Millhouse

I've just realised that an Etihad flight booked from Dubai (via the bus to Abu Dhabi) is cheaper than the same flight departing from Abu Dhabi.

If I book the 'Dubai' flight - do I have to take the bus? or can I just drive down? (my preference)

The Dean

You must take the bus - bizarrely, it actually counts as a 'connecting flight' (hence the flight number). If you don't take the bus, you haven't checked in....... seat cancelled.

Millhouse

Thanks - sadly not exactly what I wanted to hear, but best be forewarned and all that!

Bahtatboy

You absolutely sure? I flew on Emirates last year, and had a reservation on the Emirates bus from AD to DXB (which has a flight-type number), and asked Emirates if I had to use it and I seem to remember (not 100% sure) that it was optional. I used it in the end, and it was tolerable. Trouble is with asking there's no certainty that you'll get the right answer...

Jackwow

I've flown twice with Etihad and both times they sent a nice car to take me to Abu Dhabi, so no you don't have to take the bus.

Fossildog

I cant imagine this is mandatory. I recently flew Emirates and had the bus booked to travel to Abu Dhabi from Dubai. However the Emirates flight was delayed and once I got through the efficient passport control at Dubai the last bus had left. The Emirates desk was very unhelpful and so I had to get a 400Aed taxi instead (was 2:30am in the morning)

Millhouse

I'm paying - hence it's an economy ticket!

I have decided to pay the extra 60 AED / person for the pleasure of driving to AD and paying for parking at the airport... I can't be arsed with taking a bus from marina mall at 5.30am with a 4 year old...

smallpiff

Family fly via emirates to meet me during the kids vacations. The proper check in is done in Abu Dhabi so I reckon it wouldn't matter if you travelled to AUH by an alternate mode.

Jackwow

I was paying too.

The Dean

@ Jackwow - I imagine that was a business class flight you were booked on? They will do that for you - the key issue is that you cannot just 'do nothing'. The way round it would simply be to book your journey to start from Ab Dab.

@ Fossildog - no - of course it doesn't matter at the end of a flight

Anyway - if you are booked to start in Dubai and don't tell them you're not using the bus - your flight will be cancelled.