Etihad sends butler trainees to Savoy Hotel
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The first group of Etihad Airways’ new in-flight butlers has started undergoing training at the Savoy Butler Academy in London.
The 13 men and women were selected from the airline’s existing group of in-flight chefs and F&B managers, and will now be trained to serve passengers in the airline’s new first class cabins, called ‘The Residence by Etihad’.
This luxury three-room offering, which includes a living room, private en-suite bathroom and bedroom, is being introduced on Etihad’s fleet of 10 Airbus A380s, the first of which will enter service between Abu Dhabi and London in December this year.
“We are tremendously proud to be sending our first talented crew members for training at the Savoy Butler Academy in London,” said Aubrey Tiedt, Etihad’s vice president of guest services.
“This marks their initiation into a very select group of highly trained hospitality professionals, and is testament to Etihad Airways’ aim to be the best and to provide levels of discretion, dedication and sophistication hitherto not experienced by the modern airline traveller.”
The three-week training programme will cover a range of areas, including international protocol and etiquette, VIP guest care, valet skills, luxury food and wine service standards and organising travel arrangements.
The first two weeks of training will take place at the London School of Hospitality & Tourism, before the trainees move to The Savoy for the third week. After graduation, the first butler will start work on the airline’s inaugural A380 flight to London Heathrow on 27 December.
The second group of butler trainees is scheduled to start their Savoy training in early 2015.
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