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In the before times, the Etihad Apartments were considered one of the best first-class products in the world. However, to the dismay of many travelers, the pandemic seemed to kill off the Etihad Airbus A380… or so we thought.
Despite Etihad executives casting doubt on the aircraft's return, the Etihad A380 began flying passengers once again starting this month. And now we have even better news to share: The fabled Etihad Apartments product is not only bookable with miles — but award availability is wide open with up to two saver seats available per flight!
Etihad Apartments Award Availability
Currently, Etihad has only scheduled its Airbus A380 aircraft on one route. And that's the big catch with this availability. For now, you'll need to fly Etihad between Abu Dhabi and London to fly in the Etihad Apartments.
After a multi-year drought, any Etihad Apartments award availability would be welcome news. But what makes this availability even more special is that it's available for two passengers on many dates.
For example, in December 2023, only three days don't have availability for two passengers in Etihad Apartments from Abu Dhabi to London.
That sets this award availability apart from the past when we might see one saver award seat available at a time.
Why the Etihad Apartments Are Worth Booking
Put simply, the Etihad Apartments are like no other cabin in the skies. The Etihad first-class cabin is located at the front of the upper deck of Etihad's A380, and there's just one suite on either side of the aisle! Suites alternate between having the seat by the window or closer to the aisle. So, pick your seat carefully if you want a window view.
Each Etihad Apartment has a massive “captain's chair” plus a long bench that converts into a full-length 79-inch bed. You have a large 24-inch screen to get lost in a movie, a personal mini-bar of non-alcoholic drinks, and full-size suite doors to close when you want some privacy.
Plus, you can experience the over-the-top luxury of showering in the skies. Just make sure to book your preferred shower appointment with the crew before takeoff.
I've only had the experience of flying Etihad Apartments once. Unfortunately, it was a flight review for another site, so I can't share photos from my experience. But, I jumped on this award space to book a flight for my wife and me to fly the Etihad Apartments together this November!
How to Book Etihad Apartments Award Availability
Travelers have two main options for booking this Etihad Apartments award availability: American Airlines AAdvantage or Etihad Guest. Air Canada Aeroplan would be another top choice for booking this route. However, Aeroplan isn't showing any of this award availability online.
Here's the award pricing for the nonstop flight between Abu Dhabi and London:
- American Airlines: 62,500 AAdvantage miles
- Air Canada: 65,000 Aeroplan points — if you're able to book over the phone
- Etihad: ~140,000 Etihad Guest miles
American Airlines AAdvantage
The cheapest way to book this Etihad Apartments award availability is through American Airlines. However, there are a couple of downsides to booking through AAdvantage.
First, AAdvantage miles are hard to accumulate. If you don't already have a stash on hand, you'll need to transfer points from Bilt Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy to AAdvantage to book.
Secondly, you won't be able to book these awards online. Instead, you'll need to call American Airlines and book through a phone agent. Even worse, American Airlines agents in the U.S. aren't able to see all Etihad Apartments award availability. If you have trouble getting a U.S.-based agent to find and book an option, you can try one of American Airlines' overseas call centers.
With that said, it may be worth the hassle. Booking through AAdvantage lets you connect onward anywhere in Europe and/or the Middle East for no additional mileage cost. Or, you can fly between the Indian Subcontinent and Europe for the same 62,500 AAdvantage miles cost.
Air Canada Aeroplan
Aeroplan would likely be the best option for many travelers. But, Aeroplan currently isn't showing any Etihad premium cabin award space online. You may be able to book an award over the phone. However, when I tried the Aeroplan call center, my call was auto-disconnected as the wait time is too long.
If you're able to find a way to book Etihad Apartments through Aeroplan, the good news is that Aeroplan points are easy to accumulate. Travelers can transfer points to Aeroplan from:
- American Express Membership Rewards (1:1)
- Capital One Miles (1:1)
- Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
- Bilt Rewards (1:1)
- Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus for transferring at least 60,000 Bonvoy points)
Using Aeroplan's slightly-adjusted distance-based award chart, you can fly within the Atlantic region for up to 4,000 miles for the 65,000-point cost. Since Abu Dhabi to London is 3,432 miles, you can connect onward for up to 568 miles for no additional points.
That's not far, but it puts other Middle Eastern destinations in play. For example, book London through Abu Dhabi to Muscat, Oman for the same 65,000 Aeroplan points rate.
Etihad Guest
Last, and certainly least, you can book this Etihad Apartments award availability through Etihad Guest. However, both the mileage and out-of-pocket cost are much higher. After Etihad's recent devaluation, you'll need to pay around 140,000 Etihad Guest miles each way, plus around $542 in taxes and fees from London to Abu Dhabi or $275 in taxes and fees from Abu Dhabi to London.
Which Etihad Apartments Seats to Book to Fly Together
The unique part of this Etihad Apartments award availability is that you can book two passengers on the same flight. That makes it ideal for those that want to travel together as a couple.
Etihad Apartments are designed to provide privacy. So, they're generally best for solo travelers. But, there are two sets of apartments that are ideal for couples. The divider between rows 3 and 4 can be lowered to create a shared space. While it's not a full-size double bed — like you'll find in Singapore Suites or Qsuite — it will give you the ability to sleep next to your partner.
To book this experience, select seats 3A and 4A or seats 3K and 4K
Bottom Line
We are thrilled to see the Etihad Apartments returning to the skies — and even more thrilled to see award availability wide open for two passengers. To take advantage of this award availability, most readers will need to fly to/from Europe. However, it can certainly be worth doing so for such a unique experience!
Are you booking this Etihad Apartments award availability?
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Can the residence be booked with aeroplan. ?
Unfortunately, The Residence is only bookable through Etihad Guest. No partners have access to booking that cabin.
Noooooo I wish I’d seen this when the space was live the other day! Found space that worked for us but repeatedly tried to check out on AA.com and couldn’t get it to ticket – I didn’t realize it had to be done over the phone!
For under 3 hours? Is it worth it to anyone but a travel writer?
Which flight are you looking at? Flights between Abu Dhabi and London are between 6:50 hours and 7:25 hours.
Can you get a complimentary airport transfer service with this redemption?
Unfortunately not – unless you have qualifying Etihad Guest elite status.