Most Luxurious Flight - The Residence by Etihad A380 Abu Dhabi to Paris

Join me onboard Etihad Airways A380 flight in The Residence from Abu Dhabi to Paris. Sample the most luxurious way to travel in the commercial aviation.

I was so impressed and blown away by my first Residence flight last December so I decided to do a much longer flight to Paris, with my favorite butler Leanne and other cabin crew.

Watch the video to experience the most exclusive and luxurious commercial flight in the world.

Thanks to Etihad Airways for filming my journey in The Residence. My flight and opinion is NOT sponsored by Etihad. (Etihad videographer just filmed my flight)

Blog review and more pictures can be found in the link below:

In case you missed my first Residence flight, you can view it here:

-------

Join us for the most incredible, first class in-flight experience you will likely ever see, taken in absolute and astounding luxury from start to finish aboard the inaugural Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Paris on board the A380 super jumbo jet in Etihad's The Residence suite.

The heavenly aviation luxury starts even before arrival at the airport, with Etihad’s tailored and exquisite VIP travel concierge and chauffer service to the airport in a sleek and professional looking saloon Audi.

When we arrive, the red carpet is well and truly rolled out for us as we are greeted by our very own, personal assistant at an exclusive and private entrance to Abu Dhabi airport and taken to the first class lounge and spa to await our flight – this is the Etihad airways residence on the ground. We don’t have to do a thing as a whole group of attendants fuss around us in the background, even collecting our luggage and bringing it in for us.

As we enter the Etihad airways first class lounge, we are greeted by our very own personal and professional butler (trained at the Savoy hotel, London) to facilitate our every need within the sumptuous and spacious home-from-home lounge area. Our butler outlines the fabulous food and drink available, including great and imaginative mocktails with aviation inspired names. Within the first class spa, we enjoy a professional French style shave (our destination was Paris after all!) before dining on artistic and extremely well presented food prepared by our own personal chef including one very tasty lobster!

To top it all off, and to round off the meal and relax us before departure, we enjoy a specially selected and curated cigar in our own dedicated and furnished smoking room, prepared and lit for us by our butler.

Already, we have been treated like royalty but this is only the beginning – now it’s time for the flight! After boarding the A380 and being warmly greeted by all the staff, we enjoy a tour of the whole aeroplane, taking in and briefly examining the Etihad economy and business class studio sections, as well as seeing the dedicated bar and food preparation areas. The abundant space of the Airbus A380 aeroplane affords even a very pleasant and enjoyable experience in economy class.

Once we’ve spoken with the Etihad airways pilots and seen the cockpit of the A380, it is finally time to be taken to our private, three room suite in the sky, the Etihad residence. It is an astonishing, self-contained unit with large sliding doors and split in to a luxurious lounge/living room area, private bathroom and bedroom.

The living room is complete with a full set of touch screen controls, mini bar and 32 inch television and it made for an extremely comfortable and pleasant environment to relax and also interact with the cabin crew.

We are able to get a great night’s sleep in our very own double bed, covered in specially made, luxurious Italian linen and the breakfast in bed, prepared by our very own in-flight personal chef and served by our personal butler, makes for a very pleasing start to the day before we take the opportunity to freshen up in our full size shower and slip in to a super soft, personally initialled bath robe!
Nothing is left to chance and everything you could think or dream of is taken care of – there’s even a professional shoe shining service available - the whole experience makes the journey an absolute joy and allows you to arrive at your destination fully refreshed and completely ready to conduct your business.

The Etihad residence is the only three room suite on board a commercial airline and can comfortably cater for an individual or a couple. It is a wonder to behold and we really hope you enjoyed this magnificent experience with us – let us know in the comments what you thought and how you might choose to spend your time in Etihad’s residence!

[marioprz]

The level of luxury is too much to handle I can't take it

[sudeezudee]

Because of you, Sam. I will fly with Etihad. Your video experience is gorgeously amazing. And I really love your good manners in dealing with people serving you. GOD be with you!

[ANEWCreationLimited]

I appreciate how appreciative you are of the flight crew and everyone you interact with. Your humbleness and grateful attitude really shine on your videos, Sam. You inspire me for my own travels.

[pho]

People in economy: ughh can we arrive faster please?

Sam Chui: can you make the flight a little bit longer?

[fredpeipman]

I really like how appreciative, grateful, and kind you are to all the staff and crew.

[lionheart]

Thanks SamChui for showing this off :D I cant wait to try it out ... so KIDNEY FOR SALE .!!! WHO WANTS SOME KIDNEYSSS

[katherinekinnaird]

Its 3 years later. I'm new to the channel. I think it was touching and kind to open up about your Butler and friend saying goodbye to her position with the airline and how you also felt at that time. Kind words mean so much.

[apt]

The staff seem lovely in this flight...lovely & smiley. I hope they get paid well. As an aside, my Mum was a first class hostess, for Qantas, back in the glory days - 60s & 70s - where they were put up in 5 star hotels all over the world but also had to be weighed each month, to ensure they were pleasing to the eye...lol. My Mum was a model, so no issues there & she was even in the international Qantas TV adds in the 70s. Side note, she also served the Queen & the original Mrs. Hilton. She got a 48 page booklet on how to address the Queen, along with food requests & general etiquette. She was also screened by Interpol. I think it's a bit different now but sounds like great times back in the day. She said her favourite person to serve was Mrs. Hilton....she asked if she could get her anything & Mrs. Hilton said "don't worry about me dear. I'm just an old woman, who wants to see the world before I die." What a wonderful view of things given her riches & she was apparently the least demanding first class passenger ever. Great stories!

[simonangle]

at 20K a ticket I would expect the WiFi to be free

[tonyjgcoelho]

Going to Paris and no croissants at breakfast? That's unacceptable. I'm cancelling all my my next Residence flights at Etihad.

[arensa]

"Ohhh free WIFI"... really? You just paid $20, 000 for that seat, it better have bloody freaking WIFI. xD

[Nextolic]

Things you can't help but notice: 3:03 The only non obnoxiously smiling person. 3:57 The hostess sitting on the far left; so cute. 4:06 Hostess thinking; "Lord give me patience". 5:06 Oh wow that butler. 5:21 The guy on the right is like "Hello *sudden frowning face* who is this guy?" 5:54 Butler giggle. 6:23 "Really nice head cover here" Butler like; "Oh please". 6:33 The butler giggle again. 6:48 "It can be a comfortable flight in the economy *goes back to his personal bedroom*". 7:06 "French of course" The second pilot like; "Omg dude what was that of course stuff about?". 7:24 "What's our flying altitude tonight?" 7:35 Second pilot "I'm going to lose it I swear. Uhm...dude we have to take off. What's with all the que..dude". 8:06 Butler giggle. 8:16 Guy in the background, the most fake smile yet. 9:07 The inevitable kid crying. 9:21 Butler giggle. Marry me. 10:12 The "Push" what? 10:40 Butler like; "Oh Jesus". 15:00 Her last flight? Darn it.

[tachsinfernandi]

Well.., Sam, it's amazing you experience life like no much people do, travelling abroad most of time, enjoying luxury services from all corners of world. It's a great blessing.

[MG-egue]

I really respect the fact that this guy is flying in some of the swankiest conditions and still remains to be so polite and humble.

[victormanuelespindoladiaz]

Wow, amazing the class and service. I love Leanne. She's extraordinary.

[ferchox]

You need spend 5 hours before flight for enjoy all this incredibles amenities in the First class lounge awesome

[ironmanhebatsupermanhebat]

I like how the Butler lady serves inside the cigar room.. She looks so professional..

[balto]

in front of him there is probably a big guy saying : 'GET OUT THE WAY PEASANTS!!!'

[MrDevante]

I remember doing this flight I slept so good! The food was amazing! I stayed in the bed tho most of the time to just relax and watch movies! This is definitely an experience to have!

[geager]

The lady butlers look so perfect and gorgeous