Why Etihad Is Charging $32K For Its Super Luxury First Class

A savvy traveller who used his credit card to buy a ticket for the world's most luxurious aeroplane suite has revealed what it's really like to fly in the 'penthouse in the sky' - and he's taken viewers along for the ride.

Calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Brian Kelly, also known as The Points Guy, was treated to perks that passengers in economy could only dream of, including a Savoy-trained butler, a bedroom with a double bed, and a shower, when he flew in Etihad's Residence suite.

It's a private space that very few travellers will ever set foot in thanks to its staggering cost - Brian, 32, from New York, spent £21,000 on a one-way ticket and racked up nearly 100,000 credit card rewards points.

The top deck suite on Etihad's Airbus A380 aircraft boasts three private rooms - a living room, bathroom and bedroom - and the jetsetter wasted no time in making the most of his $32,000 (£21,206) ticket on his New York to Abu Dhabi flight.

One of the most important parts of many passenger's flight is the meal, and Kelly said the Residence's offerings did not disappoint.

Instead of bland plane meals, his Italian chef Enrico prepared a Thanksgiving feast, including stuffing, turkey, mashed sweet potato and pumpkin pie (a request only a guest of the Residence could ask for).

His dedicated butler, Eren, catered to Kelly's every whim, including providing him with his favourite bottle of vodka.

Kelly said to MailOnline Travel: 'A half dozen or so Etihad employees met me at the front door of JFK and I was never without a few aides all the way through my arrival in Abu Dhabi.

'Everyone was exceptionally friendly, from the lounge attendants at JFK to my fantastic butler Eren. So, the service was definitely the highlight for me.'

Measuring 125 square feet in total the two-person suite also includes a bathroom with an on board shower so guests can arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed - which puts the cramped tiny toilets on most carriers to shame.

Kelly decided he had no choice but to try the handy facilities - twice - although he said that usually the luxury is only something you can do once and after booking in with the flight attendants.

Relaxing took place in the living room, a suitably glamorous area with gold cushions strewn over a leather-clad sofa.

And instead of trying to watch a movie on a tiny screen on the back of a plane seat, the sumptuous lounge area comes complete with a giant 32in flatscreen TV.

Wifi was provided for free in the apartment with Kelly describing its strength as 'usable'.

'Would I use it to do a full day's worth of work?

Probably not. It helped that Etihad provides free wifi vouchers to Residence guests — my butler Eren even entered the code into my phone so I didn't have to do it myself,' he said.

Offering the traveller with the chance for some shuteye how much is the new york new york ride the suite's double bedroom which is decorated with delicate fabrics and furnished with a natural fibre mattress, Egyptian cotton sheets and a choice of pillows.

And with each hour of the 12.5-hour flight working out as costing approximately $2,500 (£1,656) - Kelly commented it was the most expensive nap he has had to date.