ABU DHABI’S national carrier, Etihad, has showcased the arrival of its first Airbus A380, fitted with a 125-sqft (11.61-sqm) private apartment that it bills as “the only three-room suite in the sky.”

    The size of the private apartment is slightly smaller than some of the smallest new flats in Hong Kong — a 180-sqft flat in Tai Po.

    The A380 is the first of a fleet of 10 on order from Etihad Airways, which is to take delivery of four more of the double-decker jets next year.

    The first A380 will operate daily to London Heathrow starting Saturday and features “The Residence by Etihad” — a three-room suite, complete with a living room, a private bathroom with shower and a bedroom, as well as a dedicated butler at the very front of the plane’s upper deck. The cabin is for single or double occupancy.

    The airliner said Thursday that the suite has already been booked for its inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to London. The company’s executives previously said that the suite was expected to be priced at US$21,000 — one way.

    Etihad president and chief executive James Hogan said the carrier wants to deploy the high-capacity A380 on “slot-constrained” destinations.

    “By deploying the A380 on to London, we’ll be able to sell more seats, and that’s the same for Sydney and New York,” Hogan said, pointing out Etihad’s three Heathrow slots were insufficient.

    The Gulf carrier has a fleet of 109 aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order. The airline also showcased Thursday its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which will begin flying to the German city of Dusseldorf on Feb. 1.

    It will also offer high-end travelers a suite with a chilled mini-bar and seats that can be joined to create a double bed.

    The company said that three more of the Dreamliners are expected to be delivered next year. (SD-Agencies)