Flight CGK -> AUH swapped for Wamos Air

[SCM]

Just got an email today that my flight CGK -> AUH on the 23rd (one of 4 in iteniery) was swapped for vamos air, apparently this is happening until the 26th Feb (very unlucky). The generic email says this would have been made visible during booking, but of course it wasn't, it was decided probably fairly recently.

I'm pretty ticked off because I was looking forward to flying in one of the EY's new dreamliners on the longest leg of the route, and the thing which is most annoying is the lack of wifi in the aircraft (according to their email). Is there anything I can do in terms of asking them for some compensation? Any other advice?

This is my first time flying EY J or other cabins, so already off to a pretty coughpy start to the experience.

 

[jb747]

Wamos I think. Spanish, low cost charter operator.

 

[AIRwin]

Changes were first made in September 2023 (and subsequently extended):

Etihad Adds Leased Wamos Air A330 in Oct 2023 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1700GMT 19SEP23 Etihad Airways during the month of October 2023 is adjusting service operational aircraft on Abu Dhabi – Jakarta route, as the 2 daily flights to be operated by Wamos Air Airbus A330-200/-300 aircraft. The leased aircraft will be operating between 01OCT23 and 31OCT23

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[Thibault]

https://www.etihadhub.com/en-ae/news/update-on-our-flights-from-and-to-jakarta

https://www.etihad.com/en/legal/flights-operated-by-wamos

Yes, it's quite unfortunate.
They also use those aircrafts to BRU...

 

[Stewarto]

This happened to me in early October 23. Got an email a couple of days before. I couldn’t change flights as it was an award flight and I had a paid flight 5 hours later out of Jakarta.
The Wamos plane and seating was very old maybe 20 years, crew was all Wamos except one Etihad manager, who I complained too but she just ignored me. The business class seats were very uncomfortable, the plane was extremely hot and many things were broken in the cabin.
My wife’s screen was broken and unresponsive except when you turned it off it would turn itself back on at maximum brightness. The crew ended up taping a blanket of her entertainment screen. Just so she could try to sleep. Not that there was much to watch on the system anyway.
Was very disappointed and frustrated with the downgrade to what is essentially a defunct low cost airline. I put all this in writing to Etihad and they said they would reply within 6 weeks and they never did.
Id try to change the booking if you can.

 

[SCM]

I can't really change much even if I wanted to, it's a work trip so I need to be in Europe before the 26th for sure, it's very annoying (especially the lack of wifi as I was planning to be working on this flight).

How should I contact Eithad? I would be happy if at least they gave me free unlimited wifi on the other flights for example as compensation.

 

[Stewarto]

I can't really change much even if I wanted to, it's a work trip so I need to be in Europe before the 26th for sure, it's very annoying (especially the lack of wifi as I was planning to be working on this flight).

How should I contact Eithad? I would be happy if at least they gave me free unlimited wifi on the other flights for example as compensation.

You could call or email them, I don’t think they will offer any compensation though, they seem to have washed their hands of this.
They said that they don’t have enough planes so they had to do this, however they have since started new routes since.
It’s disappointing bait and switch.

 

[clifford]

I can't really change much even if I wanted to, it's a work trip so I need to be in Europe before the 26th for sure, it's very annoying (especially the lack of wifi as I was planning to be working on this flight).

How should I contact Eithad? I would be happy if at least they gave me free unlimited wifi on the other flights for example as compensation.

I really don't think there's much you can do about this. Unfortunately, I think you'll just have to suck it up. By all means write to EY, they might throw you a bone, but I doubt it.

Perhaps next time book a flight from MNL, which doesn't seem to suffer the same issues. And FWIW, from personal experience, the 787's business class isn't that great (unless you want to be looking an adjacent passenger in the eye (forwards / backwards facing seats).

Now, the EY A350's are another thing altogether.

 

[SCM]

Righto, thanks for the advice. I might write up a nice little review here once I'm in the lounge heh.

 

[littleanna]

Just one week before my scheduled departure, I received an email notifying me that my flight from AUH to CGK would be operated by Wamos Air instead of Etihad.
Considering I had booked a Business class ticket, I was naturally upset and concerned, especially after researching Wamos Air through YouTube videos and reviews. To make matters worse, the price of the flight had dropped by £500 per person since the announcement.
Despite my attempts to address the situation with Opodo, the platform through which I had booked the flights, I encountered resistance. However, I persisted in reaching out to Etihad through both phone calls and live chat, spending long hours trying to find a resolution.
After much effort, I managed to secure a full refund from Etihad, as I argued that Wamos Air did not offer an equivalent or better quality service. In addition, I took the step of blocking the payment on my Amex card and opened a dispute to protect my consumer rights.
This entire ordeal spanned a week of back-and-forth communications between Opodo and Etihad. Opodo insisted that the issue was with Etihad, while Etihad claimed they couldn't intervene as the booking was made through Opodo. Eventually, they agreed to collaborate and issued a refund within 7 working days.
Despite the resolution, the entire experience has left me deeply dissatisfied with Etihad Airways. Until they reconsider their contract with Wamos Air, I have decided not to book with Etihad in the future. I encourage others facing similar issues to persistently engage with Etihad through live chat, as they tend to respond promptly.
Wishing you a good luck in your travels

 

[AIRwin]

Etihad NS24 HD 777-300ER Operations – 25FEB24 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1000GMT 26FEB24 Etihad Airways in recent schedule update filed service changes to its planned High Density 402-seater Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, during Northern summer 2024 season, effective 31MAR24. As of 25FEB24, planned 402-seater operation includes the following. Abu Dhabi – Jak

www.aeroroutes.com