Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Etihad Pearl Zone to India

I am planning to fly with Etihad in Pearl Zone from AUH to DEL in early October. The flight is scheduled with a two class A330-200. What should I expect for seating and catering on this 3 hrs 15 min daytime flight?

Am I right to understand that Etihad will provide a complimentary limousine to pick me up from Dubai?

How are the lounge facilities in AUH?

I haven't been on the 2 class Airbus Etihad flights, but the pearl class on the 2 class 777 is superb. The 3 class airbus out of LHR was good but an older plane. I think all the 2 class planes are very new.

The lounge in AUH is just OK, and can be crowded and smokey in places. Drinks are ordered from waiters. There is food available but I haven't tried it. There are about 10 computers which have internet access.

Pearl class does offer limo pick up and drop off to Dubai. Request it when booking your flights as not all fares qualify for it.

Thanks for the input!

Here is another question: Is Etihad known to do a lot of AC changes, or do they normally stick to the plane that is originally scheduled? If the two-class AC are the new type, it could be a disappointment if they change it.

Would there be any chance of an AC change to a three-class setup, but still sold as two-class? Then there would be a chance to have an F-class seat with C-class service... :)

In April I suffered many schedule changes, but the aircraft type was always the same. On one flight they did try to put me on a one class Airbus even though I was booked in Pearl. On my request they changed me to a different flight without a fee. This was when they were receiving their 777 aircraft which were about 4 months late. I found that the checkmytrip website had the schedule and flight changes, so keep an eye on it.

I have some flights booked with them in August and so far I have had no changes yet notified to me.

I found that the 2 class 777 was far superior to the 3 class airbus from LHR. You get 6 foot + flat beds in the 777 pearl class, and I only got a 47" seat pitch in the 3 class airbus. Etihad say the 2 class airbus has an 88" pitch - the same as the 777. From my experience their 2 class planes are the best if you are flying Pearl.