What is up with Etihad's Australian operations?

[Melburnian1]

Some YouTube reviews of EY (not necessarily on the Australian routes) show what seems to be sloppy food presentation.

Is the cost cutting that EY supposedly had some time ago affecting food quality, and is it truly 'dine on demand' on all long/medium haul routes i.e. including AUH to LHR/Europe?

 

[Saab34]

Which cabin? Old folks just want to LHR and back in J and gave them 10/10

 

[jase05]

Some YouTube reviews of EY (not necessarily on the Australian routes) show what seems to be sloppy food presentation.

Is the cost cutting that EY supposedly had some time ago affecting food quality, and is it truly 'dine on demand' on all long/medium haul routes i.e. including AUH to LHR/Europe?

It’s been about 12 months since my last flights with EY but was absolutely dine on demand and the food and service was excellent. I have seen reports that it has dropped off though unfortunately

 

[tmdl]

My in-laws flew the 777 in J (MEL - AUH - LHR) in June 2024 and said the food was good but the wines were below average. They said EK was a far more superior in terms of food and wine.

I have been to the MEL 'The House' and it looks like a shell of its former glory, entered via Priority Pass & paid for the premium drinks but was told we don't have any, asked for Moet Champagne and had to speak with a manager to finally have this addressed.

I have never personally flown on EY but from what I've seen and heard it doesn't really entice me especially since you cant book J & F seats beyond 30 days on VV.

 

[Melburnian1]

Which cabin? Old folks just want to LHR and back in J and gave them 10/10

Yes, I was referring to J not Y or F.

 

[winterblue]

Some YouTube reviews of EY (not necessarily on the Australian routes) show what seems to be sloppy food presentation.

Is the cost cutting that EY supposedly had some time ago affecting food quality, and is it truly 'dine on demand' on all long/medium haul routes i.e. including AUH to LHR/Europe?

Yes. And the food was excellent.

 

[HS-TQE]

Ironically with the cut back operations to Australia on EY, Borghetti's BFF and former Etihad CEO Hogan has complained on the News Corp Paywall that "Shrinking won't become profitable"

Because spending the Abu Dhabi's government's credit card on extravagance, fast growth and failed overseas investments really worked for Etihad didn't it?

FB Post Source (actual article on The Australian is paywalled)

https://www.facebook.com/theaustralian/posts/pfbid02CG4NSFn1QuNsQEgPZtsPhExXzpDVNezMho4XWFqasuqoTYjnKPbFjjLCajDTkNKbl

 

[Saab34]

Something he and Borgehtti had in common, built a great product, but had no financial discipline. Both carriers have since only really become successful after a balance sheet cleanse thanks to a disease outbreak.

I do with EY would bring the A350/380 back to both cities here. And kickstart at least Perth again, and double daily MEL/SYD.

 

[tmdl]

Something he and Borgehtti had in common, built a great product, but had no financial discipline. Both carriers have since only really become successful after a balance sheet cleanse thanks to a disease outbreak.

I do with EY would bring the A350/380 back to both cities here. And kickstart at least Perth again, and double daily MEL/SYD.

Plus strengthen the wine list, EK is serving wines in the $100-$250AUD mark and EY is serving $20-50AUD wines.

 

[zsw]

Recently flew Etihad Melbourne to Europe in Y and would have the say the food was probably the best I've had in economy in the past 12 months (have flown Emirates, Singapore, Turkish, Qantas, China Southern in same time period in Y). Maybe didn't have the presentation of others but it was delicious.

No problems accessing house on Virgin Gold and getting premium drinks.

 

[tmdl]

Recently flew Etihad Melbourne to Europe in Y and would have the say the food was probably the best I've had in economy in the past 12 months (have flown Emirates, Singapore, Turkish, Qantas, China Southern in same time period in Y). Maybe didn't have the presentation of others but it was delicious.

No problems accessing house on Virgin Gold and getting premium drinks.

Did you get Champagne?

 

[zsw]

Did you get Champagne?

Yep, Moet in the lounge once you present your Etihad boarding pass. The bar tender informed me that only Etihad flights get Moet.

 

[HS-TQE]

I do with EY would bring the A350/380 back to both cities here. And kickstart at least Perth again, and double daily MEL/SYD.

Considering reports on a.net that EY and NZ have cut back / drawn down their partnership suggests that EY (unfortunately for some Etihad Guest FFs) views the wider Australasia market as less of a priority. I'd suspect more medium-haul turns are more profitable for EY then consuming more aircraft on Australian operations.

Combine the scaled back NZ partnership with the minor largely unilateral partnership with VA in Australia. EY may likely struggle on the Australian POS when EY is up alone against the QF/EK and VA/QR teams.

 

[SCM]

After visiting the first class lounge at Abu Dhabi, I think I'll just always travel EY now, will utilise this plat benefit as long as it lasts. Frequently their flight has a long layover which is perfect, can sleep for $100 in the hotel (way better value than business class or premium economy imo), and get the best food and wine in the first class lounge before the last leg to Europe.

 

[tmdl]

After visiting the first class lounge at Abu Dhabi, I think I'll just always travel EY now, will utilise this plat benefit as long as it lasts. Frequently their flight has a long layover which is perfect, can sleep for $100 in the hotel (way better value than business class or premium economy imo), and get the best food and wine in the first class lounge before the last leg to Europe.

Any idea of the wine list in the F lounge?

 

[lovelystuff]

Just flown the Etihad Abu Dhabi -> Sydney in the 777 EY 454 route and its the worst flight I've ever been on.

It was absolutely packed, no spare seats, screens were old and didnt work.

Dreading the return leg. Bring back the A380 please Etihad!!

 

[Saab34]

Just flown the Etihad Abu Dhabi -> Sydney in the 777 EY 454 route and its the worst flight I've ever been on.

It was absolutely packed, no spare seats, screens were old and didnt work.

Dreading the return leg. Bring back the A380 please Etihad!!

Which cabin?

 

[lovestotravel]

Just flown the Etihad Abu Dhabi -> Sydney in the 777 EY 454 route and its the worst flight I've ever been on.

It was absolutely packed, no spare seats, screens were old and didnt work.

Dreading the return leg. Bring back the A380 please Etihad!!

The 777's should have been upgraded ages ago, not set to start until 2026

 

[lovelystuff]

it was Economy extra legroom. Like flying in an overcrowded bus.

Post automatically merged: Oct 1, 2024

Does Etihad have any plans to bring back the A380 for the Abu Dhabi to Sydney route? I heard they were increasing the number of flights next year.

 

[Melburnian1]

Does Etihad have any plans to bring back the A380 for the Abu Dhabi to Sydney route? I heard they were increasing the number of flights next year.

EY begins flying from AUH to CDG (Paris) from 1 November 2024 with the fifth A388 to return to service of its fleet of 10.

On 1 February 2025, it launches an A380 on the AUH to SIN route, requiring a sixth A380 to be operable.

https://www.etihad.com/en-au/news/etihad-boosts-network-across-asia-iconic-a380-heads-east-to-singapore-and-thailand-network-goes-tridaily

It doesn't appear to have said anything about (re)introducing the A380 to SYD, nor could I with a quick look find any media indicating what the fate of the four remaining A380s it has will be. The CEO has however been positive about these gigantic planes, stating that the A380s will be in service until 2032, so make of that what you will.

While yields are crucial, EY is enjoying high load factors on its network so that may help to buttress the case for further A380s to reenter service. I don't know if any of the four have been cannibalised for spare parts.