Etihad Airways A380 First Class Apartment, London to Abu Dhabi
I was back at Heathrow Terminal 4 for the first time in four years, heading to Abu Dhabi on Etihad’s A380 in First Class Apartments. I’d read about it, watched it, imagined it. Seeing it in person felt surreal. But this flight ended up being far more complicated than I expected—equal parts stunning and disappointing.
This flight had breathtaking hardware and a chef who cared deeply, but the rest of the crew left me cold. The apartment was huge, the food thoughtful, yet the warmth I expected never came. A beautiful seat can’t fix a hollow service tone.
Airline: Etihad Airways | Aircraft: Airbus A380 | Cabin: First Class Apartment | Route: London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi
Ground experience
I arrived at Terminal 4 unsure what to expect after years away. The Etihad lounge was tucked behind construction walls, looking tired and worn. It was quiet but not impressive. Furniture showed age, and the atmosphere lacked polish. It reminded me how lounges can make or break the start of a premium trip. This one didn’t.
Boarding was calm, though. I walked down the jet bridge and entered the A380 to be greeted politely, but not warmly. That small difference—between a smile and a script—set the tone for what came next.
The apartment
Stepping inside, I stopped talking. The Etihad First Class Apartment isn’t a seat, it’s a personal cabin. My space felt like a small studio with leather upholstery and polished surfaces. A separate seat and bed filled the suite, divided by a partition. The sliding doors gave privacy without feeling shut in.
The layout included a massive screen, adjustable lights, and more storage than I could use. There was a hidden drawer, a small minibar with soft drinks, a vanity mirror, and neatly labeled power ports—USB, HDMI, and a universal socket. A tiny lamp cast a warm glow. Every surface felt deliberate.
The seat itself, though elegant, was firm. Recline was limited. Even in relax mode, it sat upright. Working on my laptop felt awkward because of the angle. When converted, the bed looked beautiful but was very hard by European standards. In Sweden we like soft bedding, so I struggled to get truly comfortable.
Bedding and amenities
The bedding came folded with a midweight duvet and standard pillow. Pajamas and slippers were provided in Etihad’s beige palette. The amenity kit looked nice and included creams, an eye mask, and socks. Each item came wrapped in plastic, which felt unnecessary. It reminded me that sustainability and luxury rarely meet in first class.
IFE and connectivity
The screen stretched wide across the wall—impressive at first glance but slow in operation. The entertainment library lagged far behind Emirates’ ICE and Qatar’s Oryx systems. Movie choice felt limited, and the interface looked dated. The headphones were decent, but not noise-canceling to the level of Bose or Sony quality.
Free Wi-Fi sounded generous. In reality, it was unusable. I couldn’t load a single photo on Instagram. It was technically included but practically worthless.
Dining
A tray arrived with Arabic coffee, dates, a Wi-Fi card, and a warm towel. The champagne tasted fine but was a mid-range bottle—around $64 retail—far below the premium Krug poured on Cathay Pacific. I didn’t mind much, but frequent flyers will notice the downgrade.
Service began with canapés and a mocktail. The presentation was artful, the plating crisp and white. Then came the Arabic mezze, which blew me away. I’ve spent time across the Middle East and tasted countless baba ghanoush variations, but this one was extraordinary. The seasoning, texture, and freshness stood out. Even the mint in the juice felt intentional. It was the best mezze I’ve ever had—and it came from an aircraft galley.
After that, a frozen palate cleanser appeared, described as tamarind-flavored yogurt ice cream. Clever and refreshing. Then, things changed. A crew interaction soured the mood completely. I stopped filming and kept to myself for the rest of the meal. I’ll detail that elsewhere, but it left me deflated.
Later, I sampled the pre-landing snack: French fries and carrot juice. Oddly simple, but nicely done. It matched my quiet mood at that point.
Service
The onboard chef, Alex, was the best part of the flight. His tone felt genuine, his curiosity real. He made suggestions, asked questions, and tailored dishes. I wish the rest of the team had his warmth. Four different people served me at various points, each polite but disconnected. No one took ownership of the experience.
That fragmentation breaks the illusion of exclusivity. In a restaurant, one waiter builds rapport. Here, I had a relay team. It felt impersonal. Before landing, no one stopped to check how the flight went. No farewell, no thank you. The purser called me by my first name the whole flight without asking. It wasn’t offensive, just awkward. I left feeling invisible, which is the opposite of luxury.
Cabin environment
The A380 itself was spotless and quiet. Lighting cycled softly between warm and cool tones. Cabin temperature held steady on the warm side, especially before descent into Abu Dhabi. I stepped out feeling flushed, humidity thick in the air. Still, the aircraft’s calm ride and sound insulation made the journey physically easy.
Shower and lavatory
Etihad’s A380, like Emirates’, includes a shower suite for First Class. I didn’t review it in detail on this flight because I’m saving that for another story, but knowing it exists is already a win. There’s one shower for First passengers, and it’s shared among the nine apartments.
Arrival and connection
We landed into hot, humid Abu Dhabi on time. I stayed overnight before connecting to Muscat the next day. That short onward flight isn’t part of this review, but I did visit Etihad’s First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi, and it was magnificent. Attentive staff, custom vegan dishes, and a calm spa area. The contrast to the flight crew was striking. The lounge delivered the hospitality the onboard team couldn’t.
Value and comparison
This product sits in rare air, both literally and financially. The Apartment remains one of the most architecturally impressive airline seats ever made. Yet the emotional side of the experience fell flat. Emirates and Qatar now blur the line between First and Business, offering high-touch service even one cabin lower. That’s where Etihad risks losing ground.
Summary points
- Beautiful, enormous apartment with real privacy.
- Phenomenal onboard chef, authentic interaction.
- Disjointed cabin crew service, lacked warmth.
- Hard bed and upright seat limit comfort.
- IFE outdated, Wi-Fi practically unusable.
- Arabic mezze and presentation outstanding.
Ratings
| Category | Score | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Seat and layout | 9/10 | Massive private space, limited recline comfort. |
| Dining and drinks | 8/10 | Excellent mezze, thoughtful service, mid-tier wine list. |
| Service | 6/10 | Chef outstanding, rest of crew detached and inconsistent. |
| IFE and Wi-Fi | 5/10 | Slow system, almost unusable Wi-Fi. |
| Comfort and sleep | 7/10 | Hard mattress, upright seat, but quiet cabin. |
| Ground experience | 7/10 | London lounge tired, Abu Dhabi lounge excellent. |
| Punctuality and operations | 9/10 | On time, smooth flight. |
| Overall | 7.6/10 | Strong hard product, weak human touch. |
Why this flight stayed with me
Etihad’s A380 Apartment is a triumph of design but a reminder that service defines memory. I left admiring the craftsmanship, the chef, and the calm of the aircraft. Yet I also left wondering how something so beautiful could feel so cold. If Etihad brings back its spirit, this could again be the world’s best first class. For now, it’s a visual masterpiece missing a heartbeat.