news Is Etihad Planning Changes To The Residence?

We recently learned that Etihad Airways will be reactivating some Airbus A380s in 2023. Specifically, the airline will be bringing back four of these planes as of summer, and

they'll fly between Abu Dhabi and London. While the Etihad passenger experience on the A380 is great across the board, perhaps most intriguing is that this marks the return of The

Residence, the most exclusive experience in commercial aviation. However, it seems to me like Etihad might be planning some major changes to this product. Basics of The Residence,

Etihad's amazing A380 suite While Etihad's Airbus A380s have nine amazing First Class Apartments, the plane's crown jewel is The Residence. This is located at the very front left

of the first class cabin. Etihad Airbus A380 first class cabin The Residence is a private three room suite that takes up 125 square feet. It includes a living room, a bedroom, and

a private bathroom with a shower. Physically it's such a spectacularly good product. Etihad The Residence living room Etihad The Residence bedroom Etihad The Residence bathroom

What really set the experience apart, though, was the level of service. You'd have a private lounge in Abu Dhabi, and a team of people taking care of you on the ground. Then when

it was time to board, you'd be introduced to your onboard butler, who was there to just take care of you, and to customize the experience however you'd like (including putting a

signed Shawn Mendes picture on your pillow with turndown service, if that's what you'd like). Etihad The Residence customization at work! I reviewed The Residence several years

back on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Sydney. While The Residence typically cost $25K+ for a one-way flight, I found a pretty good fare at the time by originating in Cairo. I smile to

this day thinking back on what an epic experience it was, as I don't think I'll ever have a flight like that again. The economics of The Residence were always a bit questionable,

since it didn't sell out consistently, and Etihad never upgraded people to it. So on a majority of flights it sat empty. On the plus side, The Residence had an incredible halo

effect for the company, as it got so much publicity, and really made Etihad more known globally. Is Etihad planning changes to The Residence? With Etihad bringing back its Airbus

A380s, what does that mean for The Residence? Well, something tells me it's going to be a bit different than before the A380s were grounded. What makes me say that? First of all,

The Residence will only be bookable as of March 2023, so it's interesting that the airline is waiting several months to sell it. Then in talking about The Residence, you'll notice