IMAGINE the luxury of having your very own butler/sommelier while flying 40,000 feet above. And with a la carte and a kitchen menu, in-flight guests not only choose what they want but dine when they want to.

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, makes sure every journey is a memorable experience through its unique premium service dubbed ?Inspired Service.?

From an Etihad Chauffeur, the door-to-door limousine service transporting guests to the airport, to one of the largest onboard personal video screens at 23 inches, Etihad Airways extends the warm Arabic hospitality to its select clientele.

?We may grow to become a big [player] in the industry but we don?t want to be just one among many. The most important thing for us are the passengers. They are at the heart of our service,? said Juan Torres, Etihad Philippines country manager.

The only airline with a fully flat bed flying out of Manila, Etihad Airways? ?Inspired Service? also includes a personal concierge upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, who will take care of your luggage and guide you to an exclusive check-in counter.

At the lounge, rejuvenating services such as day-spa treatments, individual film screenings and fine-dining cuisine are offered. Once aboard, the ambient mood lighting instantly puts the airline a class apart from the rest. With an extensive selection of boutique wines and an attentive F&B manager, the in-flight butler, service is more intimate and memorable with someone offering expert advice as you go through your meal choices.

?It?s not about big hefty servings with lots of garnishing, like the typical Arabic meals with lots of sauces and rice. The menu is geared toward European with Asian influences, so for a light snack, you?ll probably have popcorn with dried seaweed. Or a meal of a single, simple protein with light vegetables,? said Evan S. Walden, F&B manager of Etihad Airways.

One of the best part, said Walden, is dining on request. On a red-eye flight, for instance, where most passengers have already had dinner prior to boarding, you can choose to simply have your warm olives with wine before turning to bed, or go straight to sleep and request for breakfast at a certain hour.

Meals are served on plates, not trays, and if you are traveling first class, you get the comfort of a full dining table. Except for countries with restrictions, such as Australia, Etihad doesn?t use plastic cutlery. The china is specially designed, with a lovely table linen and quality glassware to match.

?It?s certainly a big challenge because we are offering five-star dining experience aboard an aircraft. It?s almost like controlled craziness, but the crew is well-trained,? Walden said.

Long-haul flights are even more restful now with the fully flat bed in hand-sewn linen extending from 6?1? (business class) to 6?8? (first class). Ergonomically designed seats give you over 6 feet of personal space. The flight has a built-in massage facility, a unique 180-degree rotation feature for onboard business meetings or private dinners, and a privacy shell for first class.

Since its first flight five years ago, Etihad Airways is now among the fastest growing airline companies in the industry, last year alone making a 34-percent leap in passenger numbers. From Manila, it flies daily to Abu Dhabi, and takes off to 50 destinations in the world from there. For more information, visit www.etihadairways.com.