In June there are 4 of us travelling from MEL-AUH and then AUH-CDG. For reasons that are a bit complex both flights are Etihad flights (although to confuse things the second one is operated by AF for Etihad) but the two tickets are issued by different airlines. The first leg is a VA redemption and the second is ticketed by AF/KLM. There is approximately a 3 hour layover in AUH between the two flights.

I have a few questions that someone might be able to help me with:

1. Will Etihad interline the luggage between two Etihad operated flights even if they are on different PNRs and ticketed by different carriers? Does anyone have any experience with this or with Etihad connecting luggage on services ticketed separately more generally?

2. If not, I assume i will need to collect bags and recheck them in AUH. Anyone done this, how long should it take?

3. Finally, I have status with two separate Etihad partners (AF/KLM Gold and VA Platinum). Ordinarily my VA Plat status would allow access to the J lounge in AUH but as the second flight is not ticketed by EY i suspect i'll need to use KLM contract lounge?

Any thoughts or experiences most welcome!