Imagine watching a movie and savoring champagne while sitting on a
couch. After the delectable meal, retire into the cozy bed. This is not a
five star hotel or your home. This is 10,000 feet in the air on Etihad
Airways A380 flight to London.
The First Apartments concept for the airline’s first class cabin has
been recognized at the Society of British and International Design
(SBID) awards held in London. The airline won the Overall Design Award
2014. Abu Dhabi based airline commented in a press release that SBID is
one of the most acclaimed in world design and consists of 15 categories
in design excellence. The airline was entered in the Best Entertainment
Space, but grabbed the Overall Design Award.
Acumen Design Associates, CEO, Ian Dryburgh commented that the company
designed the first class based on the Inspired Service concept which
aims at bringing exclusivity and individuality of a boutique hotel to
the first class traveler. The airline will configure its ten new A380s
with nine First Apartments. The first aircraft will be deployed on Abu
Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
route starting December 27.
The First class cabin on the upper deck of the wide body aircraft will
feature 80.5 inch separate bed, full length wardrobe, vanity unit,
mini-bar, private walk-in living space with Poltrona Frau Armchair. The
First Apartments are 74 percent larger than the current First Class
suites occupying a 39 square feet area.
The airline started operating from Abu Dhabi in 2003. It carried 11.5
million travelers to 111 cargo and passenger destinations in Asia,
Africa, the Americas, Australia, Europe and the Middle East last year.
