Hi everyone,
I just returned from Moscow via AUH (a380) and I have to say i was really disappointed.
From Moscow to AUH there were minor issues such as slow service and rude FA's but on our major leg from AUH to Melbourne I was really shocked. Approx 10minutes after boarding I was offered a welcome drink of water or juice (no champagne which was today I could have after take off), another 15 minutes for pyjamas and slippers (another 10mins for my husband to receive) no FA's introduced themselves, welcomed me aboard, or used my name (this is understandable considering how many people are in J on this plane but they still lacked professionalism or passion....the staff came off aloof and bored. After taking my order for breakfast (which I found very limited ESP compared to SQ) the attendant said for me to call her as soon as I was ready to sleep so she could make my bed. Approx one hour later I pressed the call bell, waited over 5 minutes and asked the FA (different one to whom took my breakfast order) if she could make my bed for me. I was met wth a very annoyed facial expression and after a few seconds of arkward silence a very rude comment that "don't I know I do this myself!?"I have never used Etihad business before So I was unsure of the process, however I had already tried reclining the seat myself but nothing happened. When I asked this FA how to do it myself she sighed with frustration and showed me the lit buttons to use. I then explained I had tried that and it didn't work. She no kindly responded with "fine, let me do it for you" . Yet again, the seat would not recline. At this point she walked off and another FA came over to fix my seat.
I felt stupid for thinking there would be a mattress topper and that staff would want to make the bed for me. Yet as I was departing the plane I saw that many other seats did have a mattress topper. This annoyed me to no end.
Upon breakfast time I was asked again to make an order and even then only half of it was delivered. The hash brown was cold and completely wet, my one half slice of toast crumbled to pieces when I bit into it, and I only had one mouthful of my Omlette. My husband ordered the same meal but was also given a chocolate crissoant, plain crissoant but no toast. He had no condiments for his plain crissoant.
I personally find the cabin over cluttered and lacking in privacy for middle seats (wanted to sit next to husband) I could see everything the passenger on the window side was doing and the passenger sitting behind him in the rear facing seat kept looking over at what I was doing.
Furthermore at no point did any FA's collect any rubbish including the large plastic sheet from the blanket, and took ages to clear plates. I was never asked by staff if I would like/need anything else and was also treated as though I was complaining when I simply let them know the water sensor was not working in the toilet.
Maybe I am just expecting too much but after flying SQ business where the FA's can't do enough for you or even business on Qantas or Virgin where they welcome you, use your name, remember your orders, bring service promptly and make your bed. I'm also used to a large selection of food/drink and FA's excited to bring you numerous amounts of each (I couldn't decide on desserts on SQ so they gave me both, I didn't want any of the magazines she offered so she asked what ones I would liked to read etc.)
So, after this experience I am wondering am I missing something?? Was this just an "off" experience or have other people experienced the same kind of boredom and rudeness from staff in J? Also I noticed people rave about seats on Etihad a380 and whilst I must say their bed is the best I've had, I hated the cabins and would much prefer the 1-2-1 seat allocations such as on SQ. So, is there a reason people still often prefer Etihad and adore the a380?
