Etihad and Abu Dhabi in Economy
 

About ten year ago I flew through Abu Dhabi and missed my connection and it was hell to deal with it over there. I vowed never to fly through there again.

Ten years later I'm looking into getting a ticket with Etihad through Abu Dhabi since the prices are very good but how is this airline in Economy and how is the airport these days and how does it deal with missed flight connections due to delays?

Thanks,
Benjamin

I've never missed a connection because I always plan ahead sometimes this requires a long layover 5-10 hours in airport or 1-2 days outside.

Most people wouldn't agree waiting in an airport for hours is a good idea but I've seen plenty of angry customers and their many reasons why they can't be late.

I guess it depends on your options in a worst case scenario as to how you should plan because if you arrive late and they can't get you on the next flight because its full or your cabin is full are you ok with waiting or taking a downgrade? I am sure people think if they get upset and explain their reason for travel this will make a difference.

Example. LGW is a long (traffic prone) drive for me so for a morning flight check in to the sofitel, have a nice evening meal, relax in the club lounge then walk to the terminal in a few mins relaxed and fresh.

All the information is on the internet to allow you to plan as required and live longer without the stress.

Nice life lesson Chris but really not what was asked

They are far better setup than ten years ago, it is not even comparable especially when you consider the new terminal. It is very cramped now because the Midfield terminal is late but they know what they're doing for connections and you'll be informed before landing where your next flight is going from, gate info etc.

From where to where are you flying ? It would help to answer your question as the bus gates take a little longer in and out

Thumbs up to Dogmatick, but anyway, I connected through there twice in February. While it is a big place with lots of people around, the boarding etc were quite sloppy. I think its more because of the extreme mix of internationals with language barriers.

I recently had an arrival into AUH which was all nuts in early morning - basically we had to wait in the bus since the stairs upstairs were all blocked with people. Nothing moved basically. Luckily I knew there is an elevator on the left side that brought me relatively close to the security area (where I, as a pax in C, could take the fast lane which took only like 15min..) - I would expect Y pax to have waited for at least 90min in total, if not more. Certainly plenty of missconnects there.

Arriving into AUH/departing from AUH, it can also be quite chaotic. I certainly don't like the transfer/arrival/departure facilitities too much. Plus, mostly bus gates after all.. if you're for a smooth transfer, I'd avoid AUH. As much as EY in the air is good, it's the worst **** on earth on the ground..

The time of day when you'll transfer, and the origin/destination can make a difference; as others have said it can determine the terminal and gates. If you're headed to the US you'll need more time as you clear US immigration in AD now (as opposed to 10 years ago).

Transfers to some of their more important destinations are likely to be easier, for example if you're headed from Australia to London, you'll be in and out from a proper gate at T3, rather than having to bus it. Most all of the narrow body flights need a bus. Some, however, board from a regular gate at T1.

All the replies are much appreciated. Looks Like I will be avoiding Abu Dhabi and going to aim for Emirates / Dubai instead. Price will be a little higher but might be worth it.

Abu Dhabi is much improved but still leave a lot to be desired if you get caught in security between the two terminals.

On the whole I have found Etihad punctuality to be no better or worse than others and as long as you have booked on one ticket I would not worry about connections. bad weather can occur anywhere and then it simply boils down to how well they deal with it - I was lucky as was 4 hours late once due to fog closing the airport but my connection had also been delayed by the same fog.

As far as traveling in economy then I would not worry about the airport

In the ten years since EY has been operating out of MAN I have taken about 25 return flights with connections in AUH. I have never missed a connection. I fly roughly 2/3 economy, so I would not be overly worried about such things. Missed connections can happen to any airline. I have only flown AF once and missed a return connection in CDG due to extremely slow security.

I personally have not had a worry with connections on Etihad but unlike eddibabyyeah's experience at CDG Etihad would probably fast track you through the security in the unlikely even you are late

The most important thing is to have the one ticket and not two separate tickets and you will be well looked after. The real problems are when the airport has been closed for some reason like fog or security scares when there are thousands of people rather than a small number off the one plane - and then it does not matter who you are flying with

This was in F but I had a great connection experience on Etihad through AUH.
The sector was DEL-AUH-LHR.
Arrived in J, continued to London in F.
Flight was a little late in, as soon as I got on the air bridge off the plane an Etihad employee took my hand baggage, took me to the front of the security and escorted me all the way onboard to my London flight.
I realise they probably don't do this for an economy ticket but it goes to show they do care if you make your connection.
I was pretty surprised because in my opinion there was enough time for me to make it to my connection and also I had arrived in J and it wasn't a two class plane.

Actually, they do fast track people in economy through security if their inbound flight is late. Depends if the connection is still feasible or not. But when I meet an EY flight ex AUH that is late, we always have "Priority cards" and the name of the pax right outside the door of the aircraft. And most of those are not J or F pax.

you can move freely between T1 and T3, but of course you have to go through security after arrival (even with a T3/T3 connection), as is the case after most (except intra-Schengen and some others...) international flights at any airport in the world.

i have found that the queues for security between T1 and T3 can be a problem. It once took me more than 30 minutes queuing and that was in Business - worse was the fact that it turned out to be quicker in the economy lanes

I have not used Etihad for a while but will be interested to see if things have improved

I also remember the long queues between T1 and T3, but it´s probably already a year long that there is no more security between T1 and T3.
After arrival, I made it through security always in a couple of minutes (fast lane).