I flew first class once. I had just left my job in Anchorage and needed to get to Seattle to meet my car, which was arriving on a barge. My Alaska Airlines account was full of miles after a few years of travelling to remote communities for stories, so I figured this would be my one opportunity to see what the front of the cabin is really like (and not have to actually pay for it). I was easily impressed by the service (they greeted me by name as soon as I stepped on the plane), the hot prime rib sandwich, and thoughtfully-curated wine selection, but it appears a growing number of “elite” travelers desire something more.
The bedroom in Etihad's new "residence." (Etihad image)
Enter the new Etihad Residence. The national airline of the United Arab Emirates was apparently having difficulty selling out the premium seats on its A-380s, so it’s replacing a bunch of those dreadful lie-flat seats with three-room “apartments.” Passengers enjoy their own living room, bathroom with shower, and bedroom, all serviced by a butler.
While the Etihad upgrade is in a class of its own, it highlights a broader trend in the airline industry. The last few years have seen a growing number of carriers, mostly international, making significant upgrades to their first and business class cabins. It’s like they’re trying to out-do one another. Or maybe they know the wealthy traveler will go to where the leather is most supple, the thread-count the highest, and the Champagne Demilly de Baere Carte d'Or Brut the most free-flowing.
While the Etihad upgrade is in a class of its own, it highlights a broader trend in the airline industry. The last few years have seen a growing number of carriers, mostly international, making significant upgrades to their first and business class cabins. It’s like they’re trying to out-do one another. Or maybe they know the wealthy traveler will go to where the leather is most supple, the thread-count the highest, and the Champagne Demilly de Baere Carte d'Or Brut the most free-flowing.
The sophisticated new La Premiere cabin on Air France. Note the curtains, a chic alternative to the sliding doors seen in many first class cabins. (Air France image)
Airlines give up a lot of valuable cabin space to please their discerning travelers, but they make a lot in return. I read somewhere that the Etihad apartment is expected to cost more than $20,000 per flight. A one-way ticket from New York to Paris in Air France’s just-unveiled La Premiere cabin will set you back $9,252.
A lot gets said about how air travel isn’t what it used to be. That’s certainly true. For a select group of travelers who are willing to pay a lot extra, it’s never been better.
A lot gets said about how air travel isn’t what it used to be. That’s certainly true. For a select group of travelers who are willing to pay a lot extra, it’s never been better.
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