Etihad, the Abu Dhabi-based national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has created the closest thing to having you own private jet on its commercial flights. It’s called ‘The Residence’ – a 11.6-square-metres (125ft sq) 3-room upper-deck cabin on Etihad A380s with a living room, separate double bedroom (1.2m wide), ensuite shower room and personal butler, trained at London’s Savoy Butler Academy, as well as a travel concierge on hand, plus a chef to cook whatever passengers fancy.
Etihad has also upped the ante in first class on A380s, with new private suites, ‘First Apartment’, 74% larger that its existing suites, with Poltrona Frau leather reclining armchair and 203cm-long ottoman that transforms into a flat bed, swivelling 86cm TV, mini-bar, personal vanity unit and wardrobe, all behind a 162cm-high sliding door.