The $20,000 Residence on Etihad A380

There's nothing like The Residence in commercial air travel.

The Residence is above First Class; with a living room, separate bedroom and en-suite shower room, it is the only three-room suite on a commercial airline in the world. It is indeed the World's Premiere Flying Experience.

I hadn't flown The Residence in 2 years and I was very keen to re-live this fantastic experience, so I decided to dress up for the occasion. This flight was Etihad's inaugural A380 service from Abu Dhabi to Seoul Incheon.

On the return flight from Incheon to Abu Dhabi (next episode), I will be back in Economy to see the differences in travel experience on the same plane.

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Join me for my third, spectacular experience in Etihad Airway’s The Residence! The Residence is completely out of this world within the field of luxury, commercial passenger aviation, far surpassing any first class service that you might care to mention. It is unique in so many ways from providing the only, true double bed in a public, commercial aviation setting within your cabin to the provision of your own personal butler whilst in The Residence lounge and also whilst up in the air, trained in the prestigious Savoy Hotel in London.

I take the inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi international airport to Incheon Airport in Seoul, South Korea at the invitation of Etihad Airways, celebrating the launch of this new route in The Residence. I will be making the return journey in economy class in my next video guys, so watch out for that one!

If you’d like to see my first and second Residence experiences, you can see these in my videos here:

The Residence flying experience provides a home from home on the ground and then in the sky where any need or desire you could think of is expertly and carefully taken of. The Residence experience starts with being chauffeur driven in a luxury car (typically Audi, BMW or Mercedes) to the first class, VIP terminal of the airport where you are met by your personal luggage carrier, butler and chef.

Whilst waiting for your flight, you are housed in your own little palace with access to a spa (I opt to have an extremely relaxing and very nice and pleasant foot massage) and even a smoking room, lavishly decorated and stocked with the finest cigars, including Cuban, from around the world. Your own personal chef is on hand to deliver a Michelin Star level of dining experience, with each dish being hand crafted to your requirements and set in front of you with an explanation of each of the components of the dish before you begin eating. There are a wide variety of premium wines, spirits, beers and champagne to choose from.

Within your Residence lounge, there is a large, wall-mounted television and library. The Residence on the ground experience is absolutely sublime and a true masterpiece of comfort and service for the passenger.

At the gate to the aeroplane, I am met by the person who is to be my butler in the air. He introduces himself and up in the air, it’s clear that he cares – that’s what’s so great about Etihad Airway’s The Residence – the personal touch. They have researched my background before the day and present me with a number of aviation magazines to read and enjoy on the flight, as well as a framed photo of myself and a certificate to commemorate my travelling on this inaugural flight with Etihad in The Residence.

I am extremely impressed with the food I receive on the flight, with a delicious steak and chips being put before me as the main course and delicious little Asian sandwiches with succulent meat as a starter. I am also treated to Bellini Cipriani wine and a wonderful post-dinner digestif of Cellar 28 Remy Martin – greater opulence you couldn’t imagine, honestly!

After dinner, I can sprawl out on my double bed and watch TV in private, after taking a very relaxing and refreshing shower in my private bathroom on board. After sleeping, I rub my eyes to see my personal butler bringing a luxurious and mouth-watering breakfast of waffles and raspberries, served with champagne to get me in the mood to face a new day before we land.

Overall, I am once again bowled over by Etihad’s provision for me within The Residence class on board and I hold Etihad Airway’s The Residence in the highest regard. Would did you think of the whole fantastic experience? Let me know in the comments – as always, I am very pleased to share these gems of an aviation experience with you, my audience, and I thank you for watching.

[SamChui]

This is not my first time flying The Residence. One of the main goal I have here is to make a better video to share the experience so I invested in better gears, with a professional videographer traveling with me. Unlike the first and second time which I paid my own Residence flight, this (3rd time!) is indeed an invite from Etihad like i mentioned early in the video. I asked to go one way in The Residence and return in economy to have a feel the differences.

For more depth review of The Residence and how to afford it, please visit my blog post

[johnyeven]

This reminds me of the one time I found 50 euros on the street and took a taxi back home instead of walking. Ah, the good life.

[pho]

People in economy: can we arrive faster pls?


People in residence: can we not arrive at all?

[ziyyos]

Meanwhile at the economy:
She: do you want something to drink?
Me: what are my options?
she: yes or no

[justinr]

I work in hospitality (fancy ass buffet) and I've started watching these videos to get pointers from the wait/stewarding staff - the butlers and whatnot. They are always amazing right down to posture and body language. Airlines have the highest quality customer service no doubt about it.

[tubastud]

"You seem familiar"
"Ah, you lost weight"

Smooth, Sam,

[MrMiniPancakes]

He seems so friendly and the fact that he remembers everyone’s name is very heartwarming

[emilalakbarov]

It's honestly impressive how they maintain those smiles for so long... I could never do that lol

[shaangandhi]

Kudos to the butler. Full of class. He’s the star of the show

[alfchuah]

Because of you, Sam, every time I see an Etihad butler, I only think of Leanne. She was so professional and set the standard very very high. You’re very lucky to have been served by her.

[tapie]

The butler is a good man, may God bless him.

[JPTech]

Interesting video as usual. What is fascinating to me is the food presentation, and how service is given. Food & drink service, presentation, how staff acts, the wording they use, the flow of service, how they anticipate guests needs. And of course the ability to deliver this in the sky!

[applegamerclashofclansymas]

Meanwhile in economy:
-Beef or chicken
-A baby crying the whole flight

[splitter]

The butler did a really good job, shoutout to him.

[hoog]

"The Residence is a once in a lifetime experience"
Sam: *does it for third time*

[AndresLeonRangel]

I love how humble and modest Sam seems to be yet he is so full of fancy experiences in life.

[cirej]

Sam: “You lost weight”.
Butler: “Here is a picture of you when you were 20 lbs lighter”.

[vilalta]

"I really encourage you to have this experience"
Sure. I just happen to have a little problem
Its called a 20k flight

[MrAledro]

Complimentary wifi? For 20k I want my own friggin satellite

[trapbois]

Wow what an experience, I butler constantly interacting with you to service your every need. It's really comfort at it finest. Obviously there is the cost to this premium experience but experiencing it even once is worth the absolute care and dedication to your every need. Some people may want privacy or are socially anxious but they honestly oblige to your every need, what more do you want LOL.