The Three Requests I’m Making For My Flight In The Etihad Residence

By: Ben Schlappig

Updated: December 13, 2021
Published: May 2, 2017

96 comments

My flight from Abu Dhabi to Sydney in the Etihad Residence is coming up fairly soon, and I’m stoked.

Etihad-A380-First-Class-24
The Etihad A380 Residence

One of the cool things about flying in Etihad’s Residence is that you can make special requests. After all, it’s supposedly the most luxurious product in commercial aviation, given that you have a private three room suite with butler service. I asked you guys for ideas about what I should request, and some of your answers made me laugh out loud (i.e., a copy of Delta’s quarterly financials, signed by Etihad’s CEO).

I wrote a follow-up post with some of the funniest things you guys recommended. On one hand I thought it could have been hilarious to request a bunch of things, though ultimately I’ve decided against that. Why? Because I’m making special requests in order to see how well they execute them, and that can easily be determined with just a few things. Otherwise I’d like the experience to be as close to normal as possible (and that really wouldn’t be the case if I get Hello Kitty bedding, and the walls are littered with Shawn Mendes posters).

With that in mind, I’ve decided to make three requests. I plan on submitting these tomorrow, so that they still have time to make them happen. But before I make these requests, I want to run them by you guys, just to see if anyone has any improvements on them.

I figured I’d make my first request having some sort of lobster dish. I’ll leave it completely open-ended. I shared the details of the menu for my flight a couple of days ago, and it looked remarkably similar to first class, so this is one way to try and differentiate it a bit. This is something that shouldn’t be too tough to execute, and at the same time gives them room to be creative. It’s also easier than my backup dining request, which would be a hibachi style dining experience. 😉

Singapore-Airlines-Lobster-Thermidor-1
Singapore Airlines does a good lobster thermidor

For the second request I’m thinking of asking for a specific champagne. Etihad had said that there may be charges for some requests, so I’m curious to see where they draw the line. Is a bottle of Krug or Dom Perignon 2006 a reasonable request to make, given that other airlines serve that in first class? Etihad seems to serve Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2004 in the Residence, so I’m actually sort of tempted not to order something different, since I’ve never had it before.

Singapore-First-Class-777 - 50
Singapore Airlines serves both Dom and Krug in first class

For the third request I was thinking of something simple but random, like a loofah for the shower. This is just to see if they execute it properly, really. Or maybe I should ask for a monogrammed bathrobe? 😉

Etihad-Shower
The Etihad A380 shower

As a bonus, some people had suggested possibly asking about doing the pre-flight walkaround with the first officer. Obviously this would be amazing, but I also don’t know if that’s pushing my luck.

So I’ll be submitting my requests tomorrow, and would love to hear what you guys think. The last round of suggestions were hilarious, but given the direction I’m taking here, what should I request? I’m definitely asking for lobster, but am flexible on the champagne and loofah idea. Is there some other cool food item or dessert or something that would be cool to request?

I appreciate how interactive you guys have been with this, as I’ve really been enjoying the process. Now I’ll just have to figure out how to make the flight itself as interactive as it has been up until now!

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Cody Shah New Member

May 7, 2017, 1:34 pm

Freaking PUSH YOUR LUCK... worst case you won't get it. But what if you get it? I don't see a downside

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Jen-Chou Guest

May 5, 2017, 11:11 am

Hello Kitty bedding plus Shawn Mendes poster, Mr. Schleppig you really have a very distinct tastes. Quite interesting, Sir!

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Tobias Mattsson Guest

May 3, 2017, 3:41 pm

Good evening Ben, So many advices and crazy but hilarious ideas. I agree with many followers. This is a unique opportunity to put Etihad for a serious test. You mentioned the bathrobe and it might push your luck... Worst case is that they say no to a few things but yes to others. This is not the time nor the option to minimize... Yes, they might have made some downgrades as one reader mentioned so... My suggestion is that you make it two lists, or perhaps options for five categories with two options that are similar to each other. The reason why..? Here is an example so sorry for the Off Topic. :) Green Day, (for the ones of you that does not know who they are, they're a famous American modern punk-rock band) has just like all bands a rider which is a list of what they demand in the dressing room. One of these things Green Day demand is a big bowl of M&M's that shall not be any brown ones in the bowl. The reason for this is not to be funny or a prick but to test the promoter and the staff how they work, run the show and the venue. If they lack of taking out the brown M&M's then probably much more serious things such as security might also fail. So... For your trip of a lifetime, make it 5 categories. If Etihad can arrange both in each category, JACKPOT! If they are available to arrange one... Great job Etihad. Well done! If they fail one or two categories... Then many other things inside the airline might have to be checked up... Here goes! A: FUN 1; The pre-flight check walk around around the aircraft on the tarmac with the Captain or First Officer. - Easy to arrange including one or two security if they are å bit hairy regarding safety at AUH. 2; Visit the cockpit during flight. - This one is more tricky depending on Who had and international safety and security for commercial flights, but who knows. B: DRINKS 1; Someone mentioned a special champagne so give Etihad two options, one that they might be able to get and one of the above mentioned that is tricky to get and unique. Many options to choose from above... Should it cost a fortune they will probably mention it before they serve and not send you the bill after the flight. 2; Here I would think hard of which unique cocktail that is tricky to create and that you like and/or would like to taste. A few above sounds tricky and really tasty. This would be a challenge for your butler and my guess is that he took his job just because it is a challenge and might think it would be fun for a change. C: FOOD 1: Seafood pre-main course! - As mentioned above... Choose your lobster (this is what you want to have so go for it) wisely and pick one from the finest areas that might be tricky to get. You already have some options. :) And with lobster there has to be caviar so ask for a tasting from the UAE/ME, Iran, Russia and last but not least, the famous Swedish Löjrom/whitefish roe. 2; Meat main course! a - Someone mentioned an exclusive dish from the UAE (can't find it now) that also shows that you want to try something from their own turf, lamb might be a nice part of this dish. Include the local tea and other things that has been up on the list. b - Or you can go with the Kobe beef from a local shop in Japan of your own pick, maybe from Osaka or somewhere, just to see if they can manage to get it. So here you have two options for #2. D: MEMORIABLA 1; The A380 1:200 scale model where the pilots, crew and CEO has signed the stand and also printed your name, flight number and date. - Should be a walk in the park and does not cost a fortune but still a challenge. 2; Here I would raise the bar to see if they might be able to step it up a notch. I like the idea of having your name engraved on a bath robe, the pajamas and some other things that would be nice. - Either they can fix it all or maybe only one thing. Include your flight number and date. Pick the fabrics and colors of your own choosing and taste as well if it should be written in English or Arabic. E: THE EASY 1; Water proof Bluetooth speaker when taking a shower. (Hilarious!!!) - JBL is to recommend and has a great sound. 2; As mentioned above, toiletries of your favorite exclusive brand, a favotite scent in your apartment and shower, and a little list of the small things you might want when having your 10 minute shower. - This one is not expensive nor difficult to fix, just a little tricky for the test. Either they manage it all or just one or a few things... So here you have it Ben, my list of the not so difficult nor expensive and extreme and also the second option, either they go for both of one of them. Should they miss out on both in one category, that's not a big deal but if the miss out on more than one and don't have any options to recommend you, then there are a few other things that we don't see that might have issues. You already mentioned the miss of the hotel booking with no reply after 6 days and when they did they tried to put you in another hotel that does not play in the same league. Good luck and enjoy it all whatever you choose! I am looking forward to read it! Ps. I forgot... Add the loofah just for fun. :D

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Nininini Guest

May 3, 2017, 12:07 am

I say forget the Champagne! Champs is basic :) How about some Kopi Luwak coffee? (Or, if that's too much, just some really high quality beans.) Excellent coffee is a true challenge

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Nick Guest Guest

May 2, 2017, 11:14 pm

Note from a foodie: Lobster, if that is what you are hankering for, is not that hard to over cook and cover in too much rich creamy sauce like Singapore Airlines does with their Thermidor. If you want to present a challenge I'd ask for a lobster roll on a toasted brioche. Specifically you'd like the lobster to be tender, without mayonnaise, just drawn butter, lemon juice and Bay seasoning, served with a side of crispy hot, salty, shoestring fries. Even on the ground this is a challenge to get just right. And it's the perfect food to wash down with some fancy bubbles of your choosing. And sure get some really good cole slaw on the side. It's always the "easy" things that are so hard to get right, especially at 30,000 feet. Good luck! Can't wait to hear what you choose and what they say!

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