Sol from Mexico! That's one of the cheapest and lower end beers quality wise. They could have done much better.