Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its tenth and final Airbus A380.

Employees from Etihad Airways and Airbus gathered at the European plane-maker’s Hamburg Finkenwerder plant in Germany, where the aircraft was officially handed over to the UAE national airline before commencing its delivery flight to Abu Dhabi.

The airline’s award-winning double-decker A380s are the most customised aircraft of their kind in commercial service and feature unique innovations such as The Residence - a three-room living space for up to two guests, including a living room, a private shower-room, and a bedroom.

The aircraft also boasts nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios, a Lobby Lounge, and 415 Economy Smart Seats.

Etihad Airways operates its fleet of Airbus A380s on flights from the UAE capital to London, Sydney, New York, and from July, Paris. 

Etihad was recognised as both the World’s Leading Airline and World’s Leading Airline – First Class at the World Travel Awards in 2016.

Airbus A380

Etihad Airways’ A380 features a total capacity of 496 seats – up to two in ‘The Residence’, nine in first class, 70 in business class and 415 in the economy cabin.

The Residence is an ultra-private, three-room suite featuring a living room with a 32” LCD monitor, bedroom with a double bed, separate en-suite shower room and dedicated personal butler trained at the world-renowned Savoy Hotel in London.

The cabin also comes with a private chef ready to custom-create menus to order.

There are nine first class suites on the new Etihad Airbus A380

The nine first apartments feature a flat-screen television, a chilled mini-bar, personal vanity unit, wardrobe and a fully equipped shower room.

The 70-configured business studios are located on the upper deck of the A380 and all offer direct aisle access, a fully flat bed and an increase of 20 per cent in personal space.

The Lobby, a luxurious lounge located between the first class and business class cabins, features two comfortable sofas and a staffed bar.

On-board food and beverage managers, with experience of working in luxury hotels and top restaurants, offer business class customers an extensive menu and provide recommendations on the perfect accompaniment for their meals.

The main deck features 415 economy seats which offer ergonomic fixed-wing headrests, lumbar support and an 11-inch personal, high-definition monitor screen to enjoy more than 750 hours of on-demand movies, TV programmes, games and live TV news and sports.

Etihad will offer the first class suite on routes to London, Sydney, New York, and Paris this year

Etihad Aviation Group

Etihad Aviation Group is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising five business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Airport Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners.

The group has minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional.