Cost cutting off the scale....

[QFflyermelbourne]

https://www.ausbt.com.au/etihad-scraps-free-chauffeur-drive-for-business-first-class

Not driver even in first! Etihad must be in dire straights...

 

[Denali]

Seems we will still get our driver for our booking but will see.

Etihad says that first and business class tickets issued prior to 3 July 2017 "will not be affected by these changes and will receive complimentary chauffeur service across destinations where the service is currently offered."

 

[DaveB]

Amazed they're dropping the service, particularly for F as differentiation with J very blurred.

AUH has to be easily the worst for Euro transits with the bus ride, poor entry and exit transit checks and the few lounge shower booths making it improbable for transits under two hours.

F flight to AUH last month very underwhelming with 2 of the 4 entre's soups and both entre and main meal selections by wife and I already run out and no longer available .

 

[Flying Fox]

Amazed they're dropping the service, particularly for F as differentiation with J very blurred.

Agreed.

Thankfully Residence customers will still have access. So sad.

 

[squeeze72]

I too received the email informing of the changes. After losing the 380 in October and now the chauffeur i think my loyalties will change and be looking at a different carrier. I'd finally made gold guest too.

 

[spudseamus]

So disappointing to see this happening . Luckily I have booked and paid for a trip to Dublin and have been assured that I will get the chauffeur as per booking . We will see ! I'm booked on the last inward flight of the A380 to Mel in Oct . I do like EY for my flights in J. But with all this cost cutting perhaps I will have to look to other carriers to Dub in future.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

If much more of this keeps happening I'd be more worried about the airline existing to honour your booking than whether you were getting a driver before or after it...

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

Looks like the ME3 may finally have to compete on a more commercial basis. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Won take much of a fall in international travel to see them in dire straits. Just a slow in the growth and low oil prices is already hobbling them.

 

[darraghk]

Dropping it in F is very embarrassing.

 

[IrishPete]

It could be worse. You could be booked with Qatar.

Seriously, any flight through the Middle East carries all kinds of risks. There aren't a whole lot of alternatives. Singapore Air is probably the only one I would seriously consider, but I'm still stuck on my "most direct route to Dublin" airline...

 

[spudseamus]

Do we have Qatar as well now?

 

[IrishPete]

Not to my knowledge. I don't know what the OP's route was.

 

[darraghk]

Qatar started flying to Dublin this month in a Shiny 787

 

[IrishPete]

Qatar started flying to Dublin this month in a Shiny 787

Thanks. I didn't know that. There were rumours earlier in the year that Qatar would start flying from Canberra, which potentially could give me a one-stop journey to Ireland. If Qatar manages to remain an independent state...

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Not sure how recent all of these changes are, but EY have also dumped amenity kits on the sectors between AUH and Europe, cut the menus in all lounges. At the AUH F lounge dinner is still decent in quality, though reduced choice (no more tasting menu), but breakfast choices are woeful. At the outstation lounges, the a la carte menu is now just small dishes, and no more signature coughtails.

Also seems to me like there's less proactive offer of pre-departure champagne or drink refills on board, but with EY I guess this could also just be inconsistent crew.

Amazed they cut the chauffeur for F as well, not just J!

 

[IrishPete]

Not sure how recent all of these changes are, but EY have also dumped amenity kits on the sectors between AUH and Europe, cut the menus in all lounges. At the AUH F lounge dinner is still decent in quality, though reduced choice (no more tasting menu), but breakfast choices are woeful. At the outstation lounges, the a la carte menu is now just small dishes, and no more signature coughtails.

Also seems to me like there's less proactive offer of pre-departure champagne or drink refills on board, but with EY I guess this could also just be inconsistent crew.

Amazed they cut the chauffeur for F as well, not just J!

Interesting, because in the Economy longhaul (Melbourne to Abu Dhabi and v.v in the last month) they now have cute little draw-string cloth bags with very basic amenities, including eye mask and ear plugs.

 

[alexy23]

Was asking EY whilst on the phone upgrading from EY451 to EY455 today. They mentioned the chauffeur services will be available for a fee as of 3rd July. Wouldn't give details on the fee, but would recommend people to benchmark against Uber Black when it's announced.

Also must note the Unity Executive Services here in SYD have been giving me hassle saying that as of 1st July they are no longer taking care of EY services and have been it's been re-contracted and that they will not be picking me up. They wouldn't state who or what will. EY advised this is not the case. Once again EY is terrible at communication - even with their suppliers it seems. I told Unity they should inform their clients via email as EY haven't said anything.