Air France and Etihad have therefore opted for excellence. The Abu Dhabi airline Etihad has presented "The Residence", a three-room space with a bedroom with a double bed, a lounge with a two-seater sofa and a bathroom. The package costs an average of €15,500 and includes a butler trained at the Savoy Butler Academy in London... This real flying flat will be built into the upper deck of Airbus A380s. Alternatively, the new First Apartments product will offer a private space with a seat-bed and access to a bathroom area. In this way, Etihad hopes to attract the very best in the world, from VIPs to politicians...
Air France is not to be outdone with its new first class. In a return to luxury, four La Première Haute Couture Suites will replace the eight seats in the former Première on 19 Boeing 777-300s. The concept consists of a 3 m2 suite enclosed by a curtain and an electronic seat-bed combining leather with noble materials. Other touches of comfort include a large pillow and a Sofitel My Bed duvet, a real HD TV screen and an ottoman seat that lets you invite a guest to share the meal, prepared by top Michelin-starred chefs such as Joel Robuchon and Michel Roth. Simply great French art, and it will be taking off at the end of September on the Paris-Singapore-Jakarta route.
More recently, Scandinavian carrier SAS set about renovating its long-haul business class. The typically Nordic spirit is even more contemporary for this cabin, which is decked out in light colours with a seat-bed with direct access - without disturbing the neighbour - and blankets and eiderdowns created by one of Sweden's best-known bed manufacturers. New HD screens and WiFi complete the refurbishment of this class, which is due to make its debut in 2015 and will be available on seven Airbus A330s and A340s.
