Etihad Airways First Class: First Apartment (A380) Review
Etihad First Apartment is one of the most luxurious cabin products in commercial aviation. Private suite with separate chair and bed, sliding doors, and the cabin's signature feature — an actual shower onboard. Available on US-AUH and AUH-LHR routes only.
Rating: 9.8/10 · Aircraft: Airbus A380-800
Seat specifications
| Layout | 1-2-1 with center pairs convertible to double beds |
| Width | Separate chair + separate bed |
| Seat pitch | N/A — separate seat and bed |
| Bed length | 80 inches in the bed |
| Privacy | Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, private mini-wardrobe |
Service
Dedicated butler (Flying Nanny for families). Multi-course dining with formal place settings. Champagne, caviar, signature cocktails. Service level aims for Michelin-star restaurant quality.
Dining
Signature Etihad First dining with hot meals prepared onboard. Regional specialties + Western options. Multi-course wine pairings.
Entertainment
Large screens, extensive content library, live TV.
Amenities
- Full shower onboard (this is the feature)
- Christian Lacroix amenity kit
- Etihad-branded pajamas (limited edition)
- Personal dressing room
Pros
- Onboard shower is a unique experience (the only commercial first class with this)
- Private suite with doors; separate seat and bed
- Butler service (one crew per suite)
- Award bookable at 110K Etihad Guest miles — very achievable via MR/Cap One/Citi transfers
Cons
- Only on A380 routes — limited schedule
- Availability is rare (1-2 seats per flight maximum)
- Etihad's broader route network has contracted; fewer destinations than 10 years ago
How to book with points
| Program | Point cost |
|---|---|
| Etihad Guest | 110,000 miles one-way US-AUH |
| American AAdvantage | 50,000-100,000 miles off-peak (when available) |
FAQ
Does Etihad First Apartment really have a shower?
Yes — the A380 has a dedicated first class shower suite. Each First Apartment passenger gets a 5-minute shower during the flight. Water is heated and pressurized onboard. The experience is genuinely novel and comfortable.
How rare is Etihad First Apartment award space?
Very rare. Most flights have 0-1 award seats available; some have none. Etihad Guest releases space with minimal predictability. Set alerts via ExpertFlyer or AwardLocker and book immediately when space appears.
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