Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Lounge at LAX Review

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge at LAX is located in Terminal 2 and it’s one of my favorite airport lounges I’ve stopped at to date. It’s a small but beautiful lounge with great cocktails, decent entrees, and a passionate and attentive staff. Here’s my Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX review.

Finding the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX Terminal 2

We easily found the lounge a little after we went through TSA Pre-Check at Terminal 2. Look for the illuminated staircase and then walk your way up the stairs and you’ll see a sign pointing you directly to the Clubhouse — you can’t miss it.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse entrance at LAX Terminal 2.

This area of the terminal was recently renovated and it’s a pretty stunning sight.

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LAX Terminal 2.

After we strolled up to the entrance, the receptionist met us with a warm greeting and within seconds, we entered the lounge.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse entrance.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse entrance.

There had been a number of cancellations out of LHR due to snow and our Virgin Atlantic flight 24 had been delayed for over an hour. Due to the delay, we had a total of about four hours to spend at the lounge, which actually passed pretty quickly thanks in large part to the never-ending cocktail selection.

I should note that while this is a Priority Pass lounge, admission is limited to certain hours. Also Priority Pass guests do not get the full selection of hot menu items or cocktails so the Priority Pass experience will differ a lot from the experience below.

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Priority Pass hours for the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX Lounge

Upon entering, I noticed how chic all of the furniture and lounge decor was. There was nothing “boring” about this lounge and I could quickly tell that I’d be enjoying my time at the Clubhouse.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse entrance.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse entrance.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse entrance.

The first part of the Clubhouse lounge has comfy seating in the form of long couches with plenty of multi-colored pillows that emphasize the modern look. There are some small tables as well, which all come with menus for your convenience.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX seating.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX seating.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX seating.
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The seating options come with bright colors.

In addition to the couches, there are several swanky chairs you can choose for your seating options if you’re not into sharing a couch with others.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX.

The walls are lined with seating options that look out to the taxiways. It’s mostly Delta and Southwest jets that you’ll be viewing but you also get views as far as the LA skyline and the Hollywood Hills.

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View from the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX.
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View from the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX.
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View from the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX.

As you move more inside the lounge, the seating transitions into more dining-friendly tables and chairs.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse dining seating.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse dining seating.

At the very end of the lounge, there’s a semi-private booth area with a soothing LCD display. I wanted to snag that area but there was a gentleman there before we arrived and he never moved an inch so we had to admire it from afar.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse dining seating.

Eventually we chose one of the tables seen below for our dining experience. There were no outlets near our table, though you can see that one of the other tables did have outlets near it.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse dining seating.

The bar is also located in the middle of the lounge.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX bar.

Beside the bar is an area with chips, cookies, and water. (The cookies are soft, chewy, and amazing.)

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse snack area.

The bathroom is also nearby, just around the corner.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX bathroom.

Overall, it’s not the largest lounge but there are a lot of seating options. Considering that they limit access for Priority Pass members when Virgin Atlantic flights are set, I don’t think overcrowding will be a major issue. I will say that about 1.5 hours before departure, the lounge filled up and there were very few empty seats in the lounge so I strongly recommend arriving early to lockdown a preferred seat.

The dining experience at the Clubhouse

We decided to go ahead and grab a table in the portion of the lounge dedicated to dining. Within seconds we were greeted by Andy, a passionate server who most frequenters to this lounge have probably have met in the past. He was excellent in every respect and his passion for serving was infectious and greatly appreciated.

We chatted it up with him for a while and decided to let him serve up some different cocktails to get our lounge experience started.

He started by bringing us the Mediterranean, which is a fresh cocktail that comes with Grey Goose, Lillet Blanc, Singani 63, Aperol, strawberry, lemon juice, and seltzer. It’s a great starter drink. They also brought out some chips and spiced nuts to snack on.

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The Mediterranean

The next drink was the Bramble, which was another great starter drink that came with Bombay Sapphire Gin, blackberries, lemon juice, and blackberry liqueur. I really enjoyed this cocktail as did Brad.

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The Bramble.

At this point, we started to work up an appetite and ordered one of the starters, the salmon poke bowl. The poke bowl was absolutely delicious and both me and Brad agreed it was one of the best dishes we’d been served in any of the lounges we’d visited over the past couple of weeks.

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The salmon poke bowl.

Our server then surprised us with another drink called the Reckoning, which was a strong rum and punch that came in a formidable Tiki-inspired mug. It took me back to our trips to the Caribbean and was delicious, although by this point I was barely finishing half of my drinks before moving on to the next round.

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The Reckoning.

We then decided to order main entrees. I went with the Clubhouse burger and Brad tried out the tagliatelle. These dishes were not quite on par with the poke bowl but were still decent.

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The Clubhouse burger.
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The tagliatelle.

During our entrees, our server brought out another beverage which he touted as one of the top signature cocktails of the lounge. This was the Beach Bonfire. It came with Bourbon, aged Cachaca, pineapple, gum syrup, Angostura and Bitterman’s Chocolate Mole Bitters, fresh hickory smoke, along with a shorty of pilsner. I absolutely loved this drink!

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The Beach Bonfire.

To cap things off, our serve brought us out a serving of the donuts which were very good as well.

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Dessert.

After finishing up dessert, our server decided to bring us our yet another cocktail. At this point, I wasn’t even coming close to finishing up all of the drinks but decided to just roll with it and try out as many different drinks as possible.

This drink was the Virgin Redhead which came with some bubbly and Sapphire Gin.

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The Virgin Redhead.

After all of these drinks and entrees, we’d passed over three hours in the lounge and it was nearly time to board. Thankfully, our flight had not been cancelled though it’d been delayed over a 1.5 hours. Still, we happily made our way down to our gate (which was only a couple of minutes away) and boarded the aircraft bound for snowy London.

The menus

Below is the full menu for the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX as of March 2018.

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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX menu.

Final Word

Overall, this lounge experience was a departure from the norm. I don’t think I could handle every lounge experience being like this (with the never ending cocktails) but this was a fun instance to enjoy some indulgence. Having a passionate and personable server made the experience that much more memorable and I’d have to rate this lounge experience as one of the best I’ve had in recent memory.

Photos of New United Lounge at Houston Intercontinental (IAH) Terminal C

United opened up a newly refreshed lounge at Terminal C (North) this summer with a fresh new look and feel from the other United lounges and I recently got the chance to check it out. Note: I don’t typically do “lounge reviews” but I figured I’d share some of my photos here and initial impressions of the lounge.

Where is the new United Lounge?

The new lounge is located near Gate 1 at Terminal C and is open from 5:30 am to 9:00 pm. 

IAH is one of my favorite airports not just because I’m from Houston but because you can easily make your way between terminals both pre and post security. On this trip I arrived through Terminal E and quickly made my way to Terminal C in about 10 to 15 minutes (slow walkers might take closer to 20 minutes).

As soon as you enter the lounge you’ll notice the mood lighting through the blue-tinted doors.

New United Lounge at IAH Terminal C.

There are two different check-in desks, one at the main entrance and another on the other side of the lounge. The staff at the main entrance were very polite and professional much like those I often interact with at American Express Centurion Lounges.

New United Lounge at IAH Terminal C.

The interior boasts new stylish lighting and an open layout, which makes the lounge much more appealing and modern. When I arrived around 6:30 am, the lounge had pretty minimal traffic, although when I left at around 8:00 am (on a Friday), the lounge had become very packed throughout.

New United Lounge at IAH Terminal C.

Unlike the Centurion Lounge at IAH, there’s not a lot of variety in the seating (e.g., no cubbies, chaise lounges, etc.). Outside of the few sleek seats, all seats are pretty much standard and come equipped with power outlets, USB ports, and lamps. While the lounge is very open, I found the corner pictured below to be one of the few semi-private areas of the lounge.

New United Lounge at IAH Terminal C.
United Lounge at IAH Terminal C seating with outlets.

The seats pretty comfortable and you have a decent view of the tarmac, although since it’s Terminal C you’re not going to see a lot of the interesting planes from international carriers.

New United Lounge at IAH Terminal C.
New United Lounge at IAH Terminal C.

Towards the corner of the lounge where we sat there was a flight schedule screen and a table with stools for laptop users.

New United Lounge at IAH Terminal C.

This is also the side where the bathroom is and a few phone rooms. The bathroom was very nice and well-kept but note that the phone rooms are not noise-proof. I could easily hear people chatting and doors slamming while inside. There are no showers in this United lounge (I don’t think any United Club’s currently have them at IAH) and also no family rooms.

New United Lounge at IAH Terminal C.

On the other side of the lounge closer to the bar and food areas there’s another longer row of bar stools.

United Lounge at IAH Terminal C seating.

There are some comfy booth-style seats close to the bar, which also have small tables and different style chairs. Staff members roamed the lounge to check on guests and take away dirty dishes but they didn’t seem overly attentive to guests, so you may need to flag them down if you want to ask them for their services.

United Lounge at IAH Terminal C bar area.

The bar area felt like a Centurion Lounge bar to me. I loved the new lighting design and set-up and thought that it looked very elegant, and noticeably more chic than other United Club lounges. The bar opens up at 7am, which I believe is much earlier than the Centurion Lounge.

United Lounge at IAH Terminal C bar area.

Basic beers and liquors are complimentary at the lounge but you’ll have to pay for certain imports and for premium liquors, cocktails, and fine wines, with prices starting at around $5.

United Lounge at IAH Terminal C bar area.

As a point of comparison, here’s another United Club Lounge bar at IAH (I can’t remember which terminal I took that photo at). To me these looks much more old-fashioned.

United Club Lounge bar at IAH.

The food options for breakfast were very standard. They offered a mixture of fruits (cantaloupe, blueberries, etc.), yogurt, granola, muffins, pastries, breads, cereals, and one of those nice Coke machines that allow you to choose all sorts of different Coke products. I believe the lounges are now offering more lunch options with things like new salads, soups, and other offerings.

Breakfast items at the United Club.

United is currently working on rolling out several new Polaris lounges worldwide. They’ve already opened one up at Chicago (ORD) and have plans to open eight additional lounges at the following airports: Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles International, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles, Hong Kong, London Heathrow and Tokyo Narita. I’m excited to see the new Polaris Lounge and also hope to more refreshed lounges at IAH.

Review: Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class

This flight was the first leg of our round the world trip where we flew in some of the top premium cabins, including the Etihad Apartment and Singapore Suites over the course of about a three week span. After flying in from Houston to Los Angeles, our trip really kicked off at the LAX Star Alliance Business Class Lounge. It’s one of the nicest lounges in the country in my opinion and comes with a cool two-sided bar that serves up a little of everything.

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Star Alliance Business Class Lounge bar at LAX.

It’s a big lounge with both an indoor and outdoor terrace and even a TV/movie room, so there’s plenty of options for you to relax in. The indoor terrace overlooks the shops in the terminal and there’s a good amount of seating outfitted with power outlets, too.

Star Alliance Business Class Lounge indoor terrace.
Star Alliance Business Class Lounge indoor terrace.

We opted to plane spot from the outdoor terrace for most of the time and while the plane spotting is a bit limited, it still felt amazing to soak up some of the California sunshine as we awaited boarding. The outdoor lounge was almost completely empty, aside from one other guest, but I’m sure it can be a lively spot when the bar is open and there’s a bit more traffic.

Star Alliance Business Class Lounge outdoor bar and terrace.

The route

We flew the 11.5 hour flight from LAX to NRT (SQ 11) on the A380 but this route is now served by the 777 and unfortunately the only Singapore Airlines route flying the A380 from the US is the route out of JFK to FRA -> SIN.

The cabin

We were among the first passengers to board our cabin and found our seats in the front portion of the upper deck. On the A380, the entire second deck consists of 86 business class seats in a 1-2-1 formation although some versions also come with one section of economy in the very back (2-4-2). It’s a cool set-up to have a full deck of business class and on this flight, I’d say the business class cabin had to only be 50% full, if that.

Within seconds of seating we were given our hot towels and champagne glasses and I took a look around.

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Singapore A380 Business Class champagne.

The first thing you’ll likely notice about Singapore business class is that the seats are really  wide. To me, they almost look like living room recliners.

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Singapore A380 Business Class seats.

They’re listed as 30″ wide but they felt even wider than that. (The business class seats on the A350 are two inches narrower.)

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Singapore A380 Business Class cabin.

While I loved how wide the seats were, I couldn’t help but think that the seats looked a bit dated. The dark brown and tan coloring along with the turquoise pillows isn’t bad but the exterior of the seats just looked a bit bland to me.

Singapore A380 Business Class

For example, if you compare them to the newer Singapore A350 business class seats, I think there’s a huge gap in the sleekness factor happening.

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Singapore Business Class on the smaller A350.

In any event, the seats are still extremely comfortable and you’ll have more room than you know what to do with, which is pretty much all that matters on a plane.

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Huge seats on the A380.

Each business class seat is outfitted with a 15.4″ LCD monitor and equipped with a great in flight entertainment system with just about everything you’d expect. The LCD screens have somewhat of a privacy glass feature, which is nice when you’re seated in the middle section.

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Singapore A380 Business Class 15.4″ LCD monitor.

You’ll also find a panel with a universal power outlet and two USB ports, along with a small shelf to put all of your belongings in.

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Singapore A380 Business Class power outlets.

There are overhead storage bins you can use but they probably won’t be able to store your larger belongings. Instead, you may have to put your carry-on items beneath the footwell. Personally, I loved having quick access to both of my bags down there but I’ve read a few complaints from others about their luggage getting in the way. Perhaps they stored some very large bags?  

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Singapore A380 Business Class cabin.

I think my only complaint with the seat is the limited foot room in the cubby. For as much wide open space you have for your upper body, it just feels odd to have such a small cubby for your feet.

Singapore A380 Business Class

I’m sure some people don’t have complaints over the space but for me it was just a tad bit small, although it didn’t affect me that much when sitting or reclining.

Singapore A380 Business Class

To avoid that issue you can always book a seat in the bulkhead row for maximum legroom. We did this on the A350 and had plenty of wide open room for our feet, as seen below. I highly recommend doing this, and I’ll definitely be sticking to the bulkhead seats with any future flights with Singapore Airlines business class.

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Singapore Business Class A350 bulkhead row.

The seats provide you with some decent privacy but it’s mostly because they are so spread out and straight-facing, since the sides of the seats don’t extend that far out like they do on the A350. We didn’t have any neighbors to our left or right, so it felt like we had maximum privacy.

Singapore A380 Business Class

Dining

Singapore Airlines is known for offering a great dining experience and they lived up to the expectations on this flight.

The appetizers brought out were marinated prawn and parma ham with vegetables.

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Singapore A380 Business Class appetizers.

Brad went with a nice glass of red wine.

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Singapore A380 Business Class dining.

And I went with the “Singapore Sling,” which is a  gin-based cocktail created in Singapore back in 1915 and a must-try when flying with Singapore Airlines.  It comes with dry gin, DOM Bénédictine, orange liqueur, cherry brandy, lime and pineapple juice, and a dash of Angostura bitters and Grenadine. It packs quite the punch, so be sure to respect it!

(In case you wondering, too, a “sling” was originally an American drink with spirits, water, and flavorings.)

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Singapore Sling.

Rolls were also brought out along with butter and olive oil.

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Singapore A380 Business Class dining.

And then the main dish: braised chicken in morel mushroom sauce with a side of fried rice and Chinese greens. This was an excellent dish and rich in flavor, likely due to the mushroom sauce which is known to enhance flavors while flying at high altitudes.

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Singapore A380 Business Class dining.

And to cap things off for dessert I went with Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, which was my first time trying out this well-known ice cream. Some times simpler is better, and I enjoyed the dessert.

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Singapore A380 Business Class dessert.

What I liked about the meal was that it was mostly healthy-ish items, so I didn’t feel over-stuffed by the end of dinner. All too often, I eat a carb-heavy dish or load up on one too many appetizers, but on this flight the meals were light and reasonably portioned, so I felt much better after taking my last bite.

The service

I’d like to add that the service on this flight was phenomenal. The attentiveness and attitudes of the flight attendants were among the best I’ve ever experienced and only slightly surpassed by my experience flying first class on Singapore Suites (which we flew a few days later). Later on, on my flight in business class from SIN to JNB on board the A350, the service was not as great, however, so I don’t know if it was the route or the aircraft, but the staff blew me away with how professional they were.

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Exceptional service in Singapore business class.

Turn down service

Singapore business class seats are interesting because the seats don’t recline into a bed like many other seats do. Instead, they fold down and then the bed is made on top of the back of the seat. Some people like this since lie-flat seats don’t always offer you a true smooth surface to get comfortable on but others find it a bit annoying since you can’t recline all the way and you have to completely redo your seat when you want to sit up.

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Singapore A380 Business Class turn down service.

You can still prop yourself up using the two pillows and sit up and be reasonably comfortable, though. I did that for a substantial portion of the journey and didn’t have any issues.

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Singapore A380 Business Class turn down service.

These seats are so wide that it’s very easy to get comfortable on. I sleep on my stomach and pretty much can’t fall asleep any other way so I’m always thrilled when a business class or first class seat gives me enough room to get comfortable in a natural position.

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Comfortable blanket and pillows.

Dining round 2

The second round of meals served just before touch down were more interesting. The first dish was a “Salmon Trilogy” with gravadlax, hot and cold salmon with cucumber salad and herb dressing. Wasn’t quite the breakfast food I was imagining but since we were arriving in the evening I guess it made more sense.

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Singapore A380 Business Class dining.

Next came the tavern pork burger with manchego cheese. I try to avoid meats late into a flight and rarely eat pork, so I was kind of reluctant to choose this dish. However, I thought it would be more hearty than the chicken noodle soup. To my surprise, the burger was one of the best dishes of the flight and actually tasted fresh.

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Tavern pork burger.

And then finally, it was time for one last hoo-rah with dessert. This one, a Bavarian cream dish, was a bit more fancy and rich than the Ben and Jerry’s but a perfect way to finish up the flight.

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Singapore A380 Business Class dessert.

Final word 

Singapore Airlines offers my favorite business class product. It’s partly due to the service and dining experience, but also due to the super-wide seats that allow for maximum comfort and space. I personally prefer the sleeker A350 seats (I also think they are found on the 777), but these seats on the A350 are even wider than those and it’s hard to find a business class product that can offer you so much space.

Singapore Suites vs Etihad Apartment: Which is Better?

Singapore Suites and the Etihad Apartment are typically ranked in the top two or three first class experiences available in the sky. I recently flew on both of these extravagant cabins as part of a round the world trip, where I got to freshin’ up in a shower on Etihad and down a little Dom Pérignon before getting some shut-eye on Singapore’s renown double bed. But how did these experiences compare to each other? Is it possible for one to outdo the other? Here’s a head to head comparison of my first class experiences with Singapore Suites vs. the Etihad Apartment. 

The first class cabins

Both cabins have their own unique appeal.

The Singapore Suites cabin is a bit more traditional, but very charming with its wood-grain panels, interior window shades, and sliding doors that all have a bit of a cozy train cabin feel to them.

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Singapore Suites first class cabin.

Some people think Singapore Suites look a little outdated since they have been around a while (since 2008), but I still think they’ve got a lot going on. There’s something about the design and the coloring of the cabin that just made me feel good when walking through it. It’s really a work of art.

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Ambient lighting on Singapore Airlines.

The Etihad Apartment cabin comes with a bit more mystique. The apartments — lining just a single aisle — are more concealed, and the mystical boarding music playing as you enter along with the mosaic lighting and decor almost put you into a spell as you marvel at the over-the-top luxuriousness of the cabin.

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Etihad Apartment first class cabin.
Etihad First Class Apartment
Ceiling lights on the Etihad Apartment cabin.

Excluding the Residence, there are only 9 first class suites on board the Etihad A380, while there are 12 suites on board Singapore. When I flew them, our Etihad cabin was full (minus the Residence) and there were only 2 others on board our first class cabin but both experiences felt almost the same in terms of quietness and traffic (although I did have to wait on the lavatory with Etihad more).

In the end, I’d pick Etihad’s cabin over Singapore’s just because I felt the Etihad cabin felt a bit more high-class and intriguing.

The suites

The Seating

In terms of appearance, both of the seats and seating areas of the suites are superb, boasting high-quality full grain leather seats, which are as comfy as they are nice to look at. The color scheme and arrangement of the seats are also pleasing to the eyes, and the tray tables on each are huge and easily accessible and stored (once you get the hang of it). I do somewhat prefer Singapore’s table that comes out of the desk versus the table that folds out of the arm rest on Etihad, as the former is a little easier to deal with.

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Singapore Suites seat.
Etihad Apartment A380
Etihad Apartment seat.

And of course, there’s plenty of leg room to be found on both.

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Singapore Suites leg room.
Etihad Apartment
Etihad Apartment leg room.

While both seats are top of the line luxurious, there are some key differences.

The Etihad Apartment seat has more of a “throne” feeling to it. I think it’s just as comfortable to sit in as the Singapore seat but the “grander” nature of the seat along with the bench or mini-sofa for a foot rest, puts more of a presidential stamp on the flying experience. In addition, the ultra-spacious set up just feels unlike anything else in existence right now, while the Singapore Suites still feel like you’re in a cabin… a really nice cabin, but still just a cabin.

With that said, if you’re flying with your partner and you really like to sit next to each other then Singapore Suites offer you more of what you’re looking for, as you’ll be able to talk directly to each other at all times without getting up out of your seat.

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Shared Singapore Suites.

When you’re sitting in the Apartment, even with the doors open and partition down, you have no direct view of anyone else. The walls and doors themselves don’t seclude you as much as the deep inlet that your seat sits in does. This is great if you’re looking for the ultimate level of privacy to keep those nosy passengers at bay but it also means that you won’t be spending time next to your partner.

Etihad First Class Apartment
No direct view of other passengers on the Etihad Apartment.

To me, the lack of direct access to your partner isn’t a very big deal. If it’s your romantic partner you’re flying with, you’ll be seeing them every second of every day probably while on your trip so what’s a few hours “away” from each other? Plus, you can still eat and sleep right next to each other while on the Apartment, so it’s not a deal breaker by any means.

So I’d say the Etihad Apartment boasts the better seat, but if I had to choose a winner for best seating arrangements for couples, I’d give it to Singapore.

Suite design and layout

The layout to the Singapore Suites is pretty simple and there’s nothing game-changing different about it (these days) other than the fact that it’s extremely spacious and beautifully designed. However, the simplicity of it is kind of what I like about it; it’s not over the top gaudy but more classic and cozy.

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Singapore Suites.

On the other hand, the layout to the Apartment is unlike any suite because it offers you your own mini-sofa along with a “vanity unit” so that your suite really does begin to feel like an apartment. In addition, you have the mini-bar, powered window shades, drawers, touch screens, and closet rack, all coming together in a highly fashionable and elegant way.

Etihad First Class Apartment
The Etihad Apartment with vanity mirror unit on display.

Personally, I prefer the Etihad Apartment design and layout over the Singapore Suites.

As stated before, the Etihad Apartment is simply unlike anything else and being in that suite just fills you with a certain kind of zen. The Singapore Suites are phenomenal as well, but they still retain a traditional cabin feel to them that, while ultra-luxurious and comfy, just doesn’t provide you with the same “I can’t believe I’m sitting here right now” feeling the Apartment does.

In-flight entertainment

As far the as the functions and entertainment go, I’d probably give the edge to Etihad again.

Singapore Suites First Class A380

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad 24-inch tv screen.

The tv’s are reportedly about the same size but Etihad’s felt much larger (maybe I just didn’t realize how much closer I was). Also, the swivel feature of the tv when you’re lying down on Etihad is brilliant. In terms of content, both offered all of the movies and tv shows you’d probably be interested in or expect to see but Etihad has the added bonus of having live tv (that worked very well), split-screen feature (don’t think Singapore has that), and also multiple cameras to view your A380 from the outside and see what’s in front and below you. So for entertainment/tv set-up, I’d go with Etihad. 

Service 

I feel like I’m really splitting hairs with this comparison since the service we received on both airlines was the best I’ve ever received… anywhere… doing pretty much anything.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Airlines service is unmatched.

However, because this is a comparison and I have to choose one, I’d give the nod to Singapore. I think it’s a little unfair to compare since the staff only had to tend to 4 people on my Singapore Airlines flight but Etihad was maxed out at 9. (Plus, I gave Singapore a heads up that I was doing a review and they seemed to have taken notice.)

But with that said, the service from the Singapore crew just felt a little more dedicated and seasoned. I really got the feeling what they wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever it was going to take to make the flight memorable for me. Even on our business class flights, the service was exceptional and beyond expectations. Singapore Airlines is known for their outstanding customer service and after a few flights on both business and first class, I have to agree with the general consensus: they are the best in service.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad attendant checking in on a passenger.

Dining

This comparison is a bit skewed toward Singapore since I had stuffed myself at the Etihad First Class Lounge before our flight and never really developed a full appetite to take on a full 3 or 4 course meal in-flight. With that in mind, I still think I enjoyed the food and beverages more on Singapore Airlines.

Between the caviar and Dom Pérignon, I had one of the most luxurious meals I’ve ever had on Singapore. Then throw an amazing chicken dish with a beautiful and tasty dessert in and it’s easy to see why Singapore won me over.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Caviar on Singapore Suites.
Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore dessert.

Etihad’s dining experience was still rock solid and they offered quality champagne and wines, too. One thing that I really love about Etihad is that the chef greets you personally and strikes up conversation with you, allowing you to inquire about different meals and dishes that you might prefer. While the individual attention was appreciated, I still think the quality on board Singapore was just a level above Etihad in both presentation and taste.

Etihad First Class Apartment

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad first class dessert.

Sleeping experience

Amenity kit

It’s always nice to receive free stuff, but I have to confess that I rarely ever actually use anything in an amenity kit. For Singapore we received: cologne, lip balm, after shave and in the bathroom there were toothbrushes with tooth paste, razors, and a few other things. On Etihad, we got razors, a toothbrush and tooth paste, and some lotions and oils. Both also offered sleep masks and slippers. I think I got more from the Singapore amenities kit as the fragrance by Ferragamo was amazing and we actually kept it and intend on using it.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Suites amenity kit

Pajamas

Both offer designer pajamas and both are very soft and comfortable. I think I preferred Etihad’s a little bit because they were a bit lighter and made it more comfortable for me to sleep, while Singapore’s baggy garments were pretty heavy and a bit warm for my liking.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Givenchy pajamas with Singapore Suites.

The beds

Amenity kits and pajamas are great, but we all know what really matters when it comes to sleeping is the bed.

Singapore Airlines is one of the only major commercial airlines that offers the option of sleeping on a full-sized double bed. This in itself is a pretty marvelous feat and one that makes Singapore Suites feel special and unique once the bed is made.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Airlines double bed.

For traveling duos on the Etihad Apartment, you’re able to lower the partition and “connect” half of your beds, so you feel like you’re sharing a bed, just not quite all the way. This arrangement is more comfortable and practical than it looks, as I felt like I had plenty of room on the bed, despite the beds appearing pretty narrow. The plus with Etihad is that if you want to get up from lying down and just sit in your seat and relax a bit, no problem.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad “double bed.”

I felt like the Singapore bed was more comfortable than Etihad’s but not by a long shot. I’m not sure if it was the mattress pad or the blankets, but I just felt more relaxed. It also helped that Singapore offered 3 pillows (versus the two offered by Etihad), since I’m somewhat of a pillow freak who likes to be surrounded by them when I sleep.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Suites’ cozy bed.

One thing I liked with Etihad was that the cabin was not nearly as warm as Singapore’s. The warmness made it a bit uncomfortable on board the Singapore A380, while the coolness of the Etihad cabin made it just perfect. This was honestly one of the only major knocks against Singapore during my flight. 

Despite the temperature issue, in the end, sleeping on a double bed on a plane (with no partition) is a novelty that Singapore executes with near perfection, so I give the edge to them.

Shower and lounge facilities

This one’s pretty easy, since Singapore has neither a shower nor a lounge.

While the “The Lobby” lounge on Etihad is a nice feature, it’s not a bar area like Emirates or Qatar, so it’s kind of “just there.” It’s cool to check out and maybe hang around in for a little while but that’s about it. Maybe one day they’ll convert it into a shisha bar and make it worth our while. 😉 

Etihad First Class Apartment
“The Lobby”

However, the shower is brilliant and is what puts the entire Apartment experience over the top, in my opinion. Taking a shower on a plane is really one of the coolest feelings I’ve experienced while traveling. It’s not only the fact of taking a shower on a plane that’s nice but the ability to freshen up just before landing just makes you feel so much better when you arrive to your destination, especially if you’re on a true long-haul flight. 

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad shower.

Finally, when it comes to the lavatories (minus the shower), Etihad still wins with its more spacious and more ornately designed bathroom. 

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Suites bathroom.
Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad First Class Apartment bathroom.

Final word 

Right now, the Etihad Apartment is in a class of its own. Its product is just unique and everything from the cabins to the decor is over-the-top gorgeous and the epitome of class. Singapore Suites is still a fantastic option, however. It offers you exceptional service and world-class dining to go along with beautifully designed suites and the opportunity to sleep on a double bed in the sky. You can’t go wrong with either but if I had to choose one, it would have to be the Etihad Apartment.  

 

Review of the Singapore Airlines First Class Suites Aboard the A380

The Singapore Airlines first class suites are consistently rated as one of top 5 first class experiences out of any airline in the world. They offer world-class dining and service along with elegantly designed cabins that come with unrivaled privacy and an opportunity to enjoy a full double bed while traveling. Here’s a review of my recent experience flying in Singapore Suites from NRT to SIN aboard the A380.  

The lounge experience 

My Singapore Suites experience started in Tokyo at the ANA First Class lounge in NRT.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
ANA First Class lounge in NRT

It’s a smaller lounge that had minimal traffic when I was there. They served mostly Eastern dishes, such as sushi and other seafood platters, though they also had an array of rolls, cheeses, and sandwiches to choose from. 

 ANA First Class lounge in NRT
ANA First Class lounge in NRT

We were able to relax and enjoy some champagne and soup and wash up in their very nice shower facilities.

 ANA First Class lounge in NRT
A pre-flight glass of champagne.
Singapore Suites First Class A380
Warm soup before a fresh shower.

After I finished up in the shower and changed I realized I didn’t have anything to fix my hair (huge problem, right?), so about 25 minutes before boarding we left the lounge to find some hair product, which almost turned out to be a fatal mistake!

My Singapore Suites experience almost ended before it started…

We found a duty free shop near our gate and I sampled some hair product that worked amazing but had a strong odor to it that smelled just like a lumber store. I didn’t want to go around with me head smelling like Home Depot, so I passed on buying the hair product and headed back to the gate for boarding.

After about 15 minutes of waiting at the gate, we were finally only minutes away from boarding. I started digging around my bag for my passport and boarding pass and that’s when it dawned on me, I couldn’t find either of them!

If you’ve ever misplaced something important at the airport, you know the drill…. everything comes out of the bags!

I was scrambling and going through all of my luggage contents but they were nowhere to be found and the thought of missing my Singapore Suites flight was putting me on the verge of a melt down of epic proportions. Forget the issues with being in a foreign country without a passport, all I could think about was not boarding that A380!

Then it clicked… I must have set them down when I was trying that stupid hair product or when I was in the ANA lounge. Thinking they’d be more at risk of being lost at the duty free store, we first ran back over to the store and asked the cashier if they found anything. She said no. So we scoured the entire store, going through every aisle, and then finally, there they were: my passport and my (literal) golden ticket sitting undisturbed on a random shelf!

With those in hand and my sanity slowing coming back to me, we ran back to the boarding gate and as soon as we arrived they started calling out for the Suites to board. It was time!

Singapore Suites First Class A380
The golden tickets!

Boarding

Singapore Suites First Class A380

As we entered the plane through the first class entrance, the first class flight staff lined the walls to the entrance and greeted Brad and I by name as if we were on a first-name basis and as if they already could recognize our faces. I knew right away that this would be a great flight. They guided us through the luxurious first class cabin and I got the first glimpse of my seat!

The luxurious style of the suite, designed by French luxury yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste, immediately blew me away. The leather, the wood-grain, the arm chair, the space, everything! It was especially nice being in the interior cabin where our private space was essentially doubled. 

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Airlines first class suites.

After making it to our seats, the staff wasted no time in asking us for our drink preference.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Drink menu

Of course, I had to go with Dom Perignon (2006). Little did I know, I’d actually had Dom before at my brother’s wedding (not sure if it was the same type), but both Brad and I enjoyed the taste of Dom and preferred it as our type of on-board champagne and had a few rounds of it to get our flight started. I’m not a big drinker these days but put me on a plane and bring me some top-shelf champagne, and I’ll definitely knock back some glasses. 

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Dom Perignon (2006) on board Singapore Airlines.

After getting our drinks they came around with magazines and newspapers and I snagged my usual, NatGeo.

Singapore Suites First Class A380

Singapore Suites First Class A380

Once settled in, I scoped out all of the features of the suite. The suites have a 23-inch LCD tv, which while not exactly a game changer in size, is still perfect for your viewing purposes inside the suite. The in-flight entertainment is solid, offering plenty of new movies and tv shows. 

Singapore Suites First Class A380

You can store your carry-on luggage underneath your footrest, where you should have plenty of room to store it as well as plenty of room to extend your legs and relax. Just to your left, you’ll find outlets to charge all of your electronics. 

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Legroom is not an issue on board these suites.

Singapore provides you with noise-cancelling Bose headphones which are top of the line and reminded me why I need to get me another pair since they are perfect for flying.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Bose headphones.

They also provide you with a designer amenity kit by Salvatore Ferragamo, which includes a designer bag, lip balm, after shave, and cologne. I’m still in love with the Ferragamo cologne and to be honest may have found me a new “scent” to replace my Burberry Brit Rhythm which I’ve had for some time now.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Designer amenity kit by Salvatore Ferragamo

The pajamas, which are made by designer Givenchy, come in a nice storage pouch.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Storage pouch for the pajamas.

Since this was a late flight, I decided to go ahead and change into the pjs before we ate so that I’d be able to get some rest straight away after dinner, so I went off to the bathroom to change.

The bathroom is nice like you’d expect for a first class cabin but nothing too overwhelming or game changing. I do like how Singapore stockpiles things like toothbrushes and razors in the bathroom so they are there for your convenience.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Suites first class lavatory on the A380.

If you need to change, there’s a drop-down bench that falls over the toilet that should help you out.

Singapore Suites First Class A380

The pajamas are extremely soft and comfortable and considering they are part of a plane’s amenity kit, they feel pretty heavy duty. In fact, they might be a little too heavy for some people since Singapore tends to keep their A380 cabins a bit warm. If you run hot naturally, these pajamas may keep you too warm for your liking.

It kind of looks like I’m wearing a onesie in the photo below but they are two pieces (although I wouldn’t be completely opposed to wearing an issued onesie with the right thread count).

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore first class pajamas.

After getting changed into the pjs, I decided to scope out some of the other parts of the cabin.

The hallways have a bit of a train feeling to them with the layout of the suites. In fact, a couple of people who saw my Singapore Suites photos initially asked if we were on a train.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Hallway in the Singapore Suites first class cabin.

The doors and walls to the suites are beautifully done. The wood grain paneling + diamond-stitched leather combo seats are an excellent combination that set Singapore Suites apart from other cabins.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Suites window seat.
Singapore Suites First Class A380
Beautiful wood grain paneling.

One thing I really like is that you have so many options to tailor your privacy level. You can keep doors and window shades open, doors open but window shades down, or close up everything. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to keep the shades down for your privacy but keep the doors open so that you can flag down a staff member when needed.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Suite with shades open.

With the window shades down and the doors shut you’re offered maximum privacy. The suite walls are higher than anything I’ve ever flown in (I think even higher than Etihad’s) and so you get an even more secluded feeling like you’re shut off from the rest of the cabin. As you can see in the photo below, there are still some slots where one can see inside the suite but those tend to vanish when the lights go dark.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
A suite all closed up for maximmum privacy.

I spent a little bit of time taking photos of the suites located along the wall. Nothing felt too different about them compared to the interior suites, other than the interior suites obviously being more spacious when combined. We may have opted for the window suites but with the option to experience a double bed on the plane it really was a no-brainer to go with the interior cabin.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Suites window seat.

Singapore Suites First Class A380

Unfortunately, it looks like the window shades (for the exterior of the plane) are manually drawn so there’s no button like on the Etihad Apartment or other first class cabins.

Singapore Suites First Class A380

Service

The service from the first class crew was phenomenal and it really made the experience unforgettable. From the moment we stepped on the plane and were greeted by name (they even accurately pronounced my crazy last name) until we left the plane, we were treated like royalty. Whether it was something big or small, the staff was there to quickly see what they could do to help us out and always did with an amazingly positive attitude. 

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Phenomenal service.

Dining

I expected big things for the dining on Singapore Airlines and it didn’t disappoint whatsoever. If you wish, you can dine with another person sitting across from you at you’re table but since we were both sharing a suite that seemed a bit ridiculous and unnecessary so we just dined in our own seats.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Brad reading through the menu.

After scanning through the menu, I decided on the chicken and to try caviar for the first time. (You can check out their menu here).

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Suites first class menu.

Before appetizers we had our canapé, which consisted of lamb and chicken with a spicy peanut sauce. For a canapé, this was actually pretty filling and could have almost taken place of a main dish. The lamb and chicken all were very satisfying.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Canapé.

We were in the mood to try something besides Dom so the staff brought out some Krug Grande Cuvée, which they actually recommended over the Dom Perignon. I preferred the Dom but can’t say bad things about the Krug.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Krug Grande Cuvée
Singapore Suites First Class A380
Getting the party started.

Next, the caviar came out in a beautiful dish. I first tried the caviar all by itself (liquid courage to blame, perhaps?) but it was way too fishy and salty for me. So I then spread a small amount on the bread crackers and mixed in a little bit of all of the side ingredients and topped it with a squeeze of lemon juice. The result? Delicious!

Singapore Suites Caviar First Class A380
Caviar

I skipped on the soup and salad since I wasn’t very hungry and didn’t want dinner to be a 2 hour affair, but Brad did try out the soup, which consisted of oriental broth and crabmeat. Brad loved it and I had a quick taste of it and liked it as well.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Oriental broth and crabmeat.

Next came the main course, which they seasoned to taste. The dish was a wok-fried sliced chicken in black peppercorn sauce with rice. I stayed away from the mushrooms but ate up the chicken and rice. The chicken had a nice little kick to it and although the rice could’ve used a bit more flavoring, overall I enjoyed the meal.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Wok-fried sliced chicken in black peppercorn sauce.
Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Suites first class dinner.

And then, it was time for dessert. I chose the gianduja chocolate cream with sable crumbs with vanilla ice cream and rose jelly, without any idea of what half of that was. But man, was it delicious. It came in a beautifully presented with floral garnish and raspberries. With the ice cream, crumbs, and jelly (jello), there were many different textures going on at once but the flavors were excellent and satisfied my sweet-tooth.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Dessert: gianduja chocolate cream with sable crumbs with vanilla ice cream and rose jelly

Brad went with the crème brûlée, which while tasty, didn’t compare to the gianduja chocolate dish.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Airlines first class crème brûlée.

Turn down service

After our meal it was time for turn down service. The staff came in quickly started to assemble the double bed. If you don’t know, the beds come out from the back wall after your seat is folded down. It’s an interesting way of doing things and Singapore business class seats work the same way as well.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Airlines Suites double bed.

I’d written to Singapore Airlines before our trip to request some kind of a nice touch to our flying experience and so they prepared our beds with a dozen roses and two stuffed teddy bears. 

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Airlines Suites double bed.

The bed’s not ultra-soft but it certainly does the trick and is on par for what you’d expect on a plane in any event. Plus, with the 3 pillows and soft blankets (all of which are also designed by Givenchy), you’ll have plenty of cushion to keep you comfortable.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Singapore Airlines Suites double bed.
Singapore Suites First Class A380
A special surprise from Singapore Airlines.

They even brought us our own champagne stash.

Singapore Suites First Class A380

And plate of chocolates…

Singapore Suites First Class A380

Suffice it to say, I was on cloud nine.

Singapore Suites double bed First Class A380
A glass of Dom just before bed on Singapore Suites.

Once the beds are set up you’re still about as far back as you were with your seat so you still have a perfectly good view of your television.

Singapore Suites First Class A380

Eventually, the purple ambient lighting kicked on in the cabin and really changed the atmosphere to a more relaxing vibe. At that point, we drew down our shades and closed the doors to our suites for maximum privacy.

Singapore Suites First Class A380
Window shades pulled down.
Singapore Suites First Class A380
Ambient lighting.

On this flight, I would sleep like a baby which is a rarity for me. I’ve only been able to sleep well a few times on a plane and this experience along with the Etihad Apartment were two of those times. Noise from the nearby galley was not an issue for me. 

Singapore Suites First Class A380

The only complaint I’d have with my Singapore Suites experience is the temperature. It was just too warm for my liking (and I’ve read about others saying the same thing). If they could just drop the degrees just a tad, it’d be a lot easier to get comfortable under the covers and with the thicker pajamas and get to sleep.

Singapore Suites First Class A380

Aside from that complaint, however, there’s really nothing negative to say about Singapore Suites…. Okay, so maybe they could use a shower or bar area like Emirates and Etihad but we’ll see what the future holds. 

Singapore Suites First Class A380

Final Word

Singapore Suites offers a world-class flying experience that can compete with the best of them. I think the biggest factors that stood out to me were the full-sized double bed and the unrivaled privacy that comes with the cabins, the dining options, and the service. This is definitely one of the flying experiences where I feel like I could spend a couple of days up in the air and be totally okay with that. It’s an awesome experience and hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy it at some point, if you haven’t already.  

Review of the First Class Apartment on the Etihad A380

I don’t typically do flight or lounge reviews (I leave those for the experts) but it would be impossible for me to go without writing about my experience aboard the Etihad A380 in the first class apartment. The experience exceeded my expectations in just about every way imaginable from the time we walked through those sliding doors at the first class entrance to the time we touched down. Here’s an inside look at the Etihad Apartment and what you can expect if you’re lucky enough to fly in this unforgettable cabin.

The chauffeur pick-up

The “apartment experience” began with complimentary chauffeur pick up in an Audi from our hotel at the W in Dubai (a pretty spectacular hotel). Although Dubai is located about an hour away from Abu Dhabi’s airport, the complimentary chauffeur service for Etihad extends to anywhere in the United Arab Emirates, so our commute to AUH was easily taken care of.

Etihad A380 First Class Apartment
Getting picked up by Etihad chauffeur service at the W.

After close to an hour’s car ride, we arrived to the airport where we were dropped off at the exclusive entrance for premium passengers. One one side there’s an entrance for business class and on another side, shiny lit lettering marking the entrance for “First Class.”

Etihad A380 First Class Apartment
Etihad first class entrance at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Once inside, we were directed to the special first class check-in desk where staff members promptly issued our two boarding passes.

Etihad A380 First Class Apartment
Etihad first class check-in desk.

After that, they pointed us through a short security line and on to the Etihad First Class Lounge and Spa.

Etihad First Class Apartment Lounge
Etihad First Class Lounge and Spa at AUH.

Inside the lounge, there are showers, a cigar and whiskey room, relaxation chairs, and complimentary services for massages at the spa and even a room for haircuts and beard trims. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to fully indulge in all of those services but we did enjoy a phenomenal dining experience while there.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad First Class Lounge dining area.

The dining experience at the First Class Lounge

We started with sparking water and champagne and an appetizer consisting of thin watermelon slices and feta cheese. The textures and unique blend of flavors combined to create an unexpectedly delicious appetizer.

Etihad First Class Apartment lounge dining
Watermelon slices and feta cheese for an appetizer.

At about that time, our server recommended we try a cocktail and so given our destination, we went with the “New York” signature cocktail, an applejack, walnut-infused bourbon with pressed apple juice that packed quite a kick.

Etihad First Class Apartment
The New York signature cocktail.
Etihad First Class Apartment
Red wine to go with out lamb dish.

After a palate cleanser and being poured a nice complimentary glass of wine, our main dish of lamb was served. The lamb’s tender texture and juices made it easily the best lamb I’ve tried in recent memory and the red wine paired amazingly well with it.

Etihad First Class lounge dining AUH
Scrumptious lamb.

Finally, it was time for dessert.

Our server brought us two separate dishes to finish up our dining experience. The first was a sampler platter of various desserts including a hard and soft chocolate, a small brownie, and a Japanese cheesecake topped with strawberries and some form of white chocolate candies.

Etihad First Class lounge dining AUH
Dessert sampler with Japanese cheesecake.

The second dessert dish came in a martini glass and was full of vanilla ice cream, some type of fruity sorbet-like substance, whipped cream, and caramel popcorn. I’m usually not one to overfeed myself, but in this instance, the bit of gluttony was well worth it and felt well called for.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Dessert dish at the Etihad First Class Lounge.

After dining I went in for a quick beard trim since we didn’t have much time before needing to leave to clear pre-arrival customs back to the US. The barber pampered me for a good 15 minutes, lathering my face up and shaping up my beard about as finely as I could ask for. Once that finished up, we were out on our way to clear customs and the second line of security for US arrivals. Thankfully, there’s a Global Entry stand at the customs line and so we bypassed a fairly long wait to get through.

Once through security and customs, Etihad staff redirected us to the business class premier lounge to wait for our flight to board. This lounge, while decent, was crowded and felt muggy, making it a feel like a far cry from the luxurious first class lounge experience we’d just left behind. But after a few minutes, it was time to board and we lined up begin our apartment experience aboard the Etihad A380.

The apartment experience

I’d viewed the photos of the apartment and read reviews what felt like hundreds of times before our flight became a reality, so I experienced that first shock-like feeling as soon as we stepped into the first class cabin area — I couldn’t believe it was finally happening.

Etihad A380 hallway First Class Apartment
Boarding the first class cabin.

I immediately noticed the ornate suite walls and lighting, along with the enchanting Etihad boarding music setting the mood just right.

Etihad A380 hallway First Class Apartment
Ornate decor.
Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad first class lighting.

I found my “apartment number” 4K and Brad parked in the neighboring apartment, 3K. I sat down in the deep thrown of a seat and marveled at the space I’d have to occupy for the next 4 hours. The deep seat, 3-window wall, and mini “hallway” inside the apartment gave me this sense of space that nothing I’ve ever flown on has even come close to (not even the beloved Singapore Suites).

Etihad First Class Apartment
The Etihad Apartment.

If you’re able to lower the partition between a neighboring apartment the space opens up even more, transforming your apartment more into a loft. 

Etihad First Class Apartment
The spacious apartment space.
Etihad A380 First Class Apartment
The Etihad throne.

Sitting in this seat, you can’t help but to feel a slight sense of zen, as if you might actually be royalty.

Etihad A380 First Class Apartment

Champagne and a welcome letter help further set the tone for the upcoming unforgettable flying experience.

Etihad First Class Apartment

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad First Class welcome letter.

After enjoying the initial dose of overwhelming glee, it was time to start checking out all of the features and compartments. The first feature I fixated on was the large 24-inch television, definitely the biggest I’ve had to myself on an airline.

Etihad A380 First Class Apartment
Etihad A380 First Class Apartment 24-inch television.

Etihad A380 First Class Apartment tv

Next, I scoped out the many different compartments found in the apartment.

Compartments include a dresser-like drawer with plenty of room for your passport, phone, and other personal belongings; a compartment for hanging clothes; a slot for storing your high quality headphones, and even your own mini-bar (you’ll have to add the alcohol). There’s also a storage rack beneath the sofa that should fit any reasonably sized carry-on luggage. 

Etihad First Class Apartment
Mini-bar and luggage storage.

Then there’s the three-panel mirror display, which opens up with amenities found inside. You’ll find a razor, toothbrush and toothpaste, lotions, and Q-tips. You’ll also be given a sleeping mask, slippers, and very comfortable pajamas.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad First Class Apartment mirror display.
Etihad First Class Apartment mirror
“It’s the mirrors”

There are two lamps found in your apartment, one by the windows and the other by the door, each with multiple settings for you to set them at just the right amount of dimness.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad apartment lamps.

Etihad First Class Apartment lamp lighting
Automatic blinds and shades are an additional feature of the cabin and can be controlled by a small button at their base or remotely.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad window shades halfway drawn.

The tv offers several nice features in addition to movies and tv shows, such as live television and multiple real-time camera angles of your plane so you can admire your surroundings without even opening a window. 

Etihad First Class Apartment
Tail cam on the Etihad A380.

While the amenities and features are what you’d expect to find in such a cabin, the overall presentation and design of these things combined with the brilliant lighting, mystic background music, and wall and door decor create an ambiance that doesn’t scream flash and bling, but unrivaled class and luxury — two things that are hard not to absorb as you get immersed in relaxation.

The Service

There’s something to be said about what it feels like to receive service from individuals who are solely focused and determined to provide you with the highest grade of service possible (and are actually professionally capable of doing so). It’s a feeling that I’ve honestly only felt a few times in life, with the Etihad Apartment and Singapore Suites experience being two of those.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad First Class attendant offering exceptional service.

Enough cannot be said about the first class staff on board the A380, the chef himself included. I found the staff to be engaging on multiple levels including both personally and professionally. We got to know a little bit about each other while at the same time exchanging ideas on what dishes and drinks might fit my palate and hunger level at that moment. What I liked best is there wasn’t that kind of awkwardness that can sometimes accompany receiving such high level, bend-over-backwards for you service. Everything just felt genuine and appropriate. 

The dining experience

Dining in the Etihad Apartment is “on-demand” meaning that you pick and choose exactly what you’d like to eat and at what time you’d like to receive it.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad first class apartment dining menus.

As I’d eaten quite a lot in the lounge pre-flight, my appetite didn’t show up very much on the flight. However, I knew I had to at least try a few dishes to experience the renown in-flight dining first-hand. So before we requested turn-down service, Brad and I decided to eat a quick meal. For our first meal, we sat across from each other in my Apartment and despite the two of us not being exactly tiny, we still sat pretty comfortably.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad first class dining… table for two.

For the meal, I went with a chicken dish while Brad went with their beef for our first meal. Both dishes were extremely satisfying. 

Etihad First Class Apartment
Chicken dish.

Later, for a second meal that effectively replaced my breakfast, I went with a steak, cooked medium-well and finished up my meal with a cheesecake. All of which met my expectations and left me very pleased. 

Etihad First Class Apartment
Steak for breakfast.
Etihad First Class Apartment
Dessert.

The sleeping experience

Once you’re ready to get some shut-eye, a simple request for turn down service will initiate the transition from sofa to bed in your apartment. The staff will graciously pull out your cushion and blanket and assemble everything for you so that you don’t have to lift a finger.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad first class turn down service.
Etihad First Class Apartment lounge lobby
“The Lobby”

During this time, I decided to go and spend some time in the lounge or “The Lobby” for a few a minutes to see what it was all about. Nobody else was in the lounge and so Brad and I just sat around for a little bit and talked while we waited for the turn down service to be complete.

I opted to wear the complimentary pajamas (as always) but if your body runs hot, you might find them to be a bit too warm for your liking. While Etihad kept its A380 much cooler than Singapore did on our 2 flights with their A380s, it wasn’t exactly chilly throughout the cabin.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Just chillin’ in The Lobby.

After a couple of minutes, we were back in our apartments but with fresh new bedding set for us, including two large soft pillows. 

Etihad First Class Apartment double bed
Freshly made bed.

So, how was the sleep?

Let me start by saying that I’m one of those unlucky people who struggle to fall asleep almost all of the time. When it comes to sleeping on planes in economy, there’s no chance of that happening (even on 14 plus hour flights to and from Australia). Even in a lie-flat business class I still struggle to fall asleep. I think it has something to do with being in an unfamiliar place and in a moving vessel that just doesn’t sit right with me, but unless I’m completely relaxed and comfortable, sleep just doesn’t happen for me.

Etihad First Class Apartment bed turn down service
Getting ready to actually sleep on a plane for once.

With that said, I was extremely relieved to catch some quality shut-eye during our flight. If you’re someone who has to sleep on your stomach, you’ll be in heaven in the apartment as the sleeping cushion and blankets are very comfortable and seatbelt easily stretches with a light tug when you have it buckled over you. You can pretty easily turn over on your side, stomach, and back without being forced to contort your body in odd and uncomfortable positions like you sometimes have to do in business class.

Etihad A380 First Class Apartment
Etihad A380 first class almost “double bed.”

Etihad First Class Apartment bed

Etihad First Class Apartment beds tvs

Etihad First Class Apartment shared bed

I loved being able to share the sleeping space with Brad, too. Having the partition down made so much more spacious and for some time Brad went back to his seat so I had more room than I could ask for while lying down.

Etihad First Class Apartment

With the doors closed to your suite, you feel maximum privacy. I don’t think the walls are as tall as those in the Singapore Suites but they are still tall enough to afford you with the feeling that you’re secluded from the rest of the cabin.

Etihad First Class Apartment
Etihad apartment with the doors shut.

An added bonus is that the tv swings out from the wall so that you can watch it as you drift to sleep. I settled on watching a throwback, Space Jam as I fell asleep to a bit of nostalgia.

Etihad First Class Apartment

The shower experience

Only a couple of airlines boast a shower available for first class passengers and Etihad is luckily one of them. The way the shower works is that around take-off a member of their staff will take down your preference for when you’d like to use the shower. You’ll be given 5 minutes time for water and I think up to 30 minutes total to get all dolled up in the lavatory. In between each shower, the staff does a superb job cleaning the facilities so you don’t have to worry about too much about who came before you. 

Etihad First Class Apartment shower

Much like the entire Apartment experience, taking a shower on a plane is an absolutely surreal feeling. As soon as you hit the “on” button in this shower, hot water comes flowing out with water pressure that I felt was about as much as you’d expect (and could ask for) on a plane. They supply you with body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, in addition to a towel, so you don’t have to worry about bringing any of that in with you. 

Etihad A380 First Class Apartment shower
First shower on a plane!

Etihad First Class Apartment shower gauge

When the dial pictured above reached the red zone, the water cut off which I believed to be a standard warning to finish up with my rinsing process. I learned that to reactivate the water, I simply had to open and close the door and then re-hit the start button. (I assumed this was the standard procedure and not a hiccup.)

After your shower you’ll find some amenities located in the lavatory but try to remember to bring in your own amenity kit with you so that you’ll have everything you need. I didn’t have a comb on me but Etihad gladly provided me one so if you realize you’re short any items, just pass a quick request to someone on staff and they’ll probably be able to take care of you.

Etihad A380 First Class Apartment lavatory
Etihad first class apartment bathroom.

It’s immensely refreshing to spring from a shower about 10 to 11 hours into a flight. You feel fresh and if you were able to combine that with quality sleep, you don’t even feel like you’ve been stuck in a plane for half of an entire day. I felt like I could have easily gone another 10 hours in the plane. 

Etihad Apartment

Final Word

The Etihad first class Apartment is something completely different from anything else available right now. Every detail and component of the experience is well done standing alone but when you combine the extraordinary service, the fine dining, the elegant lighting and decor, the features, and the spectacular uniqueness and comfort of the Apartment itself, something is achieved that can only be understood by experiencing it. It truly is flying re-imagined. 

 

 

 

 

 

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