The airlines based in the UAE are trying to outdo each other in offering the most luxurious environment and service to their first class passengers. Etihad Airways has created ‘The Residence’ which is a tree room private suite complete with bathroom, bedroom and lounge, in their first class section on new Airbus A380s. They are backing it with truly five star service as their elite customers will be serviced by the world’s first flying butlers. Worsley-born crew manager Richard Burrows is now set to be the world’s first flying butler and will cater to every need of the affluent passengers occupying the hotel suite style cabins.
Etihad is not taking any chances and is not willing to compromise on the level of service they offer to the elite luxury travelers. They have specially trained a team of 13 butlers for this specialized service. Two others apart from Richard in the team are from UK. All the team members are proud to have met the airline’s exacting standards and are determined to do their best to deliver tailored and exclusive service to customers who will be paying top dollars to travel in this luxurious environment at 40,000 feet. The Residence will become the most expensive seat sold by a commercial airline. Passengers will have to pay £12,500 each way for the privilege of occupying the Residence on Etihad’s A380.
The exclusivity of the service available to the luxury travelers will not end with the service of a butler the food served to them will also be prepared by a gourmet chef. The team of butlers are fully prepared and eagerly waiting for the inaugural flight which has been scheduled for December 27 to take off from UAE for Heathrow. The had picked team of butlers have gone through a grueling three week Savoy Hotel training course to hone their existing skills. Sean Davoren, the head butler of Savoy Hotel had personally supervised the training program and is confident that the team now possesses the skills required to provide the highest standard of hospitality. If you are travelling by that inaugural flight in December you can check it out yourself.
