Best option for WP SYD-LHR in Y

[thegurio]

Just Completed a Round trip with Etihad/VA CDG-AUH-SYD and SYD-MEL-AUH-CDG

Outbound leg, moved to exit seat on flight to AUH the upgraded to PE AUH-SYD (VA metal) asked for a legroom seat at the gate and they upgraded me.

Inbound leg moved to exit seat MEL-AUH and then AUH-CDG they blocked a row of four off for me . If you havent got a good seat already allocated speak to them at the transfer desk in AUH and then again at the gate.

Al Reem lounge easy to get to and comfortable

I know a lot of people complain about EY. But I thought they were quite good - we did the whole way from LHR-MEL, and although I'm not terribly tall, I thought the room was enough, and the seats were like a well worn couch! Service was REALLY good, especially since we went to LHR via QF, so we could compare directly. I'm not sure of the premium cabins, but I imagine that they would be the same. YMMV.

 

[Mh4k]

EY are great in the air at the pointy end, but the ground services suck and the Y seating is ruined for tall people by the leg rest and magazine pouch and the slight forward-slide of the seat on recline all of which rob you of usable leg room. If you can snag an exit row it's fine, but they can't allocate you one for the AUH to LHR leg in Sydney (and, worse, they can't allocate you one for the AUH to SYD leg from LHR) and by the time you get to AUH they will all have been allocated leaving you to slum it in a standard row. If you're lucky maybe you'll get a bulkhead row for the long leg which will give you acceptable knee room but the near-certainty of screaming children seated next to you.

It's probably OK for short-coughs

 

[browski]

You might consider MH.

I still believe they have the best seat pitch in Y (34"). SQ and EY typically use 32" seat pitch. Still crediting to Velocity somewhere between 0.5 and 1.25 points per mile depending on economy fare type.

 

[thegurio]

It's probably OK for short-coughs

Guilty as charged! :mrgreen:

 

[airtraveladdict]

it depends how importants points are for you.

If they are, then as a WP you will earn 100% extra points on Virgin metal and 50% with Etihad. Whereas the other airlines don't award any extra bonus points for Virgin WP.

The SQ gold lounge is alright, but its weird there are no toilets though.

Abu Dhabi should be alright, since you are Platinum, you will get priority security screeing at the boarding gate (extra security where they check you're hand/cabin luggage) and boarding on Etihad. If you get to the airport early like i did, 3.5 hours ^^ prior, exit row is ALWAYS available lol but if you rock up 1.5hours, then don't count on scoring exit row seats.

The Etihad staff in London are great! extremely helpful and really polite and that was in the normal Economy check-in desk, if you check-in at the Pearl desk, they are more fantastic.

But the staff at Abu Dhabi...ummm they need more training because I have seeing better organised chook raffles. But that was 6 months ago when I was there, maybe things have improved. Because 6 months ago, Etihad staff didnt know who/what to do with velocity members. But i imagine now, gold and platinums will be allowed to board first along with Etihad Gold/Gold elite guests and business/first class passengers, regardless of the cabin class they are travelling in.

I am flying back to EU in 2months, so i'd be curious to see if anything has changed since my last experience.

 

[The Rok]

I think the points bonus is the same for VA and EY?

 

[airtraveladdict]

I think the points bonus is the same for VA and EY?

For Gold, it is 75% bonus on Virgin and 50% bonus on Etihad.

For platinum is it 100% bonus on Virgin and 50% on Etihad. Etihad is capped at 50%

 

[The Rok]

Meh, just checked. So it is. I thought they were the same. Guess ya learn something new every day.

 

[Tuddy]

to resurrect this thread from the duldrums of page 3...i'm looking at flying into munich in july (out of sydney, if that makes any difference). i seem to remember there being some literature somewhere saying that anywhere etihad flew, singapore couldn't codeshare with virgin (anti-competitiveness or something like that??) does anyone know whether there's some kind of loophole in terms of being able to earn SCs and points on a flight to munich whilst flying singapore airlines (with whom i would much rather travel with, having heard a VERY mixed bag about etihad)

 

[leemin]

6 months ago, Etihad staff didnt know who/what to do with velocity members. But i imagine now, gold and platinums will be allowed to board first along with Etihad Gold/Gold elite guests and business/first class passengers, regardless of the cabin class they are travelling in.

I'm curious to know where people are getting the idea of priority boarding from? It's not listed as a benefit with Etihad on the Velocity website..

Given Etihad is their 'main' airline partner, it is a glaring omission IMO. They do list priority check-in (at J counter), extra baggage and lounge access. Although, the fact that the lounge is the Al Reem lounge is a PITA - it's in a different terminal to where you transit to/from Aus.

 

[airtraveladdict]

to resurrect this thread from the duldrums of page 3...i'm looking at flying into munich in july (out of sydney, if that makes any difference). i seem to remember there being some literature somewhere saying that anywhere etihad flew, singapore couldn't codeshare with virgin (anti-competitiveness or something like that??) does anyone know whether there's some kind of loophole in terms of being able to earn SCs and points on a flight to munich whilst flying singapore airlines (with whom i would much rather travel with, having heard a VERY mixed bag about etihad)

i'm pretty sure you can still earn points for flying SQ. as long as you provide them with your velocity mem no. but it depends whether you want to earn more points or not, because depending on your status, you can earn 50% bonus on etihad if your gold/plat and 75% if you flew from Sydney to Abu dhabi on Virgin Australia's plane.

 

[notzac]

to resurrect this thread from the duldrums of page 3...i'm looking at flying into munich in july (out of sydney, if that makes any difference). i seem to remember there being some literature somewhere saying that anywhere etihad flew, singapore couldn't codeshare with virgin (anti-competitiveness or something like that??) does anyone know whether there's some kind of loophole in terms of being able to earn SCs and points on a flight to munich whilst flying singapore airlines (with whom i would much rather travel with, having heard a VERY mixed bag about etihad)

This has come up a few times now - there's absolutely no problem with earning points and status credits on any SQ marketed and operated flight, providing it is purchased in an appropriate fare class. VA choose not to code share on SQ metal for markets where they have an existing relationship with EY, but that is a completely separate issue.

 

[pblackie]

I'm curious to know where people are getting the idea of priority boarding from? It's not listed as a benefit with Etihad on the Velocity website..

Given Etihad is their 'main' airline partner, it is a glaring omission IMO. They do list priority check-in (at J counter), extra baggage and lounge access. Although, the fact that the lounge is the Al Reem lounge is a PITA - it's in a different terminal to where you transit to/from Aus.

I normally just join the Priority boarding line and have my Gold card ready with my boarding card, never been questioned or told I shouldnt.

 

[bigbadbyrnes]

I must agree, there is a baffling range of reports on the AUH transfer/stopover.

Some say its ok, others insist its a non-option. The Al Reem lounge has been described as everything from 'comfortable and easy to get to' to 'If I told you just how bad it was, my post would be deleted'.

I'm in a similar situation to the OP (and others I'm sure) trying to work out weather to use EY or SQ for a trip SYD -> CDG (either via Singapore or via AUH, the trip times being basically equal).

Is maybe all we can say that 'there is no consensus regarding how poorly you'll find the experience of flying with EY/VA via AUH, so just approach with low expectations and hope for the best'? I don't see any other conclusion, but would read more reports and opinions intently.