Meet Gino Bertuccio, the Miami-based businessman who’s purchased a spot in aviation history with the first ticket -- priced around US$20,000 (about RM70,000) one way -- to fly Etihad Airways’ over-the-top, onboard hotel suite. 

On December 27, Bertuccio will board the carrier’s inaugural A380 flight from Abu Dhabi to London and be the first flyer to experience the world’s only private, three-room suite aboard a commercial aircraft.

For flights where first class just won't do, Etihad's The Residence features a living room, a double bedroom and an ensuite shower and comes with a Savoy Academy-trained butler. The experience also comes with a luxury chaffeur, private check-in and lounge, and inflight chef.

Bertuccio is a millionaire who heads a personal hygiene and cosmetics company, and an aviation buff, making him the ideal guest of The Residence, a game-changer in luxury air travel.

In 25 years, the Miami resident has flown on 22 inaugural -- and final -- flights in premium class cabins, and he owns a collection of airline memorabilia that includes 2,000 model airplanes.

In 2011, he was also one of the first passengers to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the world's first carbon-composite airliner, with All Nippon Airways (ANA).

"For the first time in my flying experience, I really don't know what to expect but I do know that flying in the Residence by Etihad will be a truly unique adventure, the top of luxury,” he said in a statement.

“I have huge expectations. My only wish is that the flight was longer.”

 

(Images: AFP Relaxnews; Etihad Airways)

 

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