Autonomy

Hello,

It's been years since I flew on Etihad and I didn't like it that much...

Just wondered how the 2 compare (in economy) these days? I might have to fly Etihad soon, just wondered if they have improved?

In flight service / food / entertainment (is it as good as ICE?)
AD airport - will my egate work there? What's to do there at airport, duty free / bar?

Thanks all,

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weasel central

Much prefer Emirates to Ethiad, better service and seats. I havent flown economy on Ethiad but the layout seems tight.

kittycat1

LOL hark at you!

Bahtatboy

Only flown Emirates in Business, and its lush.

Only flown Etihad in Economy: good for short haul, very good lounges (although can get very busy), good service, but seats are tight (not an issue for an hour or so, but not much fun for longer than that), movies ok, food very good.

flares

an important factor...Etihad's trolley dollies are much classier than the Emirates tarts.

Tillybean

E-gate card will work in Abu Dhabi.

I dont like Etihad - have flown a few times with them on short haul and also to Turkey and to Cairo - both economy and business. Business lounge both times was pack to the gunnels. The terminal is fine, but just doesnt compare to Dubai. Duty free is fairly small. I just dont like it and prefer to drive to Dubai.

Emirates - love them. Had some not so great crews sometimes, but on the whole, I really rate them for their flights, planes (except to Bangkok where they put the oldest planes they can find into service), the ICE, the food etc.

Gluten free on Emirates in economy - g/f bread, nice salad, choice from two mains with plain veg, lovely fruit salad for pud.

Etihad - oh sorry, we forgot to put your food onto the plane. Can we get you a sandwich or something. Twice!!

bcworld

Interesting people say that the seating on Etihad is tight. Emirates crams 10 seats across in its 777s (vs 9 on Etihad) - only a few airlines do this.

Emirates flies the A380 to Bangkok by the way.

I think Emirates is also having problems with over full lounges in Dubai...they have recently removed the gold card perk of getting a guest into the lounge for this very reason.

weasel central

I have flown economy on Emirates though, which was my point ..its not all perks you know

Madam Medusa

yeah, we were in the emirates lounge a couple of weeks ago in the morning and it was heaving...no glasses, no cutlery...it was a bit of a shambles...

MM, xx

Tillybean

Not on all their routes to BKK - usually 777-300.

ctfc

IMHO etihad economy really sucks - the seat depth is too short so only goes about halfway down your thigh, extremely uncomfortable

etihad business - flew to Beirut once which was terrible, seat recliner was broken and service shocking ; to Europe pretty good ; almost always the business lounge at AUH is full so you can't even go in ; etihad First is excellent

Overall though, not as good as Emirates business, and heartily recommend upstairs on the A380 which is fab

Very little to do at the airport in AD, it's very small! Better to go for a drink at Yas Hotel and turn up late as poss at the airport - there's a tunnel from Yas Hotel so you don't have to drive round, 5-10 mins max to airport departure

Yes, eGate will work fine in AD

ctfc

That's a vote for Emirates then?

kittycat1

yeah but you don't have it bad either Weasal! The only time I get out of cattle class is if I get an upgrade anyone any tips on getting upgraded? _ I always try to get the guys when I check in but low and behold I get the nasty beacthes check me in who I am often surpirsed that they don't have me sitting in the hold.

Madam Medusa

i don't think there's much you can do...my helper got upgraded last year flying back to sri lanka on emirates...that said, she looked amazing, all dressed up in her sari and stuff...

i've always found virgin the best for upgrades...

MM, xx

Autonomy

Ok - sod Etihad then....

Heading to Edinburgh for a wedding, only staying a few days. Prices are nasty though - Glasgow (in fact most North Europe destinations) on Emirates in June is about 4,600dhs...

Etihad to Edinburgh (but crap flight times) is 3,800dhs

Think I'll pony up the difference rather than Etihad....

Thanks all for the replies - very useful as always!