Meet the aviation superfan who installed an A380 suite in his apartment

A Dubai-based aviation enthusiast has transformed part of his home into a life-sized homage to Etihad’s The Residence, the three-room private suite formerly offered on select Airbus A380s. The fan, Arun Rajagopal, acquired the dismantled Residence and oversaw a year-long restoration to make it functional in his seventh-floor Dubai apartment.

The project centers on The Residence’s living room, which Rajagopal describes as the pinnacle of luxury in commercial aviation. Wings Craft, the UAE upcycling company, procured the suite in damaged condition and reassembled it for ground use, adapting components so they operate outside an aircraft’s integrated systems.

Finished in June 2026, the recreated living space sits behind a white sliding door and includes a custom 32-inch TV, powered window shades, lighting, a private bed area, and other details intended to mirror the onboard experience. The setup also features personal touches such as an orchid and various aviation-themed furnishings and memorabilia.

Rajagopal says the project blends his long-standing passion for the Airbus A380 with a desire to create an immersive at-home experience. He has flown the A380 many times, including in business class on a 2009 Emirates flight, and has accumulated a large collection of A380-related items and salvaged parts in Dubai and Kochi.

In speaking about the decision to install The Residence at home, Rajagopal notes the effort extended beyond mere appearance: the installation required stairs to move large components to his seventh-floor apartment, and the space is used not only for display but as a functional living area and office space as well. He emphasizes that the project reflects his personal philosophy of pursuing a passion deeply rather than chasing numbers.