Via One Mile at a Time it appears that award space is wide open for two passengers to fly Etihad’s first ‘apartment’ onboard their A380 between New York JFK and Abu Dhabi.
- This is the single most aspirational award product in the sky. The upper deck of the Etihad A380 has just a single aisle. There’s a shower onboard. There’s no product with as much personal space.
You can find the availability yourself on the Etihad Guest website, you are looking for ‘Guest First’ availability. Or just call. But as of now most flights most days have the space open.
American, for instance, charges 90,000 miles each way for first class between the US and Middle East or Indian Subcontinent. That means flying Los Angeles – New York JFK – Abu Dhabi in first class and then Abu Dhabi – Male (Maldives) in business class would be 90,000 miles.
The New York JFK – Abu Dhabi flights are available for First Apartment awards in both directions, most flights, starting December 1 when New York gets the A380.
You need to be careful because there are two Etihad New York – Abu Dhabi flights. Only one is operated by the A380, so be sure to check the aircraft. (The other is operated by the older Jet Airways ‘Jetihad’ 777 which is inferior to the standard Etihad first class product in my opinion.)
This availability will not last. Personally I plan to put a few itineraries on hold using American miles (and indeed ticket them, because as a 100,000 mile flyer I get free redeposits).
What about the LAX-JFK segment in your example? Does EY even fly that route?
Gary, What’s the A380 flight #? All I see is the 777 for EY 102 and EY100. I was looking in June
ah, NVM
Regardles of awards, do you how many apartments are available per flight?
@traderprofit you want EY102/103 not 100/101 —- and the flight becomes an A380 in December 2015.
@Ken you’d fly American for that segment
What are you talking about “wide open”?! A couple days here or there when checking all the way to end of March!
@Gary, are there different miles requirements for First Class Apartments and standard First Class on Etihad? How do we know which class is indicated by Guest First?
What would be the best seats to select for a couple traveling in “First Apartment”?
If my wife and I are traveling, will I be able to book just one of these (and pay for one), and both of us fly in it? How would that work in terms of ticketing? Or, would we each have to get our own ticket?
Just flew AUH-LHR in this yesterday. Amazingly, it actually even exceeds all the hype! There are 9 apartments per flight. Each person has to book and pay for their own. 1 person per apartment.
@andrew each passenger needs their own ticket – only the residence works for 2
@Gradstudent no the apartment is the same booking class as regular first class, just on the A380
@Joe when I posted this it was available nearly every day — presumably lots of people booked it! 🙂
Hi Gary, do you know if Etihad has removed all First Class apartments from their websites from being bookable using AA miles? I can’t seem to find availability anywhere on any date under the “Guest First” column pricing.
@Brandon – it goes in spurts, though the other day I was still seeing Abu Dhabi – London Apartment space
@Brandon – Not all but pretty dry. SYD-AUH used to be pretty wide open, always 2 seats per flight every day… all gone now and it seem they no longer release any for this route. You might see last minute release pop up here and there but don’t bet on being able to book any apartment using AA miles for now. AAdvantage members… including me probably killed the deal 🙂
Quick question Gary, will AA mile redemption allow for an Australia to USA via AUH award redemption?
@Mike – that would be treated (priced) as two separate awards