Airports can be stressful places—especially during the holiday travel season, with long lines and people running around late for their flights. So what are the airports to avoid?
Etihad brings flagship Airbus A380 — with private onboard Residence — back to the US
03.12.2023 - 16:25 / thepointsguy.com / John F.Kennedy
The world's most exclusive commercial aircraft cabin is officially returning to the U.S.
Etihad Airways announced Wednesday that it would once again fly its flagship Airbus A380 to New York starting April 22, 2024. The carrier will deploy the A380 on one of its two daily frequencies to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for the duration of the summer season, with the following schedule:
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free biweekly Aviation newsletter.
Etihad will also upgrade its second-daily frequency between New York and Abu Dhabi, operating this flight with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that features a first-class cabin. (As part of the move, the airline will downguage service between Washington, D.C., and Abu Dhabi to a "regular" 787 Dreamliner that doesn't feature first class.)
The double-decker A380 doesn't just represent a massive capacity increase on one of Etihad's key routes, but it also brings a major upgrade to the passenger experience for flyers in all cabins, especially those with the deepest pockets.
That's because Etihad A380s feature the so-called Residence product, which is essentially a three-room private cabin at the front of the first-class section.
The Residence is the most exclusive cabin in commercial aviation, and it offers up to two passengers an extra-spacious suite, a private bedroom and a private lavatory with a shower. No other product — not even Emirates' game-changer first class — comes close to offering as much privacy and space as Etihad's Residence.
Back in the day, Etihad used to curate an elevated experience for those who dropped tens of thousands of dollars to fly in the Residence. This included a private lounge, a special onboard menu adapted to your dietary preferences and restrictions, and a personal butler dedicated to serving you.
But nowadays, the airline has largely scaled back much of the Residence's "soft product." While the physical suite remains, the ground and onboard service largely resemble what passengers should expect in first class.
To celebrate the return of the Residence to the U.S., Etihad is offering some discounted — albeit still pricey — upgrade offers for those who already booked first-class tickets. Residence upgrades are available from "just" $2,990 through Dec. 12 for travel from April 22, 2024, through the end of the schedule (excluding June 14-24).
Standard one-way Residence upgrade prices on the New York route will be $4,520 per person. It wasn't immediately clear if passengers could upgrade to the Residence from first-class award tickets.
The good news is that even for those who don't want to splurge for the Residence, the return of the A380 should bring a noteworthy upgrade to the passenger
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
euronews.com
21.12.2023 / 23:41
Ranked: The world’s most stressful airports to travel through this Christmas
2023 has been a challenging year for air travel, with the aviation industry plagued by strikes, system hiccups and disruptive weather conditions.
matadornetwork.com
16.12.2023 / 14:43
With Views of Edinburgh Castle, These Are the Best Central Airbnbs in Edinburgh
No first trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The world-famous icon of Scotland is part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the country. Dominating the skyline of the city, the fortress looms over the streets below from its position on the Castle Rock. Due to its strategic location, it has been a royal residence, a military stronghold, and a focus of countless sieges and battles. It also offers stunning panoramic views over the city of Edinburgh. Due to the size and walkability of the city center, the best way to explore Scotland’s capital is on foot. That means, if you are looking for a central Airbnb, you’ll be no more than a 30-minute walk from the Royal Mile — the main street leading to the castle gates. The Airbnb near Edinburgh Castle rentals we’ve selected here are steeped in history, have views of the iconic site, Superhost status, and five-star reviews from past guests.
cntraveler.com
14.12.2023 / 15:14
These Major Airlines Just Flew Planes Powered Entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel—So, What's Next?
Air travel contributes to 2.5 percent of our global carbon emissions, often getting named as one of the biggest contributors to climate change. So it’s no surprise that airlines are all upping their sustainability efforts, especially in the race to find jet fuel alternatives in the form of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
thepointsguy.com
11.12.2023 / 20:53
After 3-month delay, Japan Airlines unveils flights on new flagship jet
It's official: Japan Airlines' new flagship aircraft will take to the skies just a few weeks after the new year.
cntraveler.com
11.12.2023 / 12:07
Onboard the Bou el Mogdad: Exploring Senegal by river cruise
They say you can never go back, but that’s only true in part, and doesn’t apply to travel at all. Visit a place a second time, and you go with a seasoned pair of eyes, and all the buoyancy and confidence of familiarity. My second time in Saint-Louis, Senegal, I was better at fending off the touts, better at finding the best grub, better at dealing with the heat. I picked a better hotel—the La Résidence, with its antique whiff of cigar smoke, its old-world comforts, and its rooftop views of the city. And this time, I would go further—I’d be spending a week gliding up the Senegal River, 125 miles from Saint-Louis to the trading town of Podor, on a river cruiser, the Bou el Mogdad.
traveldailynews.com
05.12.2023 / 08:36
LOT Polish Airlines is returning to Athens and announces new summer destinations from Radom
LOT Polish Airlines is reinstating flights to Athens. LOT Polish Airlines aircraft will be flying to the capital of Greece all year round.
skift.com
30.11.2023 / 21:57
IDEAS: Qatar Airways Goes Organic with New Onboard Menu
Qatar Airways is introducing a range of new onboard menu items that have been sourced from organic farms in Qatar, in celebration of EXPO 2023 taking place in Doha.
thepointsguy.com
30.11.2023 / 20:53
Inside United's 1st Airbus A321neo — step onboard ahead of the inaugural flight
It's a new, or neo, day for United.
thepointsguy.com
29.11.2023 / 00:41
Virgin Atlantic just crossed the ocean using sustainable aviation fuel — here's what that actually means
Virgin Atlantic made history on Tuesday by crossing the Atlantic Ocean with a jetliner powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
cntraveler.com
28.11.2023 / 21:22
These US Airports Are the Most (and Least) Likely to Have Holiday Delays
Traveling during the holidays is stressful enough and every little obstacle along the way can feel amplified. While many factors can play a part in flight interruptions and delays, a new study by Upgraded Points takes a look back at nearly a decade of historical data spanning 2014 to 2022 to find out which airports tend to have the best and worst track records for punctuality during the holiday season.
travelandleisure.com
28.11.2023 / 18:31
MSC Cruises' Extended Cyber Monday Sale Is Offering $500 in Onboard Credit and More
MSC Cruises' is getting into the holiday spirit by extending its Cyber Monday all the way to Sunday.