BNE-AUH in J, any recommendations?

[spiggy_topes]

Have been asked to teach a course in Abu Dhabi in early March. Client pays for business class airfares and have just requalified as WP so routing more important than points at present. Options look like

- Etihad via Singapore - but have heard very variable reports about in-flight service
- Emirates to Dubai then on by car - but last time I flew this route EK were using an older plane, with seats that were difficult to sleep in
- Others?

Any recommendations much appreciated. I'm not so concerned about food and wine, just want a hassle-free experience at each end and the chance to get some sleep en route.

 

[bravoecho1]

There's also CX via HKG and DXB and then car/bus transfer to AUH.

 

[docjames]

There's also Royal Jordanian but you end up havng to go via Amman as well.

personally, I'd be going Cathay as there seems to be less hassles with them than EK or Etihad, plus you can also have 1-2 day stopever in HK.

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Good Evening spiggy_topes

Emirates operate 777-300ERs on its single daily service to Brisbane via Singapore. The airline offers Suites in First, lie-flat seats in Business and the new Weber seats in Economy. As you may be aware, Emirates will commence nonstop A340-500 services to Brisbane with effect from early February 2009. This aircraft features Suites in First, lie-flat seats in Business and older-style Economy seats. Emirates’ new Lounge in Brisbane hasn’t been open for too long and it has been given good reviews.

Etihad also operate 777-300ER services to Brisbane and revert back to A330-200s in late-March. Both aircraft feature the Airline’s Pearl Zone seating (akin to the superseded BA Club World product) with a fully flat bad. Etihad’s Brisbane frequencies are poor, with just three services a week. I booked one of our pilots in Etihad J from Brisbane to Europe recently and he has nothing but positive comments towards the experience. Yes the stopover in Singapore is inconvenient, however the service he received was excellent and he was able to sleep for an extended period of time. Etihad, like Emirates offer a chauffeur service on a complimentary basis, provided the distance from your residence to Brisbane International Airport is less or equal to 90km (if > your are charged – being on the Sunshine Coast I imagine this won’t be of much use to you).

Whether you have a positive or negative experience will depend upon whether the aircraft is late, if the hard product is functioning correctly, the catering is of a high standard and whether the crews provide good service – at the end of the day we can all provide recommendations, but it’s obviously up to you to determine what is more suitable for you.

Cathay Pacific is certainly an option, although the airline operates a mixture of aircraft and offers a variety of products to/from Brisbane, ranging from 2 and 3-class A340-300s (always sold as 2-class though), A330-300s with the regional product offering, the lie-flat J seating and the new herringbone VS/NZ/DL style J seating. With Emirates and Etihad there is consistency in terms of hard product, although IMO, service and catering-wise, Cathay Pacific will always be on top!

Do let us know who you decide to fly with!

Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!

Cheers,
WD

 

[spiggy_topes]

Thank you all very much. I wasn't aware that Emirates were starting a non-stop service between Brisbane and Dubai; this certainly sounds the best option, especially with the lie-flat beds.

Emirates also score since I may take a side-trip to see a friend in Muscat and they have a flight that connects with their Australian services.

Best wishes and Happy Christmas

Spigsimund Topes.

 

[2muchplastic]

I'm going to jump in late, and add my vote for Emirates. I've flown both Etihad and Emirates from the UK into BNE, and the preference was definitely Emirates.

The service was better, the food better, and despite DXB airport being a shambles, it was still better than AUH (though this may have changed with the opening of the new terminals at both airports, it was last year that I travelled with them).
And if you can get the new A340 service to cut out the stop in Singapore, that'd be excellent. Saves a couple of hours if nothing else!

 

[emirates777]

There is also the option of Singapore Airlines. They just started flights to Abu Dhabi direct from Singapore last year