Nov 20, 2016

Excuse me, this flight is too short



Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to not just spend a few days in Abu Dhabi, but to fly there in the Etihad First Class apartment on the Airbus A380 from JFK. I had seen the initial promo videos about the Apartment and Residence, but never imagined I’d experience it myself. I’ve logged quite a few miles in the past 3 years (somewhere over 300k if we’re counting), and I’ve always peeked into the first class area when exiting planes, but no one redefines the first class experience like Etihad does. They are truly an innovator in this space. I felt a sense of discovery like no other from the moment I checked in to the moment I stepped off the plane – and I felt like a giddy schoolgirl the entire time.


First, the Etihad lounge in JFK is just lovely. It’s bright and airy with plenty of seating and no shortage of delicious food. There’s a buffet service (with killer chicken tikka masala), as well as a menu with even more options. I was almost reluctant to leave the lounge when it was time to head to the plane. I was able to get on the plane before boarding began in order to take some photos, so I got to scope out the infamous Residence with its adjoining bedroom and private shower. Unreal!


I’m not going to do a comprehensive review, as many others have covered this flight experience in precise detail. I’ll let the photos do the talking, as I usually do. There were so many highlights that I can still recount them clearly, even months after taking the flight. One standout was the level of service I received. I felt like I could have asked for a Shake Shack burger, and somehow they would have made one appear – on a silver platter if I wanted. The food was so excellent that it was hard to believe that it came from an airplane kitchen. The wines were so great that I didn’t even sleep very much because I wanted to try so many of them! (True story.)


Another highlight was the design of the cabin itself and the privacy I had when I shut the doors. After the flight, I joked to friends that I could “walk around in my hallway and change into pajamas right there in my room!” That’s not an exaggeration – that’s exactly what I did. I also took advantage of the shower, because why the hell not? I was just as giddy and excited to tell my friends about the turndown service. I repeat, turndown service. Etihad really spared no details here. They even left a little bookmark by the pillow with a quote by Rumi.


I decided to have a snack in the bar/lounge that connects the first class cabin to the business class cabin. If you're traveling with friends, this would be a fun hangout spot for sure. Endless food and drink, and a big screen TV - you can't really ask for more than that.

When we started our descent, I was nowhere near ready to leave the plane. "This flight is too short!", I thought. "It's going to ruin all of my future flight experiences!", I thought. (It's actually about 13 hours, which normally would be a dreadful ordeal, but I was so excited the whole time that it went by in a blur.) Etihad really transformed the flying experience for me, and although it may be a long long time before I get to experience something like it again, the impression it made on me will last longer than that. And maybe someday flying can be more like this for everybody... one can dream.

Touchdown. I was eager to explore Abu Dhabi and its surrounding areas as its skyline and landscape were completely new to me. Below are some of the sights I saw. Some of it felt like I was dreaming, as they were truly spectacular.





Thank you to Etihad Airways for partnering on this post.

13 comments :

  1. This is so dreamy !! How can you ever leave this plane haha I wouldn't, they gonna have to drag me out haha 😅 !! This is amazing, so luxurious and comfy they really got it all !!

    https://ayeuh.wordpress.com

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  2. What a luxurious vacation, isn't Dubai stunning? I was so struck by how unique Dubai is as a country. That plane looks so comfy, what a lovely flight it must have been!

    My Lovelier Days

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  3. Wow, this is absolutely beautiful! I actually recall you sharing the experience of you visiting Dubai via Snapchat and I couldn't help wonder when we would be able to read and view the photographs from this mind-blowing trip. Gorgeous work as always Alice! As someone who had the opportunity to visit Cuba this year, I'm dying for you to have the opportunity and to be able to get your photographic perspective on it!

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  4. That dessert! I love your pictures as always and I love Etihad too! They just honestly does the best flying experience, even with economy class! I can imagine how privilege the guest must feel in the first class!


    xx Margaret
    www.maleemaleehong.com | www.facebook.com/maleemaleehong

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  5. Wow, what an incredible experience! I don't think I would have wanted to get off the plane either.

    Never heard of Etihad before, I'll definitely have to check them out :)

    Heather x www.atelierofstyle.co.uk

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  6. It must have been hard keeping these to yourself! Incredibly beautiful...

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  7. Alice, the photo of you on the dunes is just stunning!

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  8. You are probably thinking what would it take for you to be able to get hold of one of the most exciting games available online. Are you aware that aircraft games are a fad nowadays? And with an online flight simulator, you can surely bring your flight gaming experience into another level. See more free online plane simulator

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  9. How lovely! For giggles I decided to look up the price flying out of New York. Oh. Well. Not in this lifetime. That's not even an "oh, I saved for a few years" experience. My student loan debt isn't even that much, and as an American that says a lot. Ha!

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    1. Hah! Well I think the key is to book it with airline miles, so if you get a credit card that lets you earn miles or you travel a lot with American Airlines, the redemption rate for a First Class ticket isn't too bad. I think this is how most people who aren't filthy rich get to travel this way!

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