VA/EY from SYD to AUH and back

[PlutekPlutek]

Hi
I'm looking for some flights from Sydney to Abu Dhabi for an upcoming work trip. Need to depart Saturday 1 august and fly back a week later. I am a VA plat and looking at the options. On the way out the choice is between a VA and EY 777. I would take the VA and use points to upgrade. On the return leg the options are A380 to SYD, B789 to BNE or 777 to MEL. To use VA points to upgrade the first leg I need to book it as a VA flight. On the return leg if I pick any of the three options as a VA code shares the price is reasonable but if I pick an EY flight number it is an extra $1000 for some reason. I recently upgraded my mother in law in EY AUH-SYD using the upgrade bid and would consider the same myself but if I booked the flight as a VA flight number will this still be an option with Etihad? Alternatively, is it possible to ask for and pay for an upgrade in the lounge in AUH and would they upgrade a VA code share even if they operate it? From previous experience these code shares with other airlines are all sorts of trouble when you try to upgrade, pick seats etc. Staying in AUH an extra 2 days to wait for the VA B777 is not an option. Which of the three planes A380, B777, B789 are the most comfortable in Y? I will be coming to NTL so I can connect from MEL or BNE straight to NTL but going to Sydney means having to drive 2 hours after a 14 hour flight. What do you all think is the best option here?

 

[EUROPA]

Keep in mind, points upgrades on VA metal 777s are not always possible. Check the Velocity rewards site for the flight you are taking and see if there are any rewards seats left, if not, then you won't be able to upgrade, rewards and upgrades are the same fare class.

Wrt EY bid or paid check-in upgrades, these are both possible but the dates you have mentioned are peak so don't know about availability. The last few SYD-AUH EY flights I have done in J have been full, this includes a380 with it's 70 J seats!! Don't know if they'll allow paid upgrade on code shares as I always fly on EY tickets.

Don't forget, as a velocity plat you have access to 'first class' area within the AUH premium lounge.

 

[Ausbt]

Hi
Which of the three planes A380, B777, B789 are the most comfortable in Y?

The A380. I've flown EY's A380 and 777 AUH-LHR a couple of times this year in Y. If the 777, try to get the pair of seats in front of a bulkhead (all other rows being 3 seats). I've been lucky on the SYD-AUH route. Got an op-up from Y+ to J once and had a successful premium bid of $610 on another occasion.