See inside Etihad's giant Airbus A380 that is flying to the US again after being nearly forced into retirement

Etihad pilots after landing in New York on Monday.

Etihad Airways

• Etihad Airways has reintroduced its Airbus A380 superjumbo on US flights after a four-year hiatus.
• The A380 was almost retired during the pandemic, but Etihad has since had a change of heart.
• The airline's A380 stands out thanks to its one-of-a-kind, three-room cabin called "The Residence."

Etihad Airways has finally reintroduced its beloved Airbus A380 superjumbo on flights to the US after years of uncertainty.

Purchased as an ultra-long-haul workhorse to connect its Abu Dhabi hub with far-away international destinations, the A380 first flew to New York in 2015 but left when the pandemic halted travel in 2020.

The COVID-19 crisis exacerbated already growing problems with fuel-hungry, quad-engine planes, prompting Etihad to consider retiring the jet. Other carriers like Air France and Thai Airways had already sent their A380s to the boneyard.

Etihad didn't follow through, however, instead deciding to re-launch the plane on flights to London last summer due to strong post-pandemic demand.

The airline has since moved one of those A380 flight to New York to up capacity at JFK — competing with rival five-star carrier Emirates' luxe A380 superjumbo already flying to the airport.

Here's what passengers can expect when flying Etihad in economy, business, first class, and its three-room "The Residence" suite.

Etihad's first A380 flight to the US since 2020 landed just after 10 a.m. on Monday after trekking more than 14 hours from Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways A380 flight path from Abu Dhabi to New York on April 22, 2024.

Courtesy of FlightAware

The famous double-decker left Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport at about 3:20 a.m. local time and landed at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport just after 10 a.m. ET, according to FlightAware.

The plane is one of four A380s active in Etihad's fleet, each featuring dual-level cabin with economy, business, and first class seats.

An Etihad Airbus A380.

Etihad

The A380 replaced one of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners that previously flew the Abu Dhabi-New York route, leaving one Dreamliner and the superjumbo flying the two daily frequencies.

If it needs even more capacity, Etihad has another six A380s on "reserve," CRO Arik De told Business Insider in December when the NYC route was first announced.

The most basic offering on Etihad's A380 is economy, featuring the typical inflight amenities like entertainment, food, and reclining seats.

Etihad's economy product has an edge over competitors thanks to added amenities.

M101Studio/Shutterstock

Etihad's 415-seat economy cabin is located on the lower level of the mammoth superjumbo, and the nice finishings like a cupholder and a touchscreen remote highlight its five-star status.

Coach comes with a winged headrest and a tray table, as well as a seatback pocket, 17.5 inches of seat width, and 31 inches of pitch — putting its legroom on par with the likes of Delta Air Lines and British Airways, according to SeatGuru.

Customers can pay for an economy upgrade, like seats with extra legroom, ones that are more kid-friendly, or seats that are "neighbor-free."

The extra legroom bulkhead seats on Etihad's A380 can come with a baby bassinet (pictured in 2015 before Economy Space was designated in 2018).

M101Studio/Shutterstock

"Economy Space" seats offer five more inches of pitch than the regular coach seats. The bulkhead is in the first row of the cabin and won't have a row in front.

Neighbor-free seating is similar to Lufthansa's option, which guarantees the adjacent seat will be empty — essentially a 2-in-1-type booking.

Notably, Etihad does not have a premium-economy cabin like its UAE counterpart Emirates. Economy Space is as close as it gets.

Etihad's A380 economy cabin right before its inaugural flight in 2014. Specific Economy Space seats have since been designated.

First Class Photography/Shutterstock

Former CEO Tony Douglas said at its launch that Etihad has not added premium economy because it wants simplicity.

"We listen to our guests, and space is what they tell us that they really want," he told Executive Traveller in 2022. "But what we haven't done is put in a lot of cost and unnecessary complexity."

Etihad's upper deck is where the luxury is — and where the airline makes its money.

Etihad's A380 before its inaugural service in 2014.

AFP/Getty Images

The second level of the A380 hosts Etihad's most premium cabins. There are 70 lie-flat business class seats, nine fully enclosed first class "apartments," and the one-of-a-kind "The Residence" suite.

Filling up its expensive upper deck on every flight is essential in making the gas-gusting A380 profitable — meaning it has to have an attractive product to compete with the other five-star carriers also serving New York.

Business class offers the typical luxuries like aisle access, plenty of storage, and a touchscreen television with a connected remote.

Etihad's business class cabin is in the back half of the A380's second level. Some seats are forward-facing, and some are backward-facing.

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Customers can expect the common bells and whistles of business class plus a few special perks, but it's not cheap.

Flights for mid-July in A380 business class between New York and Abu Dhabi on Etihad's website show fares starting at about $4,000 each way.

The premium cabin also offers WiFi access, power ports, an amenity kit, window shades, and a pillow and blanket for sleeping.

Etihad's A380 business class seat in lie-flat mode.

David Slotnick/Business Insider

There is no sliding door on Etihad, as seen in business class cabins in Qatar or Japan's All Nippon Airways, but there is a partition between the pair of seats in the center section for privacy.

Customers can also enjoy an 'anytime' dining menu that lets people eat on their own schedule.

The meal from a previous BI flight review in Etihad's A380 business class.

David Slotnick/Business Insider

The flexible dining plan can be useful on some early-morning or late-night flights, like Etihad's New York-bound A380 departure that leaves Abu Dhabi at around 3 a.m.

First class sits at the front of the upper deck and includes nine 'apartments.'

Etihad's first-ever A380 flight to the US, taken in 2015 at New York-JFK.

Etihad Airways

Carriers like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates have added grandiose first-class suites to their A380s as well, thanks to the mammoth size of the jet.

The apartments are like mini hotel rooms with sliding doors that come complete with a separate armchair and bed — similar to Singapore.

Apartment 5C on Etihad's A380.

M101Studio/Shutterstock

Singapore has a similar setup in its A380 first class, but the airline does not fly the superjumbo to JFK anymore.

Some cabins can be combined into one for two people to share, and the television swivels so it can be used from either the chair or the bed.

Two of Etihad's A380 apartments combined.

M101Studio/Shutterstock

The bed stretches nearly seven feet, so it'll be long enough for even the tallest travelers — and a convenient remote allows passengers to control the far-away television when lying down.

Also available to first-class flyers is fine dining, WiFi, power, storage, a luxe lavatory, and a standing shower.

Inside the first class apartment on Etihad's A380 at night.

First Class Photography/Shutterstock

First-class meals include high-dollar Champagnes, wines, steaks, and other gourmet food.

The shower is rare to see on airlines because of the costly extra weight of carrying the water.

Etihad shower.

Sam Huang/Insider

Emirates has its own shower spa onboard its Airbus A380s, while Singapore does not.

The latter has installed two giant lavatories with separate vanities in its upper deck first class.

Those with a first-class ticket can upgrade to Etihad's crown jewel, called The Residence, which is exclusive to its A380.

A butler used to be available for The Residence, but Etihad has since abandoned that perk.

Etihad

The Residence is an actual flying hotel room as it is the only three-room suite onboard a commercial jetliner. It is considered the cream of the crop for long-haul flying and goes beyond the typical first class.

"We had our first bookings within minutes of the announcement that the A380 was coming to New York," De told BI in December. "It's a famous experience, and there are plenty of people out there who want to sample it, either as a dream one-off or as part of their overall travel mix."

The completely private suite features a living room, a bedroom, and an ensuite bathroom with shower.

The Residence bathroom with a shower.

Etihad Airways via Getty Images

The 125-square-foot space is designed to accommodate up to two people thanks to the double couch and bed.

It's about as close as possible to flying on a private jet without the six-figure price tag. At launch, the route between NYC and Abu Dhabi cost $32,000 each way for either single or double occupancy, according to Etihad, but that has varied over the years.

It's nicer (and bigger) than some New York City apartments — and deep-pocketed travelers are willing to pay thousands for the sky penthouse.

The Residence cost $32,000 one-way at launch, and remained above $20,000 pre-pandemic, depending on the season and the route.

Etihad Airways via Getty Images

Looking on Etihad's website in December for a flight between New York and Abu Dhabi for mid-May, the A380 apartments were priced between roughly $9,000 and $10,000 each way, with another $3,000 per leg on top for the Residence, totaling about $24,000.

Searching again on Monday, it appears the Residence is already booked up on most days for May, as it cannot be added to first-class bookings. Apartments are going for between $5,000 and $8,000 now each way.

One thing Etihad keeps equal across all classes is a prayer room, with one located in each cabin.

Etihad Airways

SeatGuru shows a prayer room toward the front of the economy cabin, in the middle of business class, and right behind the last row of first. A curtain adds privacy.

Middle Eastern competitor Saudia also has a prayer room onboard its widebody planes.

Meanwhile, exclusive to just business and first class is access to an onboard bar and lounge.

The bar during a previous BI flight review on Etihad's A380 in 2020.

David Slotnick/Business Insider

The exclusive space sits on the upper deck between the two premium cabins and is a place to socialize, work, and stretch your legs.

The sitting area has a coffee table and television, while a bar is available with drinks and snacks.

The bar during a previous BI flight review on Etihad's A380 in 2020.

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Emirates and Qatar also offer a similar bar for premium passengers flying on their A380s.

Premium passengers can also enjoy perks like chauffeur service in Abu Dhabi and express airport check-in and lounge access before flying.

The Etihad Business Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi.

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Business and first-class passengers can access luxe airport lounges in other cities outside Abu Dhabi, including in New York-JFK.

Etihad's return to NYC signals confidence in the A380 and its niche viability within the airline's strong hub-and-spoke network.

An Etihad Airways A380 over New York.

Etihad Airways

While many carriers have turned a cheek to the A380 due to high operating costs, Emirates, Singapore, Qatar, and Etihad, as well as a handful of other Asian and European airlines, all continue to fly the A380.

"We are entering a new phase of sustainable growth to meet the demands of our customers, and the A380 is the right aircraft to meet capacity demands on very select routes," De told BI. "We brought it back on our London services earlier this year, and saw tremendous commercial success, with guests loving the experience."

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