I have to fly EK because I'm brainwashed by the music/marketing, the upgrades are continuous, they fly to places I want to go and they are cheap from AKL. If Etihad launches here I'll be suprised if they make as bigger impact/corner the market like EK has.

AKL-DXB direct is a dream for my family and I who detest the stopover. Alas I doubt EK could even half fill an A340-500 on that route.

cw