Milboo
Established Member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2013
- Posts
- 1,398
Thought I would sum up my recent experiences on Etihad as a Gold FF on a VA marketed ticket.
SYD - AUH - check in at business counter but despite being there 10 mins after check in opened, could not secure an exit row or bulkhead seat. Bags tagged for priority. Express Pass available. No issues accessing Air NZ lounge. Refused priority boarding and redirected to economy line despite priority boarding being stated as benefit. Quick luggage in AUH.
AUH - LHR - dedicated check in area and security screening in AUH (awesome service). Baggage tagged as priority. Terminal 3 lounge not available and not walking all the way back to Terminal 1 - this needs to get sorted. No priority boarding offered unless Etihad Gold. Slow baggage at LHR and not out as priority.
CDG - SYD - CDG is an eye opener as being very dated. Business check in was swift and moved to an exit row without even asking and based on what I saw on board, they don't just fill the seats because people ask. No priority security clearance offered (although facility clearly there), no priority luggage tags and no priority boarding.
However the Etihad lounge is fantastic and was pretty quiet. Best omelette I've had! Although it was confusing as there was a breakfast buffet but no menu available - only knew to ask as others were saying cooked food. Service was a little scattered and forgetful too.
Overall, left with the feeling that if VA is going to code share then there needs to be better education of what benefits should be passed on to VA FFs.
SYD - AUH - check in at business counter but despite being there 10 mins after check in opened, could not secure an exit row or bulkhead seat. Bags tagged for priority. Express Pass available. No issues accessing Air NZ lounge. Refused priority boarding and redirected to economy line despite priority boarding being stated as benefit. Quick luggage in AUH.
AUH - LHR - dedicated check in area and security screening in AUH (awesome service). Baggage tagged as priority. Terminal 3 lounge not available and not walking all the way back to Terminal 1 - this needs to get sorted. No priority boarding offered unless Etihad Gold. Slow baggage at LHR and not out as priority.
CDG - SYD - CDG is an eye opener as being very dated. Business check in was swift and moved to an exit row without even asking and based on what I saw on board, they don't just fill the seats because people ask. No priority security clearance offered (although facility clearly there), no priority luggage tags and no priority boarding.
However the Etihad lounge is fantastic and was pretty quiet. Best omelette I've had! Although it was confusing as there was a breakfast buffet but no menu available - only knew to ask as others were saying cooked food. Service was a little scattered and forgetful too.
Overall, left with the feeling that if VA is going to code share then there needs to be better education of what benefits should be passed on to VA FFs.
