Etihad Airways

Recently travelled to Abu Dhabi from Manchester return. Flight EY021 and EY022. My family and I had flown with Etihad in the past and vowed never to go with them again. We decided to give them a 2nd chance what a mistake to make. The plane looked tired and the seats looked dirty. The seats were positively the most uncomfortable I have had the misfortune of sitting in hardly any space at all. The service was poor and the food awful. I can definitely say I will not be travelling with them again.

EY15 Abu Dhabi to Manchester approx 7hrs. Firstly seat remained in upright position for whole journey (night flight) staff unable to rectify. The cabin was absolutely freezing. Many people wearing overcoats to counter this. I was dressed appropriately for the flight and used the blanket and pillow provided and was still stone cold. Surely this isn't acceptable. Will never fly with them again.

Round trip AKL-SYD-AUH-FRA-AUH-SYD-AKL. First time with Etihad: Flight and service was average but despite the fact I had boarding passes already for the whole trip I needed to queue again at every single stop over airport to have the boarding pass rechecked by Etihad staff. Airport in Abu Dhabi was completely overloaded and couldn't cope with people moving to their connecting gate. But worst thing was the luggage handling! I can't recommend Etihad at all.

Travelled EY38 on 24 Dec 2013. Service was horrible. Stewardess did not smile. My sister and I asked for pasta upon hearing that the stewardess replied rudely that she needed to check and she cannot guaranteed that both of us would get our choice of meals. We told her politely that we could not take the other meal choice due to the meat. She replied coldly we should have asked for special meal. We understand that we cannot guarantee to have our choice of meals given a full flight. However the stewardess could told us politely. This is certainly not the service that I expected. This is the first and last time I will travel with Etihad.

Round-trip SYD-AUH-SYD. Overall excellent experience on all counts. Friendly and courteous staff. The service on the flight was excellent and staff addressed me by name. Cabin Manager came around to make personal introduction and to explain flight amenities. Food was outstanding and the wine choices were top notch. Wouldn't hesitate to fly with Etihad again. Entertainment selection also excellent for long journey.

Travelled from Manchester to Sydney on 11 February have to say Etihad proved that deserves another chance. Despite my previous experience I booked with them and this time it was a pleasant surprise. Food was average but service much better than last time. The legroom was way too small they should consider updating their config for these long routes. Ground services maybe the worst of all the airlines. However I might consider flying them again.

Flew Manchester-Abu Dhabi-Bangkok. Chauffeur picked us up at the arranged time. Check in at Manchester was seem less. Etihad lounge at Manchester is first class with very attentive staff. Etihad business class seat is a little bit narrow and anyone over 6 foot won't be able to lie flat. All seats have direct access to the aisles. If you want privacy I recommend the window seats. The paired seats are very intimate. Food and beverages very satisfactory as too was the service from the cabin crew. Very basic amenity kit was given. Changing terminals in Abu Dhabi was chaotic. Baggage first off the carousel in Bangkok.

18th January EY0455 SYD-AUH. Flight back to Sydney on 5th February EY0454. Recently flew from Sydney to Geneva. The Boeing 777 is a horrible aircraft with cramped kindergarten seats and aisles so narrow that one cannot walk to the bathroom without bumping the shoulders of sleeping passengers. Will not fly with them again.

I had been traveling Etihad for the past 3 years twice a year Business Class KWI-AUH-MNL back and forth. Food comfort and cabin crew are superb. Leaves and arrives on time. Now my only issue was when I am flying AUH-KWI. At Abu Dhabi Airport terminal waiting area Business Class passengers were being treated as Economy Class. For the past 2 flights going back to Kuwait I experienced that there is no special or separate bus for Business Class passengers. We were all being mixed with Economy Class passengers on a single bus. Before Business Class passengers always had a separate bus and had priority on boarding the bus and plane. There used to be a lane for Business Class. As I had mentioned for the past 2 flights I had AUH-KWI this does not happen anymore. I am now thinking of going back to Emirates or Qatar Airways on my next flight to Manila.

I have been doing the same trip in 1st class (Seoul-Paris/London-Abu Dhabi-Seoul) with Etihad every year for several years but have seen standards declining sharply in 2013 and 2014. At every boarding I had to actively look for someone so I could hand them my coat. No welcome aboard and guiding to my seat and nobody addresses me by my name anymore. The Champagne used to be Bollinger but has been downgraded to something cheaper. The quality of the food can vary dramatically depending on the skills of the on-board chef. Despite my request for breakfast yesterday I was not woken up in time and had to do without! The worst perhaps is the chauffeur pick-up which stressed me enormously. Nobody called me to arrange a time for pick-up in London so I had to call the UAE to arrange it myself. They did not send any text message or email confirmation despite another call to request it. The pick-up was confirmed (orally) for 6.30 am but I was woken up by the driver at 5.15 am. My flight was at 10.30 am and I was a 15 minute-drive away from the airport! On the next leg of the journey Etihad left me a message that a pick-up had been arranged for me in Dubai but the time turned out to be less than 3 hours before take-off and it takes at least 90 minutes to go from Dubai to Abu Dhabi if there is no traffic. It took me countless calls to Etihad. Luckily the driver came on time. All in all I do not envisage traveling 1st class with Etihad again.