Just arrived back in BNE on EY today in J (MUC-xAUH-BNE). I thought I'd put some thoughts together in the same vein as jpp42 while it's still fresh:
MUC-AUH - 6 hour flight (77W). Check-in at MUC was done by LH staff (with LH name tags). Quite quick, and apart from some oddities with the airport layout, I found the LH Business Lounge easily. It's a bit of a sad lounge unfortunately. The food on board was reasonably good - had a lamb dish for the main with some Haagen Dasz ice cream for dessert. Bottles of water were provided, and I ordered some other (non-alcoholic) drinks and a steak sandwich during the flight. Downside is that the plane is noticeably aging, and my aisle seat felt quite "exposed". Flight left slightly late due to the need for de-icing, but arrived a few minutes early. The staff on this flight were great and friendly.
AUH airport: Not sure I liked this! Fortunately we didn't get bus gates for either of the flights, but the transfer process was very long (lots of walking, then lines at transit security). Was the only airport on this trip where shoes needed to come off. The airport was packed and walking was very slow - especially through the mandatory march through the duty free shop. The premium lounge was fine - showers were plentiful but the ventilation was lacking (very stuffy and a slight musty smell). Food was generally fine, but I didn't eat too much as I was fed from the previous flight.
AUH-BNE - ~14 hour flight (787). The gate was fortunately very close to the lounge so only a short walk. The obligatory AU-bound bag checks had a long line, but as a J passenger we managed to 'jump the queue'. The flight left about half an hour late due to connecting passengers - heard some others on board saying that they took ages at transit security. I asked to be fed after sleeping which they happily agreed to - had the beef tenderloin which was quite well done. This seat was a lot better than on the first flight, but there must have been a slight malfunction as it kept on whirring when in the 'upright' position (thankfully it was silent when flat allowing me to sleep). Arrived a couple of minutes late, but we were told to stay in our seats as AQIS(?) officers were coming on board to inspect a sick passenger so by the time we got to the baggage carousels, most of the bags were out. The staff on this flight were helpful but a little less engaging compared to the first flight.
Just regarding @jpp42's comment about the meal options - I had made a selection for low-lactose meals for my wife prior to the flight but this selection had unfortunately not "stuck". She ended up finding a meal option in each segment that worked for her, and she topped up in the AUH premium lounge.
MUC-AUH - 6 hour flight (77W). Check-in at MUC was done by LH staff (with LH name tags). Quite quick, and apart from some oddities with the airport layout, I found the LH Business Lounge easily. It's a bit of a sad lounge unfortunately. The food on board was reasonably good - had a lamb dish for the main with some Haagen Dasz ice cream for dessert. Bottles of water were provided, and I ordered some other (non-alcoholic) drinks and a steak sandwich during the flight. Downside is that the plane is noticeably aging, and my aisle seat felt quite "exposed". Flight left slightly late due to the need for de-icing, but arrived a few minutes early. The staff on this flight were great and friendly.
AUH airport: Not sure I liked this! Fortunately we didn't get bus gates for either of the flights, but the transfer process was very long (lots of walking, then lines at transit security). Was the only airport on this trip where shoes needed to come off. The airport was packed and walking was very slow - especially through the mandatory march through the duty free shop. The premium lounge was fine - showers were plentiful but the ventilation was lacking (very stuffy and a slight musty smell). Food was generally fine, but I didn't eat too much as I was fed from the previous flight.
AUH-BNE - ~14 hour flight (787). The gate was fortunately very close to the lounge so only a short walk. The obligatory AU-bound bag checks had a long line, but as a J passenger we managed to 'jump the queue'. The flight left about half an hour late due to connecting passengers - heard some others on board saying that they took ages at transit security. I asked to be fed after sleeping which they happily agreed to - had the beef tenderloin which was quite well done. This seat was a lot better than on the first flight, but there must have been a slight malfunction as it kept on whirring when in the 'upright' position (thankfully it was silent when flat allowing me to sleep). Arrived a couple of minutes late, but we were told to stay in our seats as AQIS(?) officers were coming on board to inspect a sick passenger so by the time we got to the baggage carousels, most of the bags were out. The staff on this flight were helpful but a little less engaging compared to the first flight.
Just regarding @jpp42's comment about the meal options - I had made a selection for low-lactose meals for my wife prior to the flight but this selection had unfortunately not "stuck". She ended up finding a meal option in each segment that worked for her, and she topped up in the AUH premium lounge.
