Etihad sends first group of Residence butlers off for training
Sep 16, 2014, 3:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
Etihad sends first group of Residence butlers off for training
While I'm personally not convinced that three weeks of training will do it, I think it's an interesting idea.
This was just published (in our newsroom).
Etihad Airways Begins Butler Training for A380 Residence Suites
This was just published (in our newsroom).
Etihad Airways Begins Butler Training for A380 Residence Suites
Etihad Airways announced the start of its butler program as the airline’s first-ever butlers began their training at the Savoy Butler Academy in London.
Once trained, the butlers will work on board the airline’s new Airbus A380 aircraft that are coming with three-room cabins called the Residence. ...
<SNIP>
Once trained, the butlers will work on board the airline’s new Airbus A380 aircraft that are coming with three-room cabins called the Residence. ...
<SNIP>
Sep 17, 2014, 6:06 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 164
So the butlers will be coming from chefs and F&B managers...always thought they would promote some CS or F FA to the position (talked to several CM, and none of them wanted to become a butler haha), but I guess it makes sense to promote those with F&B experience as the butlers are expected to provide most of the food service as well.
I wonder if EY will have a dedicated shower attendant à la EK as well....
I wonder if EY will have a dedicated shower attendant à la EK as well....
Sep 17, 2014, 7:17 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
So the butlers will be coming from chefs and F&B managers...always thought they would promote some CS or F FA to the position (talked to several CM, and none of them wanted to become a butler haha), but I guess it makes sense to promote those with F&B experience as the butlers are expected to provide most of the food service as well.
I wonder if EY will have a dedicated shower attendant à la EK as well....
I wonder if EY will have a dedicated shower attendant à la EK as well....
Sep 17, 2014, 9:27 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,722
Sep 17, 2014, 9:31 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,722
Perhaps these butlers will be receiving other and additional training in the meantime? Otherwise...what are they going to be doing for the other 10 weeks between now and service commencement?
Sep 17, 2014, 5:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: Paid F
Posts: 238
Sep 17, 2014, 9:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 157
They can't. The space used by the residence is the "no window" space front of the staircase in the A380, it does not take any floor space from regular seating. I think it's a brillant use of this space too : save for EK shower, most airline have some form of uninspiring lounge there that no use anyway.
Sep 18, 2014, 1:36 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dubai
Programs: Skywards Gold, Etihad Silver, Qatar Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 311
There will always be celebrities, royalties, High Net Wealth individuals, who would book this during the year, making it sufficient to justify the pricing.
Ultimately I dont think EY is doing this as a serious money generating tool, but more for marketing and Bling. I can already hear the stories of the celebs, passengers saw flying on the same flight in the Residence
.
Sep 18, 2014, 10:43 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CBR (Australia)
Programs: QF
Posts: 290
Since apparently none of them are coming from the FA ranks I suspect they will also need to know the safety aspects of the aircraft.