Etihad Airways Passenger Reviews and Etihad Airways Customer Trip Reports

JKT-AUH-Frankfurt (Return). Overall disappointed with ground service of Etihad, the security procedure was exaggerated. Usually the checking procedure is done by airport authority, but Etihad also do it, manually, not by scanner, so it's very uncomfortable and too long. Overall service on the plane is fair, food and cabin crew OK, inflight entertainment is not that new. The worst experience was the check-in crew in Frankfurt, very impolite. Overall very disappointing.

Bahrain-Abu Dhabi-Prague (operated by Czech Airlines) - Abu Dhabi-Bangkok-Abu Dhabi-Bahrain. The best part was the one operated by Czech Airlines (A319). Abu Dhabi - Bangkok return (777-300) in 3x4x3 configuration, very poor seat pitch, width, and access. I was happy that the trip lasted only six hours. The claimed best airline should go Czech Airlines, with better seats and services than Etihad.

I travelled from Sydney to Manchester (via Abu Dhabi) alone with my 9 month old baby. I found the FA's to be rude and unhelpful. When ever I attempted to call for assistance (which was rare), either no-one would come or I would have to push the button several times. When I asked for my baby bottles to be rinsed with hot water, the FA suggested that I do it myself in the bathroom as it would be quicker. Return trip was a nightmare and the reason I chose to fly with Etihad was because I had heard good reports of their service for families/children. I would not recommend flying with them with a baby, plus the baby bassinet was too small for my 9mo (8kgs) at the time where online it states that it fits up to a 10 month old baby and 10ks. Overall I was very disappointed with this airline and I will be going back to flying with Singapore Airlines.

Flew from Athens to Abu Dhabi then onto Sydney before going with Virgin to Auckland. The Virgin flight was the best of all by far. Etihad had very little leg room and every flight with them was over an hour late. When we arrived at Abu Dhabi 1.5 hours late we were told to run to the next gate. We did only to find that flight was delayed for an hour and a half. The communication was really poor the airline staff were too busy arguing with the ground staff to talk to their customers. The plane was also really hot with no air con, kids were screaming and staff just stood around talking. Mothers had to ask for cold water. No where near as good as Emirates!

I flew with a 4 week old baby from Sydney to Dublin via Abu Dhabi. Any time I asked for water I was handed a small glass which contained a tiny amount. I eventually went to the service area to ask for a bottle of water to be told they could not give it to me. I asked the FA if she cold pass me down my bag from the overhead locker after we had taken off as I needed to change the baby and she said she would come back to me. 10 mins later she hadn't come back and as I was alone I had no one to had the baby to so I could get what I needed from the locker. I had to ask for the sky cot on every flight. I found staff unfriendly and unhelpful. I have flown with them many times but I have to say my experience flying with a young baby was much less than satisfactory.

AUH-DUS Business class. Decent A330. Flight supposed to take off from Etihad terminal 3, but boarding gate changed to terminal 1, lots of pax were not aware and almost missed their flight. Terminal 1 is like a Zoo, always crowded with no seats, the same applies to the Etihad business class lounge which is nice, but so overcrowded in the late evening, that I decided to wait in the departure lounge. Seat was very long and flat, but narrow seat which makes sleeping difficult. Food was basically economy class on China, nothing to shout about. Overall very average and I puzzled how this carrier can claim to be one of the world leading airlines!

LHR-AUH-KUL 15th June, Check in was quick, staff helpful and polite, used the business lounge in Heathrow, superb service and food. Arrived at the gate to be told we had been upgraded to first. Greeted by Chef who was professional but friendly at the same time without being intrusive. Food delicious and plenty of champagne on offer. All crew on this flight were brilliant. AUH to KUL, whilst lounge at Abu Dhabi busy we were able to get something to eat and drink quite easily, we were in the old business class seat which was a little disappointing, crew were attentive. Return, first leg in the new business seat, a vast improvement and far more pleasing on the eye. Again could not fault the crew. We will seriously consider flying first with Etihad as the business class product is too inconsistent, you just dont know which seat version you will end up with.

MEL-MAN first class to Abu Dhabi then business on the leg to Manchester. I received a phone call saying the departure is likely to be delayed by an hour which was appreciated. Car service was great, easy ride in and on time. Checking in was slow but the fast-track security was great as I was in the lounge within 10 minutes. Etihad use the new Zealand lounge at Melbourne which is very average and shabby. In the end the flight was 2 hours delayed. Boarding smooth and the first class experience was excellent. Very attentive but discreet service. The suite is on par with the Emirates first class offering but the food wins hands-down. Sleeping was easy and comfortable. The entertainment was fine. The whole experience started to go downhill upon arrival into Abu Dhabi. The walk between transfer gates was really long. We arrived in the nice new terminal and left from the older one. Business class lounge wasn't great and staff on the ground were curt. They do security at the gate and it was a total shambles with one scanner and one massive queue for the whole aircraft. On board the staff were great, much more friendly service than in first class - less formal. Again the food was a winner. I was in the old business class seats and it felt somewhat cramped. I'm 5'11 and did manage to lay out sideways and slept. Overall I enjoyed the flights but not the transfer, it was chaotic and staff there really let Etihad down.

We had a nightmare experience on a leg of return Manchester via Abu Dhabi to Sydney recently. A 13 hour delay at Abu Dhabi airport, with boarding on and off an overheated plane lasting an hour or so each time. We sat in almost unbearable hot conditions on the tarmac while mechanics attempted to fix the air-conditioning. The staff and management need to communicate more with passengers. No proper announcements were made and it was difficult to find out what was happening or how long we would be waiting. Drinks and food vouchers were given between boardings, but not even water was offered during last hour of delay on tarmac. Overall a very stressful experience.

LHR-BKK-LHR. All flights pretty much on time. Online check-in problematic on the return leg since despite their assurances Etihad didn't open their online check-in 24hrs before flight time. This would not be a problem but for the fact I knew I'd be late getting to the airport and I'd gone to the trouble of getting to an internet cafe specifically to be able to check-in online. 1 hour later it was still not open and I had to give up. Other than that the flights were fine with better food and cabin service than Emirates and maybe not quite as good as Qatar. Flights all very full, but cabin service was very good on all legs. IFE probably not quite as good as Emirates but transiting through Abu Dhabi is far better than Dubai or Doha. Great price and I'll use them again.

Bangkok to Dublin via Abu Dhabi. 777-300 out of Bangkok to Abu Dhabi return and A330-300 Abu Dhabi to Dublin return. Concerned with the use of the 777 since the cabin configuration is 3-4-3 whereas Qatar is 3-3-3 . I'm tall at 1.81m and felt a bit tight but was not uncomfortable. Sat at the back as the last few rows the seat configuration becomes 2-3-2 due to a narrowing of the aircraft. Meal service was good and by the time they got to the back they had a choice of 3 meals. Wine service was good with extra large glasses being used and offered beverage service 3 times. Entertainment was good enough. Cabin crew seemed to be out and about the whole flight. Snack service before arrival. New terminal in Abu Dhabi is very good with free wifi and free use of computers and showers with decent coffee shop. Time passed quickly before boarding the Dublin flight. A330-300 used on this sector and due to the late take off at 2.30am they serve a snack to everybody in a bag so you could sleep and full breakfast of 3 choices before arriving. Again good efficient service. Return was similar with same standards. All flights fairly full with no extra seats but plenty of warm blankets. I thought the service was good and the aircraft comfortable on all flights thought I feel the 777 has a bit more leg room. If I had a choice I would still fly Qatar but they don't fly to Dublin.

MAN-AUH-MAA. Out on 7th July return 3rd August. A330-200 to AUH found seats a little on the narrow side but plenty of leg room. With reasonable food and excellent service including several drink runs. AUH to Chennai on A320 which seemed to have wider and more comfortable seats. Interesting to note that on boarding aircraft the steward at rear of aircraft asked where we had arrived from and were we happy with the cabin service on that flight!

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