Services that we have lost so far
Jul 5, 2017, 11:02 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: ey gold tg gold accor gold
Posts: 376
Wheelchair
OK , let me explain why I did it....I fly through AUH probably 10-12 times a year , and after joining the queues like everyone else , shuffling along , I noticed several elderly people in wheelchairs being wheeled unto the barrier ( no issues there ). What followed on each occasion was the persons relatives , wife , son , aunt , uncle , grand kids and probably the family pet if it was allowed ....And after several trips in and out , watching all these so called carers , flying through , I thought I would give it a try myself .....I'm not impressed with what I did ( and will continue to do it ) if fact it's quite shamefull , to know there is nothing wrong with me at all....But I quite honestly refuse , after paying good hard earned money , to be treated as though I'm some sort of sheep , being hearded through a pen ....And yes , I am at the bar quicker than most , and would probably be on my third by the time everybody else arrives
Jul 5, 2017, 11:19 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: ey gold tg gold accor gold
Posts: 376
Wheelchair
And further to my previous comments I would just like to clarify this ....On each occasion , I have given £10 or $10 to the guy pushing me along ,and I'm one of the few that always give ( Pedro , Mark and John the philapino boys that work in the Al Reem lounge ) a handsome tip.......they deserve it
Jul 6, 2017, 3:45 am
#49
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
Now, about the second part of your post. Etihad have a great priority service for J and F passengers when you are leaving AUH. Its almost a separate terminal.
Once I transited through AUH (last March) and I was flying F DEL-(AUH)-LHR, I was escorted through security and to my connecting flight.
I can only assume the queues are during transit and not departing AUH. If this is the case I've suggested before, take a day out in AUH, it makes the journey much more pleasant, and theres a free 5* room and breakfast along with transfers. Others have said that one day wasted is going to cause them great distress, if that's the case then they don't need to fly premium either, there's simply no point, because clearly long connecting flights and the stress to the body thereof is irrelevant to them. Even if one flies F, two long flights with a connection is not going to allow them to arrive fresh, and they will probably have to sleep it off at the destination anyway, which they could have done overnight in Abu Dhabi.
Another suggestion to those who can't take a day transit, fly out on a Saturday afternoon when going eastbound, arrive in AUH early morning/late night and take a late afternoon flight out on Sunday. You will be at your destination ready to work for Monday. A working day isn't even wasted. I think the argument that a long layover wastes time doesn't quite make sense.
Once I transited through AUH (last March) and I was flying F DEL-(AUH)-LHR, I was escorted through security and to my connecting flight.
I can only assume the queues are during transit and not departing AUH. If this is the case I've suggested before, take a day out in AUH, it makes the journey much more pleasant, and theres a free 5* room and breakfast along with transfers. Others have said that one day wasted is going to cause them great distress, if that's the case then they don't need to fly premium either, there's simply no point, because clearly long connecting flights and the stress to the body thereof is irrelevant to them. Even if one flies F, two long flights with a connection is not going to allow them to arrive fresh, and they will probably have to sleep it off at the destination anyway, which they could have done overnight in Abu Dhabi.
Another suggestion to those who can't take a day transit, fly out on a Saturday afternoon when going eastbound, arrive in AUH early morning/late night and take a late afternoon flight out on Sunday. You will be at your destination ready to work for Monday. A working day isn't even wasted. I think the argument that a long layover wastes time doesn't quite make sense.
The whole point about this is that Etihad and the airport should have responded to this problem and solved it - it is not rocket science especially for an airline that relies so much on passengers transferring.
Etihad really need to put the customer first , if Mr Hogan and his board were faced with these queues every time they arrived (instead of entering the UAE directly) by having to experience the transfer process first then things would quickly change
Jul 6, 2017, 5:29 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,273
Also, if EY & AUH continue to disappoint, why still fly them
There are plenty of choices out there, the last time I looked 
Jul 6, 2017, 6:15 am
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Emirates Gold, SPG Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 579
If you want to get there as soon as possible, why even use Etihad? There are likely direct flights, or if not its almost always quicker to connect in Europe or closer to the destination e.g. Bangkok (for Phuket), than in the Middle East.
Jul 6, 2017, 6:30 am
#52
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
If you read what I said you would not be confused
Jul 6, 2017, 6:39 am
#53
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
I just don't understand this, if the objective is to arrive fresh, and have a comfortable journey, then best way to do it is with a long layover not a quick transit.
If you want to get there as soon as possible, why even use Etihad? There are likely direct flights, or if not its almost always quicker to connect in Europe or closer to the destination e.g. Bangkok (for Phuket), than in the Middle East.
If you want to get there as soon as possible, why even use Etihad? There are likely direct flights, or if not its almost always quicker to connect in Europe or closer to the destination e.g. Bangkok (for Phuket), than in the Middle East.
I do get the point about the benefits of a long lay over but as long as the transfer is smooth and hassle free that is fine by me
Jul 6, 2017, 6:42 am
#54
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Yorkshire & Bangsaen
Programs: HH Diamond, EY Gold, AY Silver, MR Plat
Posts: 526
I just don't understand this, if the objective is to arrive fresh, and have a comfortable journey, then best way to do it is with a long layover not a quick transit.
If you want to get there as soon as possible, why even use Etihad? There are likely direct flights, or if not its almost always quicker to connect in Europe or closer to the destination e.g. Bangkok (for Phuket), than in the Middle East.
If you want to get there as soon as possible, why even use Etihad? There are likely direct flights, or if not its almost always quicker to connect in Europe or closer to the destination e.g. Bangkok (for Phuket), than in the Middle East.
Most people do not want to waste their time staying over in any country when they transit. They just want to arrive at the destination.
Jul 6, 2017, 6:58 am
#55
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
it can be quicker as over the long distance the plane will be able to take the shortest route and if you look you will find that manchester to Bangkok with Finnair/ Air France/KLM and the like can be (depending on connections) quicker than the likes of etihad/Qatar
Also I always find it hard even with the flat bed to sleep but with the long hop I am more like to sleep better as the transfer can be a just the wrong time for me
Also I always find it hard even with the flat bed to sleep but with the long hop I am more like to sleep better as the transfer can be a just the wrong time for me
Jul 6, 2017, 7:00 am
#56
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,481
The abuse of the wheelchair service is a real problem with EY from my point of view. I haven't seen that even close as often as I've seen that on EY flights. In all cases it were people, who look like that they come from India, who did that. Seems to me as there are agencies in India, where you can rent old people for priority boarding.
It would be very easy to solve that problem. First there should be a maximum of two companions per handicapped person. Second the complanions should be obliged to help the handicapped person, if they are able to do that by themself.
In June this year I've seen 12 companions for one old lady and none of them have taken care of her after entering the plane. And she was really in need of help.
It would be very easy to solve that problem. First there should be a maximum of two companions per handicapped person. Second the complanions should be obliged to help the handicapped person, if they are able to do that by themself.
In June this year I've seen 12 companions for one old lady and none of them have taken care of her after entering the plane. And she was really in need of help.
Jul 6, 2017, 7:29 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,273
I keep telling you I have booked elsewhere for future flights - I booked flights Dec/Jan and March/May long before the first of these two trips and reached the decision to try elsewhere after the first of these but I also had a stack of miles meaning one last flight still to come
If you read what I said you would not be confused
If you read what I said you would not be confused
Jul 11, 2017, 10:57 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Johan
Jul 11, 2017, 4:51 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Apparently, a quick announcement to the wheelchair passengers that "due to too many wheelchair customers, there will be delays of at least 45 minutes in pushing them through" results in at least half of the requested passengers suddenly regaining their ability to walk quite freely
Jul 16, 2017, 12:51 pm
#60
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: OWE, *A-G, EY Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 486
As many of you are thinking of writing a farewell to Etihad I thought it would be useful to compile a list of just what we've lost of late so that we can include it in our rants.
No need for long essays just list the items and I'll keep updating this top thread to include them
Chauffeur Service
Amenity kits missing randomly from flights, seems to be no standard which Etihad follows. Also are missing from LHR flights which are over 6 Hours
Decent a la carte offerings in First Class lounge at AUH
2 Year wait for First Class lounge at AUH
Already overfull lounges offered on a pay basis
Spa treatments
On board choice of f&b
Ground handling
Call centres, plus the line quality when transferred is awful and often disconnects
Menus in Y
Wifi Costs now per MB and more expensive
No longer any mileage/tier bonuses
Devaluation of Miles already accrued
Considerable drop in mileage earning, particularly for saver fares plus also removed upgrade eligibility from several fares
Reward shop devalued miles
AUH Transit, no effective or monitored access for premium guests through security. Easily sorted by having an Etihad member of staff on hand
Meals increasingly missed in flight
Food constantly running out in flight in J and F, forget first choice there's no food left at all
Being constantly ignored when things go wrong, if 5000 Guest Miles don't sort the problem then good luck to you
Erratic compensation awards, 20,000 for broken In Flight Entertainment, 5000 when an Etihad employee takes my personal details home with him when starting a new business
I have seen 3-15,000 miles awarded for a broken on board shower - why isn't there a rate card
Please do list some as well
No need for long essays just list the items and I'll keep updating this top thread to include them
Chauffeur Service
Amenity kits missing randomly from flights, seems to be no standard which Etihad follows. Also are missing from LHR flights which are over 6 Hours
Decent a la carte offerings in First Class lounge at AUH
2 Year wait for First Class lounge at AUH
Already overfull lounges offered on a pay basis
Spa treatments
On board choice of f&b
Ground handling
Call centres, plus the line quality when transferred is awful and often disconnects
Menus in Y
Wifi Costs now per MB and more expensive
No longer any mileage/tier bonuses
Devaluation of Miles already accrued
Considerable drop in mileage earning, particularly for saver fares plus also removed upgrade eligibility from several fares
Reward shop devalued miles
AUH Transit, no effective or monitored access for premium guests through security. Easily sorted by having an Etihad member of staff on hand
Meals increasingly missed in flight
Food constantly running out in flight in J and F, forget first choice there's no food left at all
Being constantly ignored when things go wrong, if 5000 Guest Miles don't sort the problem then good luck to you
Erratic compensation awards, 20,000 for broken In Flight Entertainment, 5000 when an Etihad employee takes my personal details home with him when starting a new business
I have seen 3-15,000 miles awarded for a broken on board shower - why isn't there a rate card
Please do list some as well
- Amenity Kits - Going down the same path as QR with nothing on shorter l/h flights. Kits are really nothing special and have not been refreshed in a while either.
- F&B in F Lounge - Drastic drop in service. Obviously the crew have gone, and they were clearly a source of tension amongst other staff thinking they are better than the ground F&B (not always true). Selection of food and drink is noticed. Still service Al Ain water from plastic bottles? Clearly an idiot local who is overpaid, underworked and knows zero about service thinks this is OK?
- Silly Spa Rules - Inability to “gift” treatments to guests with you in the lounge is inflexible and silly.
- EY Guest - By and large a completely useless program. Unable to track flights with partners, then the process for claiming them is sooooo long we pass the 6mth mark and get told they don’t count. I have have 16 in the past 12 months in this situation.
- Op/Up Rate - I have been a plat for 5yrs (Gold Elite) and have not had an OpUp for almost 2 yrs. Nothing.
Last edited by flying_fozzy; Jul 16, 2017 at 12:55 pm Reason: Adding points due to iPad battery flop