Etihad Business Class.... Any Feedback?
Discussion
NTEL said:
I'm flying from Manchester to Sydney via Abu Dhabi, business class with Etihad, next week. Anybody done this route? Any feedback?
Cheers
Dave
No first hand experience, but http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/etihad.htm may help.Cheers
Dave
ttiest airport i have ever been to and the airports security is woeful. Apart from that you will be fine.I flew from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi then on to Singapore, Brisbane with Etihad and then back from Sydney via Abu Dhabi about 6 weeks ago. Flew standard class (cheapskate company I work for) which was fine. I can only assume that business class will be brilliant.
The leg from Sydney to AD was 14 hours (plus 4 hours on the ground in Sydney cos the plane caught fire, but don't let that put you off) and if you are a smoker, you can smoke in the airport at AD. I think it was 7 or 8 back to London from there.
Check in was painless both ends, but as Rich said, when you transfer at AD, you have to go thru security again (even if you are getting back on the same plane). So do not buy any liquids at Heathrow (over 100ml of anything including perfume) as you will be throwing them away at AD security. Same at Singapore if you wind up on that route.
Fags are cheap on Etihad - 200 Marly lights, $15!
I'd fly Etihad again. Very good airline and quite cheap I guess as my company bought the ticket...
The leg from Sydney to AD was 14 hours (plus 4 hours on the ground in Sydney cos the plane caught fire, but don't let that put you off) and if you are a smoker, you can smoke in the airport at AD. I think it was 7 or 8 back to London from there.
Check in was painless both ends, but as Rich said, when you transfer at AD, you have to go thru security again (even if you are getting back on the same plane). So do not buy any liquids at Heathrow (over 100ml of anything including perfume) as you will be throwing them away at AD security. Same at Singapore if you wind up on that route.
Fags are cheap on Etihad - 200 Marly lights, $15!
I'd fly Etihad again. Very good airline and quite cheap I guess as my company bought the ticket...
Seats and food are great. My experience is that the entertainment system can be temperamental which can be a bit of a pisser if it doesn't work on your seat and business is full so they can't move to another seat.
Of course, they then may stick in first if that is the case which is a bonus (Emirates had to do this when I flew Dubai to San Francisco for the same reason) but I don't think Etihad have first from Manchester (they didn't used to)
Of course, they then may stick in first if that is the case which is a bonus (Emirates had to do this when I flew Dubai to San Francisco for the same reason) but I don't think Etihad have first from Manchester (they didn't used to)
A tip is that if you are travelling alone try to get a window seat as when the you have seat in bed mode you get loads more privacy due to the configuration of the seats. In me experience the aisle seats leave you feeling a little exposed. Again check seatguru.
Oh and to add to the plane on fire post I was on a Etihad flight from Bahrain 4 weeks ago that suffered hydraulic failure just after take off. Never seen so many fire engines!
The new terminal at AD is not that bad and the lounge is OK but can be very crowded between 6am and 8am.
Oh and to add to the plane on fire post I was on a Etihad flight from Bahrain 4 weeks ago that suffered hydraulic failure just after take off. Never seen so many fire engines!
The new terminal at AD is not that bad and the lounge is OK but can be very crowded between 6am and 8am.
I do this a few times a year, I've been with most airlines but generally stick to Etihad now. You'll get the car to collect you on the way there, generally an S-Class or 7 series, something of that quality (and certainly not a Mercedes van like the one Emirates sent for me). Check in on line and, as previously said, get a window seat.
At Manchester you are in the Servisair lounge, which isn't great. On board it is fine, the seats are typical lie flat jobs and the entertainment system is OK. Food is whatever you want from the menu when you want it. I'm not a fan of any airline food but their's is as good as any. There is as much alcohol as any other airline. If you get upgraded first gives you a little room/compartment of your own, but that would only be on the AD/Sydney leg.
Abu Dhabi airport is OK, you will be in the new terminal. Someone said that you have to go through security as you transfer, but that is normal these days. The lounge is a bit on the small side, there is a complementary spa, if you want something go there to book first - it's on your right hand side on the way in.
It is very likely your flight will be on time, they allow more time in air than most and more time on the ground. Your flight out will have arrived many hours before, they don't do quick turn rounds.
Don't take food into Australia - they don't like it! But things like chocolate are OK. Immigration is two phase, one for your passport and one for customs where they will probably xray your bags. They also don't find it funny when asked if you have any criminal convictions if you say that you didn't realise you needed them...
On the way back I assume you;ll be flying mid afternoon so you will get to AD between 10 and 11, the lounge is busy at that time. If you are going back to Manchester if you are lucky you;ll fly out of AD about 3 making it an OK stopover, if you are on the morning flight it's not so good, about 12 hours in AD. If the latter there is a quiet room in the lounge where you can sleep. If full when you get there it will empty in an hour or two, keep going back to ask, if they say they will come and find you when there is space don't believe them! There is also an airside hotel in AD where you can get a room but book in advance, it's in another terminal but that's just a walk from the terminal you are likely to be in.
At Manchester you are in the Servisair lounge, which isn't great. On board it is fine, the seats are typical lie flat jobs and the entertainment system is OK. Food is whatever you want from the menu when you want it. I'm not a fan of any airline food but their's is as good as any. There is as much alcohol as any other airline. If you get upgraded first gives you a little room/compartment of your own, but that would only be on the AD/Sydney leg.
Abu Dhabi airport is OK, you will be in the new terminal. Someone said that you have to go through security as you transfer, but that is normal these days. The lounge is a bit on the small side, there is a complementary spa, if you want something go there to book first - it's on your right hand side on the way in.
It is very likely your flight will be on time, they allow more time in air than most and more time on the ground. Your flight out will have arrived many hours before, they don't do quick turn rounds.
Don't take food into Australia - they don't like it! But things like chocolate are OK. Immigration is two phase, one for your passport and one for customs where they will probably xray your bags. They also don't find it funny when asked if you have any criminal convictions if you say that you didn't realise you needed them...
On the way back I assume you;ll be flying mid afternoon so you will get to AD between 10 and 11, the lounge is busy at that time. If you are going back to Manchester if you are lucky you;ll fly out of AD about 3 making it an OK stopover, if you are on the morning flight it's not so good, about 12 hours in AD. If the latter there is a quiet room in the lounge where you can sleep. If full when you get there it will empty in an hour or two, keep going back to ask, if they say they will come and find you when there is space don't believe them! There is also an airside hotel in AD where you can get a room but book in advance, it's in another terminal but that's just a walk from the terminal you are likely to be in.
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