Premium Economy to LHR

[EuroKick]

Hi all,

I've booked a premium economy flight to LHR in August with VA, but obviously I have to switch to Etihad economy in AUH. Just wondering what VA classify the fare class for these economy flights with Etihad. Can't seem to find any SC earn info.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ftm]

They will be booked into Economy fare class on those legs between AUH and Europe, generally one of the higher ones. If you can find out what the fare classes are on the various legs, that will give a definitive answer and the level of SC earn

 

[fqtv]

Just looked back over my statement - we did this flight in January and got 60 status credits for the LHR-AUH sector. FWIW we were booked under the VA flight number, and fare basis was OHRAEY on all segments, not sure what the actual fare bucket was on Etihad (it wasn't O).


I'm not sure I'd do it again though - the UK-Abu Dhabi sector is long, and it's not a great feeling sitting down the back knowing you paid for PE. There is obviously no service differentiation - you're just a regular Y pax. The service on EY was good for economy, but felt very cramped on the 777 (10 across). Try to get the A340 if you can.

 

[EuroKick]

Thanks for that! For some reason I was able to select seats on Etihad flight at the time of booking through the VA website, so snatched up the first row of economy on the A380 both ways.

 

[Ausbt]

I've flown this route twice this year. Agreed paying for PE and getting Y AUH-LHR feels ordinary, however the A380 is a great Y seat and the AVOD is the best I've seen. On EY's 777, Row 17 A & B is a two seater with bulkhead behind - go for this if you can.

As far as VA PE goes, I flew row 11 over and row 10 back (first row of PE with a bulkhead in front). I'm 5'9" and preferred row 10. Since the seat has no footrest, they give you a wedge-shaped mini-ottoman. I found by placing it on it's side and wedging it between magazine rack and fuselage, you could get a pretty comfortable elevated foot position. The pull-out AVOD is a bit compromised though - in 10K it's hard to get the screen straight and even harder when the tray table is out.