Advice sought: MEL-AUH - Codeshare

[ab156]

ast minute trip MEL to AUH (Abu Dhabi) 11/11-15/11 (F1 GP). Best routing is on the overnight Etihad flight leaving at 23:00. This flight seems to be a codeshare for multiple airlines at significantly different rates:

V Australia ~$1,600
Ethiad ~$1,900
Qantas ~$2,450

I am PlatinumFF with qantas so a QF flight number would be nice but not justifiable at +$850. Scratch that one. I can see on Expert Flyer that there are rows of seats "blocked" at the back of the flight, I assume this is the QF / VA allocations. The rest of the flight still looks relatively lightly loaded a month out..

I have never flown this route and the prospect of 15 hours in whY (30hrs return) leaves me somewhat cold. Can't locate any PE options without crazy routing and Business is not very competitive on this route.

Questions:
Is there any advantage i booking directly with the Etihad? With no status I assume seat selection will be at the mercy of the airline in either case.
Is there any other viable routing and/or a PE option?
Any advice from anyone who has done this sector...

Thanks in advance...

 

[browski]

PE is not offered so much on the carriers that head to the middle east.

You could look at jagging a PE seat on BA or QF to SIN/HKG and then trying a separate flight to AUH.
Alternatively, you can always fly JetStar Starclass from MEL-BKK and connect with EY/EK to AUH/DXB respectively. EK flies the A380 from BKK-DXB so that is not a bad option if flying Y.

Personally, that VAustralia codeshare offer looks unbeatable.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Personally, that VAustralia codeshare offer looks unbeatable.

I have to agree. That is an incredible fare a month out. For that price, slum it in Y! If it's lightly loaded, chances are you can get a few seats to yourself anyway.

Enjoy the GP...Yas Marina looks like an incredible track.

 

[markis10]

QF codeshare ends this month, so the QF offerings are without frills.

 

[ab156]

Thanks all, you can get some very cheap flights based on the suggested BKK route. One would have to be particularly relaxed about connections and not value their time

Anyway, went for the VA option.