Etihad A380 The Residence: Experiencing the World’s Best First Class Flight

[@Shari-tt9qh]

No need to apologise for being joyful and excited. Not embarrassing AT ALL. Your enthusiasm is magnetic! So happy for you that you got to experience and share this with the rest of us, who may not be so lucky...

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Aww thank you - I'm glad people didn't find it annoying haha! ♥️

[@JuniorJr...]

Your experience was truly authentic, ma'am. I admired your genuine reactions. It's refreshing to see someone so friendly and without any arrogance, unlike other KZbinrs who flaunt their first-class travels. Your simplicity, kindness, and genuine excitement experiencing such an exclusive flight are truly captivating. I'd react the same way, especially with the caviar, which I've never tried, haha. Greetings from Brazil, and you've gained a subscriber.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you!! I was worried my level of happiness might seem annoying, but I really couldn't help it haha! I was so excited and thankful for the experience! ♥️

[@johnmichaeloconnor8810]

I agree with Junior. You are refreshingly down to earth and a joy to watch on your dream flight.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

@@johnmichaeloconnor8810 aww, thank you!! I’m glad my excessive excitement wasn’t annoying to people (I really couldn’t help it 😂)

[@josephwilliams2281]

I LOVE how genuinely excited you were. And also how humble and polite. ( yes, the caviar spoon was misappropriated 😅)

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you! ❤️ I was a little embarrassed to see my level of excitement haha, but it was hard for me to hide it 😂 And yes, I’ll do better with the caviar spoon next time 😅😂

[@josephwilliams2281]

@@MelsMilesandPoints But so many who broadcast travel and aviation are often jaded in some sort of way. Which is exactly why your childlike enthusiasm was so authentic and refreshing 💦👌🏾

[@sharoncole5093]

That was incredible!! I’d like to think you were chosen for the upgrade so you could share the amazing experience with all of us. To say I’m impressed by all of the details like including a hairdryer in the private bathroom is an understatement. Nothing seemed to be overlooked including pajamas and an entire assortment of desserts that could be eaten in bed!!!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thanks so much!! It really was the perfect flight!!! I think I'm ruined for all future flights now 😅😂

[@JoseRodriguez-hc3qn]

Beautiful review! I’m glad you were upgraded. Maybe someone in their corporate saw one of your wonderful videos and liked it so much decided to upgrade you. 😂. Thank you for sharing another smooth, relaxing and intriguing video!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it! That would be funny if that's why I got the upgrade, but I think I'm much too minor for them to every notice me 😅😂

[@adocloja]

Congratulations on your amazing flight. You to totally deserve it.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you so much!! That's so sweet of you to say! ♥️♥️♥️

[@jandelnico1310]

What an amazing experience! So happy for you!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you so much!!♥️

[@danielledavies2996]

What a great experience and like you say - too short!!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Right?!😄

[@nathalienguyen6860]

Wow congrats! This is better than flying private!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I wish I could always fly like that!! 🤩😅😂

[@abhimanyutyagi9676]

Congrats on living the upgraded dream😅. Would be great to also learn about booking the etihad flight via American Airlines concept. I know seats. Aero helps but any tips for South Asia to US via etihad?

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thanks!! I'm actually considering doing a video on booking Etihad award flights, so I'm glad to hear you'd be interested!! 😃

[@del_travels]

What an amazing experience for you. We've got the apartment booked from Abu Dhabi to JFK for early next year. Can only hope we get as lucky with the upgrade 😂

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I'm sure you will have an amazing flight either way!! Enjoy every second! 😁

[@luisserrano863]

Thanks for sharing this awesome experience with us!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!

[@kevinManhattan]

OMG what an experience! You so deserve it! Thanks for sharing with us! I hope to experience it someday!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I hope you do too!! It was definitely an unforgettable flight! :)

[@AussieinUK-x8z]

Lovely to watch, but if I was in the residence I would want to be with a friend or partner to enjoy together - what an amazing experience!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Glad you enjoyed watching! It would definitely be fun with a friend or partner!

[@isabellabrown8388]

wow!! i never get that lucky when i fly to abu dhabi!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Hopefully next time!! 🤞🏻😄

[@RChen4]

What at amazing experience!! You totally deserved every bit of this luxury. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💘💘💘💘

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you so much!! It was a dream come true 🥰🥰🥰

[@juliehughes3080]

Such a cool experience! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us Melanie! 🤩

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! ♥️

[@sydneysmith3574]

This video is very immersive I loved seeing all of the details

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I’m so glad you liked it!!! ❤️

[@sunilcrazy1]

Great experience.. I’ve tried emirates first multiple times but m flying Etihad first time next month and would love to get the residence! Did you had any Etihad membership?? I have Gold but that may not guarantee the first class !

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I had a first class ticket for the Apartments when they upgraded me. I really am not sure why they picked me - I don't have status with Etihad. I do have status with American Airlines which is a partner airline though. Good luck!! 🤞🏼 But even if you're not upgraded, I think you'll love the Apartments!

[@missdoglover1644]

Congratulations what an amazing way to fly! The best I’ve done is Business Class and really hope to try First Class one day. Wondering if the dining table lowers at all? Otherwise I would have to sit on cushions 😂

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I hope you get to soon!! I don’t think the table lowers, though, so get the cushions ready 😂 But honestly, I’m not tall at all, and it was fine for me, so you’d probably manage just fine!

[@TheMinecraftJRB]

What a great product

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

It really was!! I've never had so much fun on a flight! 😅

[@xunyangful]

I am so happy for you!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you! ❤️❤️

[@patricevecchio8276]

I heard about your you tube site from Sanda Hildebrand as she was doing my nails this morning. I'm so impressed on all you have accomplished and this wonderful video of your Abu Dhabi experience. I would really like to get together with you and Sanda sometime to talk travel and possibly set up a group trip somewhere. Do you so such things? I do local bus trips for my church groups here in Rockford and I think some may be interested as well. Thanks for all your useful tips. Patrice

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I’ve been getting more requests for something like this, and while I had never considered it in the past, the idea is very intriguing to me. I will definitely give it serious thought, and I’ll make sure to let you know once I feel ready to embark on something like that! Thanks for your interest and for tuning in, and I look forward to possibly meeting you one of these days! 😁

[@patricevecchio8276]

I'd really love to meet and talk with you. Sanda raves about all your adventures. I use to be a travel agent many years ago and would take groups on several adventures myself. @@MelsMilesandPoints

[@nubianpwr]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thanks for watching!

[@jakea3398]

You’re based in Chicago? Just for curiosity sake, are you in the city or suburbs? How do you feel about O’Hare as far as flight options go with points?

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I'm in the suburbs. I really like O'Hare for award flights! United has a hub there, and I usually fly them domestically, but for international flights, there are lots of great international carriers flying nonstop to both Europe and Asia. It's really the best of both worlds!

[@JoshuaBrownViolinist]

Very cool! 👍

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

It really was!! 😃

[@lilian.bloom.petite.stylist]

I flew their 1st AUH - IAD. It was a great seat, but didn’t like their service vs my business MLE - AUH. Love your residence choice, such a lucky winner 🥇

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Were you in the Apartments? I’m surprised to hear the service wasn’t as good as their Business Class product, but I do think that it really depends on the luck of the draw in terms of the crew you get. That can make such a big difference, right?

[@lilian.bloom.petite.stylist]

@@MelsMilesandPoints No, it was just regular 1st - no Apartments to the US until this April (NYC only). The crew never addressed our name or super nice at all.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

@@lilian.bloom.petite.stylist Oh yes, that makes sense. That's too bad they weren't nice - that definitely impacts the experience! Deanna was so nice on my trip and honestly really added to the experience for me. Hopefully you'll get another chance to fly that route and have a better crew next time! 🤞🏻

[@yvr2002rtw]

Did you get a chance to see whether anyone sat in your original seat 4K? Or was the seat probably inoperable while the F cabin was fully booked?

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

It was occupied. All the Apartments were, according to the flight attendant. I feel like I was just really lucky for some unknown reason! 😅

[@spencerj6557]

@@MelsMilesandPointssomeone in business moved up? Someone in economy moved up? My guess is

[@nicholasbrown4230]

very lucky!!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I feel like I hit the points and miles jackpot!! 😂

[@yvr2002rtw]

Etihad no longer sells The Residence as a separate class of its own like they did pre-Covid. They are now selling it as a regular First Class fare with an option to upgrade for an additional fee (for a few thousand dollars extra), just like how you pay extra for an extra legroom seat in Economy!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I’d heard that rumor but wasn’t sure if it was true. Very interesting!!

[@jonasbrothersrockist]

WOW! Planes have showers?

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I know, right?!? 😅

[@AndyBinns-pz1ui]

Officially Jealous....

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

😅😅