Flying First Class is always an exciting experience, and Etihad Airways takes things a step further with their incredible First Class Apartments aboard the Airbus A380. For this journey, I was travelling from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Abu Dhabi aboard Etihad Airways flight EY032, operated by an Airbus A380-800 registered A6-APH.
From the exclusive lounge experience in Paris to the beautifully designed First Class Apartment, à la carte dining, a separate lie-flat bed and even an onboard shower, there was plenty to look forward to.
Having previously experienced Etihad's First Class Suites aboard the Boeing 787, I was particularly excited to spend some time exploring the airline's A380 First Class Apartments and see how the two products compared.
Here is a closer look at my experience.
Arriving at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
I had spent the previous night at an airport hotel in Paris, as I wanted to arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport nice and early for my morning departure.
After a quick and convenient journey on the airport train, I arrived at Terminal 1, ready to check in for my flight to Abu Dhabi.
One little detail I particularly appreciate about Etihad Airways First Class is the presentation of the boarding pass. Etihad provides a lovely boarding pass card insert for its First Class passengers, and although it may seem like a small thing, I think these thoughtful touches add something special to the overall experience.
With check-in complete, it was time to make my way to the lounge.
The Extime Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Etihad Airways doesn't operate its own dedicated lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Instead, eligible passengers are directed to the Extime Lounge in Terminal 1. Within the lounge is a separate VIP area for First Class and The Residence passengers, offering a more private space to relax before departure.
The First Class VIP Lounge
My first impression of the VIP lounge was excellent. It was beautifully presented, very clean and offered a selection of comfortable seating areas for relaxing, working or enjoying something to eat.
The large windows provided lovely views of the apron and runway, and with the morning sun rising outside, it was a particularly peaceful place to spend some time before boarding.
The food selection included cheeses, sliced cold meats, crêpes, dips, yoghurt, pastries, bread rolls and sweets.
Hot dishes were available in the main lounge buffet, although passengers in the VIP section could also request that a staff member bring food to them.
There was also a good selection of beverages, including coffee, TWG teas, juices, soft drinks, sparkling and still water, and alcoholic options.
I particularly enjoyed the atmosphere in this part of the lounge. It felt calm and comfortable.
Exploring the Main Extime Lounge
Beyond the VIP section, the main lounge offered several additional seating areas, including dining tables, comfortable lounge chairs and armchairs with ottomans.
Whether you wanted to catch up on some work, enjoy breakfast or simply relax before your flight, there were plenty of options.
The buffet was quite extensive, with cereals, fresh fruit, breads, dips, salads, sliced meats, cheeses, sausages, creamed spinach, grilled tomatoes, eggs, crêpes, pastries, yoghurt and sweets.
There was also a good selection of drinks, including teas, coffee, juices, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and water.
Shower facilities were available for passengers wanting to freshen up before their flight.
Overall, I thought this was a gorgeous lounge, particularly the First Class VIP area. The comfortable seating, lovely presentation and beautiful sunrise views made for a wonderful start to the morning.
Boarding Etihad Airways Flight EY032
After spending some time enjoying the lounge and watching the aircraft movements outside, including a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 wearing a special livery, it was time to make my way to the gate.
Our aircraft had arrived, and boarding was scheduled from Gate 25.
Priority boarding was available for Business Class, First Class and The Residence passengers.
Upon boarding, I was warmly welcomed by the cabin crew, who escorted me to my First Class Apartment.
Shortly afterwards, I was offered a welcome drink, a Medjool date, a refreshing towel and traditional Arabic coffee.
For my welcome drink, I chose Etihad's signature lemon and mint juice, which was a lovely refreshing way to begin the journey.
Before long, we were pushing back from the gate and taxiing towards the runway, ready to take to the skies.
Post-Take-Off Refreshments
Shortly after departure, I enjoyed a cup of herbal tea accompanied by mixed salted nuts, olives and wasabi peas.
There was also a generous basket of snacks, including dark arare, jelly beans, energy squares, hand-cooked potato chips, salted caramel popcorn, miniature chocolate bars, Bueno chocolates, mints and a ginger shot.
The ginger shot was a particular favourite of mine.
Economy Class
Economy Class is located on the aircraft's main deck and consists of 415 seats arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration.
Business Class
Moving upstairs, Business Class occupies approximately the rear two-thirds of the upper deck.
The cabin features 70 seats arranged in an alternating 1-2-1 configuration.
I have previously travelled in Etihad's A380 Business Class and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It is a product I have documented in my earlier flight reviews for anyone interested in seeing how it compares.
First Class and The Residence
At the front of the upper deck are Etihad's First Class Apartments and The Residence.
The First Class cabin features individual Apartments arranged in a 1-1 configuration, while The Residence is located at the very front of the aircraft on the left-hand side when facing the flight deck.
The Residence is a particularly extraordinary concept, offering passengers a private living area, bedroom and bathroom.
For this journey, I had hoped to experience The Residence, but unfortunately an upgrade wasn't available to me.
I wasn't particularly disappointed, however, as it gave me the opportunity to document the First Class Apartments in detail.
Etihad A380 First Class Apartments vs Boeing 787 First Class Suites
One thing worth knowing when booking Etihad First Class is that the airline offers two distinctly different products.
On the Airbus A380, the First Class accommodation is known as the First Class Apartment, while on the Boeing 787, Etihad offers its First Class Suites.
Although both are premium products, their designs and layouts are very different.
The A380 Apartments are particularly distinctive because they feature a separate armchair and bed, rather than converting the main seat into the sleeping surface.
If you're specifically hoping to experience the Apartments, make sure you check the aircraft type when booking, as an Etihad First Class ticket doesn't automatically mean you'll be travelling in one.
A Closer Look at First Class Apartment 4K
For this flight, I was seated in Apartment 4K, a forward-facing Apartment on the right-hand side of the aircraft, towards the rear of the First Class cabin and just ahead of the wing.
One thing I particularly like about the First Class cabin is its alternating layout, with some Apartments facing forwards and others facing backwards.
The Apartments also have privacy screens between certain seats, which can be raised or lowered depending on whether you're travelling alone or with someone.
Apartment 4K is positioned closer to the windows, which I personally prefer.
For those considering other seating options, Apartments 1H, 2H, 2C, 5H and 5C are positioned closer to the aisle, according to the layout on my flight.
Seat Controls, Charging and Storage
To the left of my seat were most of the controls and inflight amenities. These included the inflight entertainment remote, USB ports, an HDMI port, a headphone connection and a universal power outlet.
There was also a control panel for adjusting the lighting, seat position and massage functions.
Below the controls was a small storage compartment for personal belongings, with additional storage areas further along the side of the Apartment.
One of my favourite practical features was the vanity cupboard, which housed a selection of inflight amenities and toiletries.
There was also a pull-out surface with a cup holder, additional storage compartments and a non-refrigerated minibar drawer.
Near the Apartment doors was a small wardrobe, ideal for hanging clothing that you don't want creased during the flight, with room for shoes as well.
The Privacy Doors
One of the standout features of the First Class Apartment is its sliding privacy doors.
These create a lovely sense of separation from the rest of the cabin, particularly when combined with the high surrounding walls.
I have heard some passengers mention the small openings in the doors, but personally, they didn't bother me.
I found the overall level of privacy excellent and really appreciated having my own enclosed space to enjoy throughout the flight.
Three Windows and Electronic Shades
Apartment 4K featured three windows, with electronically controlled shades.
There are two layers of shading, allowing you to reduce the amount of natural light entering the Apartment or block it out more completely.
I love being able to control the lighting around me, particularly on flights where I want to enjoy the views for a while before settling down to rest.
Inflight Entertainment and Wi-Fi
The Apartment features a large 24-inch touchscreen entertainment display.
The system offers a selection of films, television programmes, children's entertainment, music, flight information and interactive maps.
I particularly enjoyed the flight maps, which are always something I spend time exploring when travelling.
The remote control is stored in a compartment beside the seat and can be released by pressing a button.
Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi was also available on my flight, with connection instructions provided in a small envelope.
Another clever feature is the entertainment screen's ability to slide outwards, allowing you to watch something comfortably while lying in bed.
I think this is a particularly well-thought-out part of the Apartment's design.
Dining in Etihad Airways A380 First Class
One of the things I enjoy most about Etihad Airways First Class is the flexibility of its dining service.
Rather than having to follow a set meal schedule, passengers can choose when they would like to eat throughout the flight.
I think this makes a significant difference to the experience, particularly when you want to relax, work or rest without having your time dictated by a meal service.
The crew were wonderfully accommodating, and I was able to enjoy my meal at my own pace.
Caviar Service
For my first course, I chose the caviar service.
Caviar is one of those lovely additions that helps distinguish a First Class dining experience, and I was looking forward to enjoying it as part of the meal.
Pea and Mint Soup
Next was the pea and mint soup, served with fresh cream and chimichurri sauce.
This was absolutely delicious.
The flavours worked beautifully together, and I enjoyed it so much that I could quite happily have eaten several more bowls.
It was one of my favourite dishes of the flight.
Following the soup, the crew served a small intermezzo to cleanse the palate before the main course. I believe this may have been raspberry flavoured, although I didn't catch the exact name.
Main Course: Black Cod
For my main course, I selected the black cod served with potato and leek ragout, broccolini, cherry tomatoes and green pea purée.
The presentation was lovely, and the fish was perfectly cooked.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dish and thought it was a beautiful choice for the main course.
Dessert and Coffee
Later on I decided to order some dessert and coffee.
I chose crème anglaise with mixed berries, and the crew also kindly brought me some ice cream.
I believe the ice cream was vanilla, accompanied by white chocolate, mixed fruit and nuts, although I wasn't certain of the exact flavour.
It was a lovely way to finish the dining experience.
Overall, I was very impressed with the food on this flight, particularly the pea and mint soup.
The Etihad Airways A380 Onboard Bar
Another feature of Etihad's A380 is its onboard bar and lounge area.
Compared with the larger and more elaborate onboard bars found on Emirates and Qatar Airways, Etihad's offering is fairly simple.
However, it is still a pleasant little space where passengers can enjoy a drink with their travelling companions or perhaps meet some fellow travellers.
The crew also kindly took me on a short tour of the aircraft, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
And I have to say, the staircase aboard the Airbus A380 never gets old. There is something rather special about walking between the decks of such an enormous aircraft.
First Class Amenities and Skincare Products
Etihad provides an extensive selection of inflight amenities in its A380 First Class Apartments.
Rather than storing everything in a traditional amenity bag, many of the products are arranged inside the Apartment's vanity cupboard.
The cupboard features three mirrors, built-in pockets and a small waste compartment, making it easy to keep everything organised.
On my flight, Etihad provided skincare and personal care products from ESPA.
These included hand and body lotion, an overnight hydration face mask, nourishing lip treatment, mouthwash, tissues, earplugs, dental products and a vanity kit.
There was also a revitalisation set containing a Dr.Jart+ face mask and eye patches, along with a small cotton pouch for taking selected items away.
Additional products could be requested from the crew if needed.
Etihad also provided Armani-branded slippers and pyjamas.
The pyjamas came presented in a lovely leather pouch, available in a few colours depending on what was onboard.
I thought this was a particularly nice touch, and the presentation added to the feeling of luxury.
The Etihad A380 First Class Shower
One of the most exciting features of Etihad's Airbus A380 First Class experience is the opportunity to enjoy a shower while flying.
It is certainly not something you get to experience on most aircraft.
There are two lavatories for First Class passengers, one of which contains the onboard shower. The Residence has its own private bathroom and shower facilities. The crew had kindly prepared everything for me before I arrived.
The shower area was equipped with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a shower cap and towels, along with the other lavatory amenities.
One important thing to know is that the shower door must be properly closed and locked before the water will operate.
Passengers have approximately five minutes of running water, which can be monitored using the indicator lights inside the shower.
These change from green towards red as the available water time runs down.
Although five minutes might sound rather short, it is enough time for a refreshing shower.
Being able to freshen up at 35,000 feet is a wonderful experience, and it certainly adds something special to flying First Class aboard the A380.
First Class Lavatories
The first lavatory featured a full-length mirror, baby-changing table, shelving and a selection of amenities.
These included facial mist, hand and body lotion, hand soap, tissues, paper towels, toilet seat covers and cups
Black is actually one of my favourite colours, but I think a softer combination of neutral tones and gold accents would have suited the space beautifully.
Sleeping in the First Class Apartment
Another distinctive feature of Etihad's A380 First Class Apartment is that the bed is separate from the main seat. Rather than reclining the armchair into a flat bed, a long bench along the side of the Apartment converts into the sleeping area. The crew kindly prepared my bed while I was getting ready to use the shower. When I returned, everything was beautifully arranged and ready for me to rest. I found the bed comfortable and surprisingly spacious. At 5 feet 5 inches tall, I had plenty of room to stretch out, with considerable space remaining at the end. The bed appeared to be approximately 80–85 inches long, although I didn't measure it during the flight. The bedding was comfortable, and the Apartment's high walls and privacy doors created a lovely environment for relaxing. I also appreciated being able to slide the inflight entertainment screen outwards so I could watch something while lying down. There were additional entertainment controls, a headphone connection, lighting controls and privacy screen adjustments within reach of the bed. I think Etihad has done a wonderful job with this design, particularly the separation between the seat and sleeping area. It gives the Apartment a more residential feeling, rather than simply being a large airline seat.
Preparing for Arrival in Abu Dhabi
After enjoying some rest, dessert and coffee, it was unfortunately time to begin our descent into Abu Dhabi.
The crew prepared the cabin for landing, and I returned to my seat for the final part of the journey.
As always, it is a little disappointing when a particularly enjoyable flight comes to an end, especially when there are so many lovely features to experience onboard.
My Final Thoughts on Etihad Airways A380 First Class
Having previously flown Etihad's Boeing 787 First Class Suites, I was particularly interested in seeing how the A380 Apartments compared.
Both offer a lovely First Class experience, but I think the A380 has some particularly special features. The spacious Apartment, separate bed, sliding privacy doors, onboard shower and flexible dining service make it a distinctive product. I also thoroughly enjoyed the food.
The crew were wonderfully throughout the journey, and their attentive service made the experience even more enjoyable.
Overall, I had a wonderful flight and would happily travel in Etihad's A380 First Class Apartments again.
For anyone considering this experience, I would recommend checking the aircraft type carefully when booking, as the A380 Apartments and Boeing 787 Suites are two very different products.
Watch My Full Etihad Airways A380 First Class Flight Review
If you would like to experience the journey with me, including the Extime Lounge in Paris, a detailed tour of Apartment 4K, inflight dining, onboard amenities, shower facilities and the lie-flat bed, you can watch my full flight review on my YouTube channel here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2urkSxAL4g
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section over there. Have you flown Etihad Airways First Class before, or is the A380 Apartment an experience you would like to try?
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey and for the wonderful support, comments and messages I continue to receive.
Until next time, and as always,
Enjoy the Journey! ✈️