Rainydaze

Planning return flight to UK for my first trip home in 3 years, and just mooting whether to fly with V Australia/Eithad (VAus seems to link up with Eithad for this route). Has anyone flown this trip and how did the airline rate?

After a horrendous experience with United Airlines to the States a few months ago, I'm a bit wary of venturing away from the big guns, but V seems to offer pretty competitive prices and seems like an okay airline...?

Thanks in advance for any tips and advice

Wendy

I have just returned from the UK for a visit and used Etihad. I was very impressed with them. Food was good, seats were comfy (as they can be on a plane), staff were lovely. Nothing bad to say about them at all, and I preferred them to Singapore Airlines.

Don't know about VAus?? I had Qantas for internal flights in Australia and Etihad for the rest. First plane was a A340-600 the second was a Boeing 777-300ER

All flights were on time, even with all the snow in the UK. I flew to/from Manchester

bcworld

United IS one of the big guns - V isn't!

My OH had a fairly crappy experience with V a few months ago. As they're a small airline with high aircraft utilisation an incident led to a 24 hour delay followed by being put on a charter airline instead...so no idea what flying on V is like!?

The whole thing was handled really badly.

Beedubya

V have some kind of code share out of Sydney with Etihad, then just EY from SYD to MAN. I am booked with them for February.

Heard good stuff about them.......so far......

Rainydaze

Ooh, the plot thickens! It could go either way then. Thanks everyone for your replies.

Shellyj

I found their planes & seats small (after flying on A380) The food was poor, cold spicy kebab on a pizza! And the stewards inattentive, ignoring buzzers, missing rows out serving food etc.

But....

We flew with them during the volcanic ash episode. They flew us into Abu Dhabi then put everyone up in a 5* hotel, all meals provided for 5 days and got us out on the first possible flight as I was pregnant. All that and they didnt have to as they are not an EU airline.

Beedubya

Sorry that should have said a V/Etihad code share from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, then Etihad all the way to Manchester........

Shenni

Avoid a stop over in Abu Dabi if you can, its a very 3rd world airport ........ and nothing to do if there for longer than a hour or so ...Flew with Etihad a year or so ago and would not fly with them again due to the airport ..... I find emirates much better in all things

Shenni

Avoid a stop over in Abu Dabi if you can, its a very 3rd world airport ........ and nothing to do if there for longer than a hour or so ...Flew with Etihad a year or so ago and would not fly with them again due to the airport ..... I find emirates much better in all things

Beedubya

I have already bought my ticket when it was at rock bottom price so have no choice I have no idea how long I will be in Abu Dhabi but hopefully not too long from what you are saying!!

As far as I know Emirates are the best for the baggage allowance 30kgs as opposed to 23kgs on the other stingy airlines ex Australia........

golgo13

I would highly recommend the following: Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Japan Airlines. I have flow all three over the four years I have been in OZ on my annual trip back to the UK. Cathay & Emirates are quite reasonable although I have been traveling during peak period Jun - Aug so out of those periods you should be able to get something for under 2000k

Weebie

V Australia is awesome!! highly rate it!

saintstu

Flew into Brisbane from Phuket on V Australia, and thought they were excellent. Paid about $200 at the airport to upgrade to Premium Economy and it was great. Would definitely fly with them again.

RadarControl

I flew Dublin to Sydney return with Etihad in October. Airline was excellent and had no complaints. Etihad normally use an Airbus A340-600 between Sydney and Abu Dhabi. It is 2-4-2 in Economy class.

Yes the airport in Abu Dhabi is not the greatest but since the difference between most arrivals from Asia and departures to Europe is less than 3hrs it is not a major problem. There is free Wi-Fi and Internet Kiosks throughout the airport. A major new terminal opens in 2012.

The agreement between Virgin Blue, V Australia and Etihad is designed to open up Australia to more competition. If you are a member of Virgin's Velocity program you earn velocity points with Etihad and get all the same benefits. If you are a member of Etihad frequent flyer program you can earn points on any of Virgin Blue, V Australia or Pacific Blue flights.

Beedubya

What's the difference between the two? This sounds interesting though not sure if I will be able to as my ticket is on Etihad paper.