Etihad Airways Butlers Finish Savoy Training

Etihad Airways is stepping up its service with an elite group of cabin crew who are billed as "the aviation world's first flying butlers."

Fresh off a three-week training course at the Savoy Hotel in London, the team of 13 men and women will look after VIPs booked in Etihad's three-room cabin. The cabin, dubbed The Residence by Etihad, boasts a living room, private shower room and double bedroom.

The Savoy's Head Butler, Sean Davoren, trained the team in a series of master classes on etiquette and protocol, valet skills and concierge services.

The Residence will debut in December onboard the airline's first Airbus A380 aircraft on the premium Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow route. The airline will receive three more of the superjumbo aircraft in 2015 and the new planes will fly from Abu Dhabi to London, Sydney and eventually New York.