Best Of The Best 2019 - Asia

Airline that makes you look forward to long-haul flights

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The Residence, Etihad Airways

IT HAS BEEN five years since its inception – giving competitors plenty of time to come up with their own game plan – but little has been done to dethrone Etihad Airways’ The Residence as the leading first class choice for long-haul flights.

Quite simply a presidential suite in the skies, The Residence is the world’s only three-room suite on a commercial airline that will have you wishing your journey would last that bit longer.

Located on the upper deck of the Airbus A380, it features a private living room, separate bedroom and en-suite shower.

Privacy is what you’re paying for here. Unlike other first class options that the world’s top airlines have – which see butlers checking in on you every now and then – after the welcome tour of your suite, you’ll be left to relax and be on your own for most of the journey, unless you request for service.

Nothing much has changed since it first launched, yet guests are continuously raving about the airline. Which just goes to show, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Enjoy a fine-dining meal, take a nap in the bedroom – a Duxinia double bed with Italian linen awaits – and freshen up in the adjoining bathroom that comes with a full-height shower and vanity unit stocked with Acqua di Parma amenities and personalised monogrammed bathrobes. You won’t be feeling the chill in there as the bathroom comes with heated flooring.

What’s next for The Residence? Perhaps massage chairs or an in-flight masseuse, but until then, we’ll still be looking forward to journeying on board.