So wanted to follow up on this post. We only had carry on bags with no checked luggage.

Arrived in MAA on Etihad just after 3:30am. Walked down to the transit lounge and then was told you can't go in there. Was walked to immigration and was told to sit. Eventually someone from Air India, our connection arrived and asked what was going on (this was between 4:30 and 5:00am) and we explained. He said to stay put and we sat until 5:00am when an Etihad Representative arrived. he explained they needed a letter and then would walk us to our flight.

Time is ticking down - I keep saying we need to go - he says don't worry. Now its after 5:30am. Just relax. Now its 5:45am with a 6am departure. I'm sorry, but the flight has left. Now we are stuck in MAA.

We didn't leave until a 4:00pm flight out on Sri Lankaan Air which we had to pay for with only a business class ticket available. I had to give my credit card to the Etihad contract representative and they left the airport to purchase a ticket for an 11:00am flight only to tell me the flight was sold out - then came back and did it all over again for the 4:00pm flight. They refused to take any responsibility for the delay, cost, etc. We threatened to just let them deport us which caused a huddle of the workers on what to do.

About 2pm they returned after purchasing our tickets - but now had to check us in. after lots of arguing we handed over our passports - they went out and checked us in then walked us through the the departure lounge. Finally got something to eat and drink shortly after.

I blame Etihad for all of this - they couldn't transit us through properly.