Etihad or Virgin to AUH

[pblackie]

I've got a Business class flight to AUH coming up and I'm wondering whether to book VA or EY. Anyone flown both and got a preference?

 

[justcallmeryan]

I've got a Business class flight to AUH coming up and I'm wondering whether to book VA or EY. Anyone flown both and got a preference?

There's a couple of questions I would ask before recommending:

Are you traveling by yourself or with someone? If you're by yourself EY is far better, much more private. If you're traveling with someone then the middle row on EY or any combo seat on VA is good.

Do you have status with VA? You will get slightly nicer treatment on VA metal than EY, but given you're in J class it's probably same same.

Catering and AVOD are good on both, although EY do have a couple of older 340 planes still flying which have smaller screens. The newer 330 or 777's are much nicer. VA only flies their 777 so less confusion.

If I was paying for J I would probably go EY but wouldn't pay a premium for it.

 

[zainman]

Etihad over VA

 

[pblackie]

There's a couple of questions I would ask before recommending:

Are you traveling by yourself or with someone? If you're by yourself EY is far better, much more private. If you're traveling with someone then the middle row on EY or any combo seat on VA is good.

Do you have status with VA? You will get slightly nicer treatment on VA metal than EY, but given you're in J class it's probably same same.

Catering and AVOD are good on both, although EY do have a couple of older 340 planes still flying which have smaller screens. The newer 330 or 777's are much nicer. VA only flies their 777 so less confusion.

If I was paying for J I would probably go EY but wouldn't pay a premium for it.

I'll be travelling by myself and burning miles (either all miles or part cash part miles) for the flight and I'm platinum with VA. Looking at various reviews Etihad seems to be the better product with the exception of the IFE on some of their aircraft

 

[notzac]

I've got a Business class flight to AUH coming up and I'm wondering whether to book VA or EY. Anyone flown both and got a preference?

It's actually a pretty tough call.. hard product is better on EY, service is better (IMHO) on VA, food is equally good on both. If you prefer a more "Australian" style of service, go with VA.

 

[darraghk]

VA do have a nice bar on the 777 . As mentioned EY is better if travelling alone due to the seating.

 

[justcallmeryan]

VA do have a nice bar on the 777 . As mentioned EY is better if travelling alone due to the seating.

I totally forgot about this perk - it's been a while. I must admit that I have only once enjoyed the bar on the VA777, and that was a VA1 to LAX. Being a day time flight I sat there for quite a few hours and enjoyed the company of some fellow travellers. It was actually a great way to pass the hours. Anytime I've been on an overnight flight it's usually more about sleeping!

 

[Justinf]

Depends on how tall you are from my point of view. There's no doubt the EY product is excellent, but the bed only extends to 185cm. If you under 6ft will get by, but any more than that and it's a struggle (I hated having to hang my legs out the side with an extra pillow to protect them from the edge of the capsule). VA's bed is longer.
I find EY's service and food to be superior and the private 'capsule' is fantastic for a solo traveller.
If only the bed was longer.

 

[darraghk]

I flew Syd-Auh a few weeks ago and a right old party was going on at the bar. In the end they had to cut a few people off quite funny.

 

[Atleastonce]

I am just about to start researching J SYD LHR return with VA points. I was going to do VA one way to AUH and etihad the return leg to compare. Is it worth doing one leg F on etihad AUH LHR, might be just able to stretch points balance to do that.

 

[justcallmeryan]

I am just about to start researching J SYD LHR return with VA points. I was going to do VA one way to AUH and etihad the return leg to compare. Is it worth doing one leg F on etihad AUH LHR, might be just able to stretch points balance to do that.

I've never flown EY F before but have heard great things. Personally I find their J product excellent so wouldn't splurge for the extra points, particularly for the shorter AUH LHR leg.