I had an interesting flight yesterday, so thought I'll write up a trip report on it.
On Thursday, 25th March, I was informed by work that I needed to be in Bahrain by Sunday, 28th March and couldn't leave till EOB, Friday. Looking online, I managed to find a flight on Etihad via Sydney and Abu Dhabi for just over $2000. This was on the Qantas website using the Qantas code-share... so that I could get the SCs. The other option via HKG came in at $7700 for a full economy fare.
I walked up to MEL domestic at 12:00 for the 13:00 flight to Sydney and got my pre-selected seat. Went to the Business lounge for a few drinks before heading to the gate. At the gate, my pass wouldn't work and on checking with the counter, I was informed that I had been upgraded to Business. My first ever Operational Upgrade.
Even though it was just a short 1 hour flight, it felt good. The luggage was checked all the way to BAH, but I had to check-in to Etihad in Sydney.
By the time I got to Sydney International terminal, I was told I was the last person to check-in. The flight was oversold and I was offered US$300 and a business class seat on the next flight (5 hours later). I would still have go into BAH at 9 AM, so accepted the offer. What is another 5 hours in the QF First Lounge. I'd gladly take that wait for 14 hours in Business.
My tickets were re-booked and boarding passes printed. The only thing left was for the US$300. While waiting, I found out that the next flight was oversold by 30 seats and Etihad had oversold all flights all weekend. There were people on standby who were being turned away and told not much chance till Monday. Just as I was about to pick up my new boarding passes, the counter got a call from the gate that one passenger from AKL, although checked-in had not shown up. They withdrew my offer and put me back on the same plane. I was escorted through customs and security and to the gate and boarded last. This also meant my pre-selected seat was no longer available and I was put at the back of the plane in the middle.
The manager on duty apologised and said that they will make it up to me and took down my return flight details. Will they do anything and do I have a chance at an upgrade on the return flight???? I'll find out in 2 weeks.
The seats on Etihad are very very small. They have this footrest that folds up and takes up so much space. For a 6' 3" person, I felt very uncomfortable. The AIS basketball team was on the same flight and those guys had all the exit row seats. Considering that they are all 7' plus, I was happy for them. Surprisingly, the flight was smooth. I saw 2012 on the TV, ate lunch (my special meal was available), fell asleep, woke up at breakfast time, saw another movie and arrived into Abu Dhabi. They meant that I must have slept atleast 9 hours on a stretch.
In Abu Dhabi, I tried getting into the lounges. I could not go to the Etihad lounge as only Etihad business and gold members are allowed. QF platinum are not. I tried the Gazal lounge and QF platinum are only allowed if flying on BA. So, I was stuck waiting outside for 4 hours while waiting for the next flight. The flight to BAH was on time and smooth as well.
Based on my two flights on Etihad, they are an efficient and smooth airline in the air. Don't know if they always oversell as much or this weekend was a special case. In any case, the clincher for me was the lack of lounge access for WP. The whole trip was 22 hours elapsed time, the same as if I went with CX via HKG. But with CX, I would have access to the Wing in HKG. With no lounge access in AUH, I doubt I will fly with them again.
Now to wait and see what happens on the return flights.....
On Thursday, 25th March, I was informed by work that I needed to be in Bahrain by Sunday, 28th March and couldn't leave till EOB, Friday. Looking online, I managed to find a flight on Etihad via Sydney and Abu Dhabi for just over $2000. This was on the Qantas website using the Qantas code-share... so that I could get the SCs. The other option via HKG came in at $7700 for a full economy fare.
I walked up to MEL domestic at 12:00 for the 13:00 flight to Sydney and got my pre-selected seat. Went to the Business lounge for a few drinks before heading to the gate. At the gate, my pass wouldn't work and on checking with the counter, I was informed that I had been upgraded to Business. My first ever Operational Upgrade.
Even though it was just a short 1 hour flight, it felt good. The luggage was checked all the way to BAH, but I had to check-in to Etihad in Sydney.By the time I got to Sydney International terminal, I was told I was the last person to check-in. The flight was oversold and I was offered US$300 and a business class seat on the next flight (5 hours later). I would still have go into BAH at 9 AM, so accepted the offer. What is another 5 hours in the QF First Lounge.
I'd gladly take that wait for 14 hours in Business. My tickets were re-booked and boarding passes printed. The only thing left was for the US$300. While waiting, I found out that the next flight was oversold by 30 seats and Etihad had oversold all flights all weekend. There were people on standby who were being turned away and told not much chance till Monday. Just as I was about to pick up my new boarding passes, the counter got a call from the gate that one passenger from AKL, although checked-in had not shown up. They withdrew my offer and put me back on the same plane. I was escorted through customs and security and to the gate and boarded last. This also meant my pre-selected seat was no longer available and I was put at the back of the plane in the middle.
The manager on duty apologised and said that they will make it up to me and took down my return flight details. Will they do anything and do I have a chance at an upgrade on the return flight???? I'll find out in 2 weeks.
The seats on Etihad are very very small. They have this footrest that folds up and takes up so much space. For a 6' 3" person, I felt very uncomfortable. The AIS basketball team was on the same flight and those guys had all the exit row seats. Considering that they are all 7' plus, I was happy for them. Surprisingly, the flight was smooth. I saw 2012 on the TV, ate lunch (my special meal was available), fell asleep, woke up at breakfast time, saw another movie and arrived into Abu Dhabi. They meant that I must have slept atleast 9 hours on a stretch.
In Abu Dhabi, I tried getting into the lounges. I could not go to the Etihad lounge as only Etihad business and gold members are allowed. QF platinum are not. I tried the Gazal lounge and QF platinum are only allowed if flying on BA. So, I was stuck waiting outside for 4 hours while waiting for the next flight. The flight to BAH was on time and smooth as well.
Based on my two flights on Etihad, they are an efficient and smooth airline in the air. Don't know if they always oversell as much or this weekend was a special case. In any case, the clincher for me was the lack of lounge access for WP. The whole trip was 22 hours elapsed time, the same as if I went with CX via HKG. But with CX, I would have access to the Wing in HKG. With no lounge access in AUH, I doubt I will fly with them again.
Now to wait and see what happens on the return flights.....
