Etihad from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi

[pn1]

Next month I travel from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi on EY 463 and return on EY 460.

Bookings were made some time ago. I abide by the PPPP rule; prior preparation prevents poor performance. But this time I seem to have taken my eye off the ball. Today I've been reading reviews of EY on several websites and am rather concerned. Particularly about "brutal" customer and inflight service and a poor general travel experience, particularly on services to and from Australia.

I have travelled a fair bit in my retirement years and must say I've never experienced a really bad flight. Maybe that's about to change?

I'm travelling alone on the forward trip. My partner follows eight days later and we return together from Berlin to Melbourne (via Abu Dhabi).

I chose to be ticketed Air Berlin on the recommendation of a travel agent and also the flight times suited my requirements.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or tips.

Paul

 

[TomVexille]

I have only flown EY once. In Y, SIN-BNE. It was fine. It certainly wan't good, but it wasn't bad either.

 

[RooFlyer]

You don't say what cabin (class) you are travelling in. Can I assume whY?

Having travelled both ends of the plane on the three Gulf carriers, I think its fair to say that service for business/first pax is above average; experience for whY passengers is below average, but not disastrous, unless you get a "bad flight" which, frankly, can happen with any airline. Often the surrounding passengers (ie how they behave) are part of the reason for a poor flight.

One of the issues on Gulf carriers is the attitude of some passengers to the flight attendants - can be very rude and demanding.

I wouldn't stress too much. When you get on board be very friendly to the flight attendants and single yourself out as nice. Hopefully they will reciprocate, even if those around you are 'difficult'.

 

[spudseamus]

I have only ever flown up the pointy end with EY and I concur with others that it was splendid . I do think a lot of the grumpy ,not all, posts we see are in part to do with the FA thinking " I am a mirror to your attitude " as I've been on a flight that I'm sure a pax was going to put in a complaint against a FA but I did the opposite on the same flight . She was an absolute joy to fly with !

 

[bam71]

I do believe Etihad know their Y product is lacking, and they don't really care. The money is up the pointy end.

 

[Dalescott]

Mrs Dalescott has flown both J and Y in Etihad, and was not that excited by it. She like SIA or CX, even QF above them.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I do believe Etihad know their Y product is lacking, and they don't really care. The money is up the pointy end.

LCCs aside.. most airlines would take the view that premium cabins are the focus.
If you're flying down the back - you can't reasonably expect VIP first class treatment, and a real challenge for an airline like Etihad is how to deliver a personalised experience to 40 million economy passengers each year. I'm not sure the Y product is lacking so much as the overall experience being hampered by outgrowing existing airport facilities in AUH and other ports.

Compounding this is each traveller will value different aspects of their journey. SQ and CX are very good in their own right but like any airline you can't please 100% of pax 100% of the time.

 

[surpher]

I've flown Melbourne - Abu Dhabi a couple weeks back in J. I wasn't expecting much except to be fast tracked, left alone by the staff and not have most of the butts and bellyfat being pushed into my face when I sat in my seat while other passengers were walking down the aisle or dealing with the above head compartments. I got what I was hoping for and was more than happy about it.

Apart from that, Etihad lounge was also quite good with good food and great service.

 

[yohy?!]

ive found EY pretty good in Y, the IFE screen was fuzzy but apart from that the food, seat and service were all above average for a global carrier. i didnt ask for any special requests or require any service recovery from the crew so that may be where their weakness lies?

 

[scwappy]

I am about to travel on the 380 tomorrow so will let you know my experience. I have also read the reviews and became a little concerned. I have friends however that have travelled with them and found them fine. Here's hoping its an average to excellent experience.

 

[scwappy]

Here in AUH and cannot fault the experience so far. Fab lounge in Melbourne. Great coughtails, food and staff. Had paid for extra leg room seat on 380 and it was worth the money. Seats are a little hard but any would be for 14 hours. Offered water or juice on boarding, first choice meal and served first being velocity gold. Best status recognition in economy I've ever had. Quick transit and an in the Al Dhabi lounge using priority pass. Certainly a passable lounge with showers and food not look too bad. Crew ranged from lovely (most) to indifferent, but received anything whenever I asked.

I don't think the next hop will be as good but will keep you posted.

 

[tdpali]

Flight is OK in the back of the A380. Service is great, airplane food is airplane food. No different to other airlines. Great entertainment system, with my own headphones.