We 'survived' our first shower on a plane. Having had dinner with a friend from Shrewsbury School in Gaggan in Bangkok, who had flown in the First Class 'Apartment' on Etihad Airways, where you have a 'living room' and use of a shower on the plane, I decided I had to try their A380.
| Limo to Heathrow The 'free' Etihad Airways limousine picked us up from The Dorchester just before 10am. Muhammad was the driver/owner of the Mercedes and a pleasure to chat with. The journey to Heathrow is so much easier than to JFK. At Heathrow the dedicated Etihad Airways First Class check-in was not open but the Economy check-in guy we got was great. The Terminal 4 Fast Track security was slow, with intense scrutiny of bags for liquids & explosives. The First Class & Business Class Lounge In the First Class & Business Class lounge reception showed me around and I went to make an appointment for a shoulder massage in the Six Senses Spa. Unlike with the British Airways Elemis Spa, appointments were easy to get. I then had a glass of champagne, using the WiFi. My shoulder & back massage was undertake by Nicole and slow to start but became excellent. After this I moved to the A La Carte dining area to try their lunch menu. My mezze and then chicken breast were uninspiring and I left most of it. The A380 Boarding of the A380 was quick and well-handled. My First Class 'Apartment' was as stunning as I expected. The only problem was I was backward facing. I was 'oriented' around my 'Apartment' with its vanity closet, mini bar etc by charming Karim. After take-off I got a glass of vintage Bollinger before looking at the cocktail list and finding I could get a Grey Goose martini. There were problems with the WiFi and, when it did work, I was shocked to find you have to pay for it in First Class. With it not working, I watched Adele: Live in Concert in London. Etihad Airways have a rather limited range of TV and movies when compared to British Airways or Qatar Airways. Lunch started with an amuse bouche and then marinated prawns. After a sorbet, it was a medium rare rib-eye steak with mashed potatoes, the chips on the menu were not available, and Béarnaise sauce. I ended with Scotch whisky and a double espresso. During lunch I watched 'Everest' - which had me near tears - my brother was right about that 'must see' movie. Once the WiFI started to work again I paid for it and spent some time working on www.sifrew.com. Shower on the Plane Towards the end of the flight Karim prepared the shower for us. The shower room is small but I was impressed by the water pressure. You get 5 minutes of water but can stop and start the water, while you lather up etc. It was a really fun experience to have a shower in the air. I ended the flight chatting to Karim (F&B Manager) and Paula (Cabin Manager). They are both excellent members of staff and lots of fun to talk to. Abu Dhabi International Airport It was rather a shock to be treated like cattle on arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport and the Etihad Airways Premium Lounge I am currently in looks more like a refugee centre. 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻 (5 out of 5 ‘teddies’) - Etihad Airways only started flying in 2003 and I was impressed as soon as I learnt about their hotel pick up. The crew on the A380 (especially Karim) could not do enough for you and the First Class 'Apartment' has to be seen to be believed. All this, and the shower on the plane, meant they did not drop a 'teddy' for charging for WiFi in First Class. My tips: remember to book the 'free' hotel pick up, and drop off, 48 hours before you fly, ask for a forward facing 'Apartment' and try the shower. |  Muhammad's Mercedes, the same blue lighting inside that Four Seasons arranged for us in New York at New Year. An incredible way to get to Heathrow.   The lunch menu in the Etihad Airways First & Business Class lounge at Heathrow.  The Etihad Airways lounge at Heathrow is a bit tired but the dining area is OK.  The bathrooms in the Etihad Airways lounge are First Class.  The impressive view of the 'Apartments', going down to the stairs, on the A380.  A note welcoming you to Etihad Airways A380 First Class is a nice touch.  First Class 'Apartment' 3K, with Issy & Edouard waiting for me. No overhead storage bins, your carry-on goes under the ottoman, means high ceilings and the ottoman becomes an 80 inch long, & 26 inch wide, bed.  The 'vanity closet' in the 'Apartment' puts regular wash bags to shame.  Once in the air it was vintage Bollinger with some mouthwatering warm vegetable chips.  I was not keen on the first page of the First Class menu but was then thrilled to find a grill menu on the second page.  Yes, I could get a Grey Goose martini in the air, there is a god!  The cocktail list made me think about Houston, Texas last year, with French 75s offered with vintage Bollinger.  Chicken with chilli oil, note the salt & pepper shakers. The most beautiful I have seen on a plane.  Marinated prawns with quinao (a grain) & wakame (a sea vegetable) saiad with red pepper sauce. The prawns were too chilled but it was Ok.  Grapefruit sorbet to cleanse your palate.  Felipe the chef actually managed to make this US rib-eye steak medium rare.  Nothing like a Glenlivet with ice, & a double espresso, to make you appreciate First Class travel.  www.sifrew.com never sleeps. OK, I may sleep on my Abu Dhabi to Ho Chi Minh City flight. |
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