Etihad First Class, Up To 4 Seats

Update: Forgot to update the date range in the STTP section, so I wanted to resend just to avoid any confusion!


Etihad offers one of the best first class experiences in The Apartments on its Airbus A380s. Of course, first class on the Boeing 787 is pretty impressive too!


The tough part is booking as Etihad is not releasing space in The Apartments on the JFK route to partner programs. Additionally, Etihad only releases first class space to partners within 30 days of departure.


As a result, you often have to book with Etihad miles and award rates can be steep. Plus, the Etihad Guest cancellation fees are rough (more below).


Points Wire Highlights


Now, let’s get into it!

Straight To The Points


Routes: JFK - AUH
Operating airline: Etihad
Class of service: The Apartments / First Class
Dates: August 2024 - July 2025
Seats available: 2 (up to 4)
Cabin layout: 1-1 (A380); 1-2-1 (B787)
Book with (per person, one-way): 

  • Etihad Guest:

    • The Apartments: 200,000 miles

    • First class: 160,000 miles


Partners have access to limited space through the end of August.

  • American AAdvantage: 115,000 miles


*No Surcharges


Taxes/fees with Etihad Guest (per person, one-way): 

  • From JFK: ~$544

  • From AUH: ~$663


Bank transfer partners: 

  • American: Marriott

  • Etihad: Amex, Citi, Capital One, Marriott


Current Airline Transfer Bonuses
Best Card Offers


Let me know if you book!

Available Dates

Book Your Stay With VIP Perks

Seach for other hotels perks

*Bookable with points

Flight Experience


Etihad's Apartments are arranged in a 1-1 cabin layout. Your seat is separate from your bed. Personally, I like the rear-facing window seats (3A and 3K). Plus, there's an inflight shower. You can expect caviar, champagne, and a very nice meal. With only 9 seats in the cabin, the service is also quite impressive.

Etihad's first class on the Boeing 787-9 is arranged in a 1-2-1 cabin layout. You can expect caviar, champagne, and a very nice meal. With only 8 seats in the cabin, the service is more personalized than you'll find in business class.

Best Ways To Book


American: Great Rate, Tough To Earn


If you’re able to travel by the end of August, your best option is 115,000 American miles. However, you won’t find award space in The Apartments.


Cancellation & Change Fees: $0


Etihad: More Award Space, Easy To Earn


Let’s be frank, Etihad’s award rates are steep and the cancellation fees are egregious.  While speculative bookings can make sense with other programs, I recommend only using Etihad miles when you’re very confident you’ll take the trip.


However, Etihad is the only way you can book The Apartments right now and the only way to book first class beyond August. Even if first class is 160,000 miles and The Apartments is 200,000 miles, that does allow you to plan ahead.


Cancellation Fees:

  • 21+ days from departure: 25% of miles redeemed

  • 8 to 21 days from departure: 50% of miles redeemed

  • 1-7 days from departure: 75% of miles redeemed

  • Within 24 hours: 100% of miles redeemed


Change Fee: $30

How To Search


You'll need to search with Etihad:

  1. Select One way or Round trip

  2. Select number of passengers

  3. Select class of service

  4. Enter origin and destination

  5. Select date(s)

  6. Select Pay with miles

  7. Click Search flights


To search with American:

  1. Select Advanced / Multi-city search (just click this link)

  2. Select Redeem miles

  3. Select One way or Round trip

  4. Enter From & To cities

  5. Select departure date(s)

  6. Choose the number of passengers

  7. Select Class as Business/First

  8. Click Search

  9. Select Calendar to see other dates


Happy booking!