After 15 hours in business class on the soon-to-be-extinct Airbus A380 with Etihad, I fully understand how both got their glitzy, luxurious reputation

The Airbus A380 superjumbo jet is the largest and most expensive passenger plane in history.
Although the plane has been largely a bust for Airbus, which will soon stop producing it , two major Middle Eastern airlines Etihad and Emirates have used it to introduce incredible new levels of luxury for first-class passengers.
But business class often gets forgotten about. So when my wife and I had the opportunity to fly home from vacation in Etihad's business class with frequent-flyer miles, I jumped at the chance.
I've flown in different cabins on a few airlines' A380s, but Etihad's business class stood out thanks to the incredibly comfortable seat, posh on-board lounge, and delicious food.
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The three major Middle Eastern airlines Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have developed reputations for incredible opulence and luxury.

Although some of that reputation comes from clever marketing like commercials with Jennifer Aniston some of it is clearly deserved. Emirates has showers on board its A380s for first-class passengers, Etihad offers a three-room suite on some of its double-decker superjumbos, and Qatar has one of the world's best business-class products.

Of course, the coach experience is different , but the three airlines known as the "ME3" for "Middle East three" offer experiences that are pretty much unique.

Over the winter holidays, my wife and I went to a friend's wedding in India, and then spent a few days in the Maldives before heading home. While we flew United to India , when we had the chance to fly business class with Etihad on our way home, we couldn't resist.

Although Etihad is not in one of the traditional airline alliances, it partners with American Airlines, which meant we were able to use miles. Otherwise, business-class flights from the Maldives to our home city of New York would have run about $4,000 each.

I had high hopes going in, and even though I slept for much of the flight and skipped the tempting wine list because I was recovering from food poisoning, it definitely lived up to expectations.

Scroll down to see what it was like to fly in business class on Etihad's A380.

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