Hi All
I have just flown Etihads for the first time, I thought i was having a dream when i entered the lounge at Heathrow, I had peolpe waiting on me, offering drink, food and free massage, The lounge had B&O TV and Apple PC's, It was the difference between night and day when you compare Emirates Lounges, But you dont get from London to heathrow sitting in the lounge

I was on the A340 from Heathrow to A/B, The interior looked dirty and the TV in front of me had not been cleaned for ages plus while waiting for the plane to fill up, i could not use the E-Box, It was only showing the Company video. I have to say that the Hand set looked very cheap, unlike Emirates, couldn't even watch the channels to see the Cameras until we were into the Flight.

Drink service was very different, Wine came in big bottles and poured into a plastic cup and handed to you, asked for a Rum and coke, it was a no!!!

Later they came around doing a drinks service, Asked for a glass of wine, Sorry sir only tea coffee or water.

food service was Different, little salad and the desert arrived about an hour later with the coffee.

Their was not enough pitch and my legs was hurting me due to no where to stretch my legs and it was a art in itself to try and eat the meal without knocking into the man siting next to me.

got to A/D and went to the lounge, I knew that i had to go to the lounge in terminal 1 (on gold but flying coral) but it wasn't even a Etihads lounge, It was a cheap and nasty Lounge but little choice of food and drink, Not sure if it had a shower or not and for gold status, you would think they would want to offer more.

On the 777/300, the TV packed in 20 minutes into the flight, i pressed the call button and even though the FA was walking passed me, they didn't even bother asking me what i wanted, i had to call one over, the same later on when i wanted a drink of juice, i pressed the button 1 hour before landing and i am now in a hotel in BKK and still no one came to me.

overall, Emirates beats Etihads on planes, interior, food and drink, customer care on the flight, leg room.

I guess at the end of the day, you get what you pay for, Value for money, Well i felt that i was on the flight for a life time, hard to sleep and Entertainment not to Emirates Standards. maybe emirates have spoiled us with their fleet of aircraft and yes maybe their standards have dropped but its far better what i experienced with Etihads.

I have to do the return leg in 2 weeks time, Something that i am not looking forward to.

Malc