Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Anyone flown Etihad Airways ?

Etihad Airways announced that is to fly DXB-YYZ via BRU 3x weekly in 06

Anyone flown this airline?

Comments would be appreciated.

Airbus, there are several trip reports on Etihad.... Seems like a very good Airlines...

I plan to fly them from CPT/JNB to YYZ next year...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479644&referrerid=4519

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=451203&referrerid=4519

Thanks for reminding me about trip reports.

I have been there so little that this valuable ressource simply slipped my mind. :o

Etihad Airways announced that is to fly DXB-YYZ via BRU 3x weekly in 06

Anyone flown this airline?

Comments would be appreciated.

Erm... I think it is actually AUH-YYZ (AUH is their hub, not DXB - they dont even fly to DXB, but rather have a bus service to from, AUH), and it starts on October 31st 2005. I saw a LOVELY full page colour add in the globe and mail, which I am going to put up in my room :)

As they are still new, their service level can vary. If you get on a new A330-200 that has been delivered directly from Airbus, the flight will be excellent, with everything being top notch. However, on the old planes such as the ex TAM planes and the lone B767, the comfort levels vary a lot

Cheers

I stand corrected. :o

There were two discussions on the AC forum. One on Etihad and one on Emirates; both possibly going to YYZ. I confused both discussions.

Just to confirm... the YYZ service will be on the new A330. The prices seem fair too. A YYZ-BRU fare in peak season is just $670 CAD albeit on an SN codeshare ticket.(compare that to ticket prices to/from FRA MUC FCO MXP)

Cheers

As many know Etihad started AUH-BRU-YYZ-BRU-AUH 3x weekly service tonight. Arrives from AUH/BRU @ 9:30pm and leaves for BRU/AUH at 11:20pm. All from T1 @ YYZ.

As many know Etihad started AUH-BRU-YYZ-BRU-AUH 3x weekly service tonight. Arrives from AUH/BRU @ 9:30pm and leaves for BRU/AUH at 11:20pm. All from T1 @ YYZ.

Sadly, doesn't seem like it is doing too well. I was able to easily get seats YYZ-BRU-AUH vv leaving at the start of canadian christmas holidays and coming back right at the end in the cheapest fare bucket

Cheers

The main problem with any airline flying into YYZ is the unbelievable landing charges that the airport authority must charge the airline. It's the third most expensive airport to land at in the world, after Tokyo Narita and Hong Kong. The list of foreign airlines that have started service to Pearson (YYZ) and then left is very long. You'd think that Etihad would be able to charge some fairly decent prices because Greater Toronto has a very large South Asian population and Etihad flies to both Pakistan and India, I believe.

The main problem with any airline flying into YYZ is the unbelievable landing charges that the airport authority must charge the airline. It's the third most expensive airport to land at in the world, after Tokyo Narita and Hong Kong. The list of foreign airlines that have started service to Pearson (YYZ) and then left is very long. You'd think that Etihad would be able to charge some fairly decent prices because Greater Toronto has a very large South Asian population and Etihad flies to both Pakistan and India, I believe.

I fly very frequently between Toronto and Karachi and seriously considered switching to EY. However, there were a number of problems with EY which put me off.

1) Ridiculous wait times in AUH
2) I can no longer stopover in London if flying EY
3) Their business class fares ex Karachi are astronomical
4) Low frequency of flights (3 x weekly ex Toronto) my regular route was YYZ-LHR-DXB-KHI with 5 daily flights between YYZ and LHR, 5 daily between LHR and DXB and 4 daily between KHI all on AC/EK

Slightly OT but my last trip to Karachi was on British Airways till DXB and EK on to Karachi, and the experience was far better than either EY or EK.

Cheers

Hey everyone,

I have finally given in... I will try Etihad for one of my KHI-YYZ trips. This will be my first time flying to/from Karachi on the 767-300 :(. The fare as as follows (for KHI-LHR vv - I will buy a separate Y ticket for LHR-YYZ-LHR)

Economy 42,500 PKR (vs EK's 67,000 PKR)
Business 66,000PKR (vs EK's 98,000 PKR)
First 145,000PKR (vs EK's 170,000PKR with KHI-DXB-KHI in J)

I will most likely go for J class... $1100.00 for Business Class isn't too bad. Anyone flown the 767? Is is as bad as I have heard?

Thanks

sadiqhassan,

Excellent news.. Please do let us know what the service is like!

I was contemplating a trip with them from JNB-YYZ later in 2006 year.

Thanks

I travel extensively within the Arabian Gulf and have heard Etihad Airlines referred to by well travelled expat friends within the Gulf as "shi.tyhad" I think that means they have a long way to go still. Also any layover in AUH will be hell on earth. It is the Gulf's worst airport in terms of congestion, lack of organisation, lack of facilities. Duty Free prices are quite good however. It was designed by the same designers who did CDG....it is being upgraded but will take a few years yet.

Budget permitting, I suggest fly F or at least J on a still up and comming airline.
Enjoy your flight :)