Etihad Airways

Have flown Etihad for many years. My last trip has made me somewhat less enthusiastic. Issues started when I went to KL Ticket Office to change my flights. They changed flights for GBP300 per seat, used to be GBP175 and told me I could no longer have a car from Heathrow to my home at the end of the journey. I explained that I was offered a car when I made the booking, but they said the fare rules had now changed and I was no longer entitled a car. After much complaining and nearly an hour waiting I finally got to speak with the local General Manager. I again stressed I had been offered a car when the booking was made, so I felt they could not simply change the rules. Eventually after 4 days of back and to emails, they confirmed the car from Heathrow. Check in is always a disaster, ditto the Lounge they use. With a couple of flights a day and now with First Class they should either choose a new partner or open their own lounge. The Emirates Lounge is fantastic at KLIA. Flights okay, service and quality of food definitely on the down swing. It's okay but used to be great. Bigger planes mean less attention for passengers which is were Etihad scored in the past. A re-think maybe, before Qatar Airways or Emirates (even BA) start to steal your premium passengers on this route.

This is the first time we have flown with Etihad Airways and it will be the last. Manchester to Phuket in March, returning 20th June. Both times transferring in Abu Dhabi. Not impressed with either the airline or Abu Dhabi Airport. Our transfer time outbound was 1.5hrs. Very long taxiway, then bus to the terminal. After passing through security "last call" was being announced for our flight to Phuket. And we still had to run from T1 to T3. Somewhat better on the return trip, with just over 3 hours transfer time. At the time of booking our flights we were informed that it would be A330s all the way. But 3 of the 4 flights were changed to Boeing 777's, one of them without informing us. Seating on the aeroplanes was not good - cramped, not much leg room. Cabin crew were not at all friendly, in fact, rather surly. Food was far from good, in fact inedible. The only thing we can't complain about - no delays - all flights either on time or early. However, on arrival back in Manchester 1 suitcase did not arrive. At least 4 or 5 other passengers from the same flight experienced the same thing. In fact one told us that he had flown with Etihad 3 times in the last 2 weeks - each time at least 1 bag was delayed. I can update progress, having just rung Etihad, the lost bag arrived on this morning's flight. Will hopefully arrive by courier later today. We had to ring them, the website was no help at all.

On 15th June I flew Etihad Airways Frankfurt to Kuala Lumpur via Abu Dhabi. Their inflight entertainment was good and the new soft neck pillow was a nice touch to help sleep during the long flight. I found that the food quality has deteriorated considerably from last time I traveled Etihad, not too long ago. The portions were small and the food was not tasty. Just before landing a muffin was offered with tea or coffee. This seems that the airline is cutting cost on their food. The crew seemed to be friendly and attentive. The transfer of passengers from the plane in Abu Dhabi to the main arrival hall in a bus is very uncomfortable because in sweltering heat it is hard to walk up to the bus especially for the elderly. I hope Etihad takes into account these points if they care for the economy passengers.

The flights I paid for were Muscat to Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi to Rome and Rome to Florence. I was forced to fly on Air Berlin Abu Dhabi to Stuttgart (modified without any explanation) and Stuttgart to Florence (modified). It included low cost longer flights and intermediate technical stopover in Bucharest. The Air Berlin Abu Dhabi to Stuttgart was the worst flight I ever experienced. Airplane was old, uncomfortable, with features which were common in airplanes of 90s. As my ticket was paid to Etihad I charge them responsibility for it. I have never been given any explanation. I guess that it was due to a mix of overbooking and lack of care to the people whom are flying in economy class. I will never fly Etihad again.

My flight from Tokyo Narita to Abu Dhabi left on time. The food and service was good, and the economy seat was comfortable. Would definitely recommend Etihad Airways on this sector.

I traveled twice this month with Etihad and I feel I made a bad decision. A list of whats bad is much longer than whats good. In short, poor products, service, impolite cabin crew, inadequate food, delayed flights and cramped seats made my experience very bad. While booking through their site, it hung up half way and did not continue. Restarted and tried again twice, again it did not work. I had to call their call center and complain, them book on the phone. I was travelling with an infant. No infant bassinets were available on both trips. Its an easy excuse for them to say "first come first serve basis" and "limited bassinets available". What's the point of advertising a nanny when even bassinets are not available. On the flight the flight was delayed departing the gate by 40 minutes. To add insult to injury, the temperature was far too hot. Every few minutes there were loud announcements that woke up all sleeping babies. The meal was limited and very ordinary for a "premium" airline. The quantity was less too. The cabin crew on both trips were neither helpful nor knowledgeable. I asked for vegetarian food and was given an omelette, despite me having made a request for vegetarian meal without eggs during reservation. When I pointed this to the cabin crew, the purser was very casual and unprofessional with his response. The entertainment system did not work for 40 minutes for no one in the flight, it only displayed route map and nothing else. The collection was not impressive either. I called the cabin crew multiple times, they said they would come back, but didn't come back. In Dubai I had to wait 3 hours for the shuttle bus. The seats were very cramped. Small narrow bodied planes not comfortable to get in or out. During my onward trip, it was ridiculous to see that the bus we were transported from the terminal to the plane was the last one, despite being told that we were given a priority as we had infants. The bus with infants were the last to board.

I flew a few months ago and chose Etihad because they were the cheapest airline. When we arrived at the airport we were greeted by friendly check in assistant - we had no reserved seats like we had asked for at booking and they changed our seats with no hassle. Onboard the seats were comfortable and inflight entertainment up to a fairly standard quality although some of the selection was a little sparse. Abu Dhabi airport was not one of the most pleasant airports I have been through. On the next stretch of the flight there were issues in that the food service seemed unorganised and random with people sat right next to me getting served 30 minutes before I was and there seemed to be no system in place. The aircraft clean and modern. On the stretch back the service was spotty again. Overall the flight was very good although not without its problems.

Very overrated airline. Flight one hour late, uncomfortable seats, warm champagne and stingy food portions. The premium lounge at AUH was decent and crew service was ok, but in all other departments Etihad is disappointing. The narrow bodied planes used on Indian routes do not give a premium experience.

Seats are comfortable, staff are friendly and professional. Left on time. The only downside to this was that there were far too many announcements. On my flight back to Abu Dhabi from Kuwait, I was surprised to hear an announcement on the list of gates the transits will be at and to which destination. I do not know if those who are transiting will be paying any attention or remember which gate.

I have flown twice with Etihad in the last week. It was a complete disaster on both flights. Cabin Crew were unprofessional. English announcements were hardly understandable and they kept making announcements once every half an hour during the whole flights - which were both night flights! Neither sleeping nor watching movies was possible this way. Cabin temperature regulation was a mess - passengers in the first 15 rows could not take off enough clothes to deal with the heat while the others in the back were fighting for blankets, of which there were not enough for everybody. Fish for dinner was not cooked properly. Beer and white wine served at the same temperature as the coffee - ridiculous!