Residence is 1A.

Flew it first time last week LHR-AUH. What you get:

- An escort from T4 check-in through security to the lounge (no shortcut in security though there wasn't a long queue)
- Direct entrance to the VIP room in the lounge (i.e. not going into the lounge itself, you take a side door) which has sofa, TV and small dining table. With dedicated waiter/waitress.
- Option to board first or last. I chose first. Etihad rep came and got me from the lounge and we went straight onto the plane before boarding started.
- Onboard dedicated cabin crew member.
- Onboard same F&B as First. I didn't notice if cutlery/crockery was different, maybe it was. But I did get two large portions of caviar proactively offered.
- Private shower can be used up to 1hr before landing and they can give two sessions (10 min) though I usually only use for <5 min anyway
- I'm assuming amenity kit and PJ same as First
- On arrival offered first or last off. I chose First and I was escorted to the door ahead of all other F pax
- Met at the bridge by an Etihad rep who escorted through the terminal plus another rep to carry my bags
- Taken straight to passport control with an attempted short-cut (didn't quite work out) and through to Etihad Chauffeur
- I hadn't pre-booked Etihad Chauffeur but there was an SUV waiting for me anyway

All in all a very nice and efficient experience, and for the relatively small additional cost over the cash F ticket, I think worth trying out. Would I do it every time? Maybe... with all the cash in the world, yes, but the standard F is already great so harder to justify. Maybe just if I did NYC-AUH.

I didn't book the option immediately on MMB, but EY called me a few days before and made a materially lower offer which I accepted on the phone.

The Residence is a totally unique product in the sky - nothing compares. If want to be really picky I would say the bed was more solid than I would like. The cushions and leather on the sofa are so smooth you slide around a bit too much. The food is great. The drinks selection is well below what it should be in First Class. Its not bad, but its not Residence standard. BA e.g. is much much better (the only thing its better for). I do think its tight for 2 pax, but its great space for 1 pax, so I wouldn't book it to share. 2x normal F suite is better.