m0hamed
Jan 19, 12, 7:47 pm
I generally fly QF/BA F to CAI and was interested in comparing OW with EY. Flew SYD-AUH-CAI return in EY F recently (AUH-CAI-AUH was in J as the aircraft was downgraded).
Summary of OW comparison:
NZ lounge in SYD is appalling, no separate F area. The dragon fits the term perfectly.
EY make the call in the lounge for J and F pax last - a very smart move.
Boarding is via the forward door which I find strange given that on all other sectors they disembarked everyone from the second door so that J pax got off before F pax.
The hard product is superb. The privacy afforded by the doors is incredible and the lack of overhead lockers gives an overwhelming sense of space.
Service simply cannot be compared to QF or BA. I had to ask for Bolly from the Sky Chef, ask again, and it still took 20 mins. No Arab coffee and dates offered ex SYD (was on the return)
I was never greeted by name once, very very odd for any F.
The SkyChef concept taken from Gulf Air (Most EY staff in SYD and in head office are ex Gulf Air) is simply a concept. The food looks good but lacks taste. I much prefer QF/BA J catering than this F experience.
EY make cocktails Strawberry Daiquiris, Mojitos etc. why I quite enjoyed.
The staff seem incredibly junior, undertrained and nervous. On 3 sectors I had water spilt on me (EY staff fly to and from CAI on the same day which would make them incredibly tired).
The EY F Lounge at AUH T3's open kitchen, service and spa were all incredible. QF SYD F Lounge is still much superior, but I never saw more than 3 other pax when we were there.
To enter the boarding areas in AUH requires a security check, and you to scan your bp. This brings all pax into a tiny holding area and boarding is a mess, although there is priority boarding for premium pax.
Applied for a tier match 2 months ago. Despite several emails and phone calls, I am yet to receive any final confirmation, although have received confirmation of receipt.
Overall connections to the Arab World from SYD are much easier with EY than with QF/BA, and the price is very very good, your just need to set your service expectations appropriately.
Summary of OW comparison:
NZ lounge in SYD is appalling, no separate F area. The dragon fits the term perfectly.
EY make the call in the lounge for J and F pax last - a very smart move.
Boarding is via the forward door which I find strange given that on all other sectors they disembarked everyone from the second door so that J pax got off before F pax.
The hard product is superb. The privacy afforded by the doors is incredible and the lack of overhead lockers gives an overwhelming sense of space.
Service simply cannot be compared to QF or BA. I had to ask for Bolly from the Sky Chef, ask again, and it still took 20 mins. No Arab coffee and dates offered ex SYD (was on the return)
I was never greeted by name once, very very odd for any F.
The SkyChef concept taken from Gulf Air (Most EY staff in SYD and in head office are ex Gulf Air) is simply a concept. The food looks good but lacks taste. I much prefer QF/BA J catering than this F experience.
EY make cocktails Strawberry Daiquiris, Mojitos etc. why I quite enjoyed.
The staff seem incredibly junior, undertrained and nervous. On 3 sectors I had water spilt on me (EY staff fly to and from CAI on the same day which would make them incredibly tired).
The EY F Lounge at AUH T3's open kitchen, service and spa were all incredible. QF SYD F Lounge is still much superior, but I never saw more than 3 other pax when we were there.
To enter the boarding areas in AUH requires a security check, and you to scan your bp. This brings all pax into a tiny holding area and boarding is a mess, although there is priority boarding for premium pax.
Applied for a tier match 2 months ago. Despite several emails and phone calls, I am yet to receive any final confirmation, although have received confirmation of receipt.
Overall connections to the Arab World from SYD are much easier with EY than with QF/BA, and the price is very very good, your just need to set your service expectations appropriately.