VAtlantic vs Emirates vs Etihad J (vs Malaysia)

[sdhog2002]

Looking to fly LHR to Oz J class next year with award points for Mrs sdhog and myself. There is the option now of using any of VAtlantic, Etihad, Malaysia or Emirates.
Considering inflight (meals/seats) and lounge access (would really like showers LHR and en route), which airline would you recommend? I note that Malaysia taxes are $755 each so that is a BIG disincentive (VAtlantic $407, Emirates $217 and Etihad probably same as VAtlantic).

 

[JetLagged]

I don't know when you are planning on flying over, but have you looked at the qntas UK site of late: there is a great Super Saver J class fare for 3069 pounds total, each, of course.

 

[sdhog2002]

Thanks JetLagged, but am looking at award flights, so much cheaper than that!!!

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks JetLagged, but am looking at award flights, so much cheaper than that!!!

It will depend on which airline has seats available at the time you want to go, each of them would be good in J, Malaysian been more expensive might have more award availability.


Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[markis10]

I would say Emirates given they are the cheapest and have a good rep for J.

 

[pauly7]

Emirates are ok if you can jag their newer planes.

Their J in some planes is very average.

Ethiad are more consistent.

 

[Dalescott]

Etihad has better planes, Malaysia have not flown with yet, VAtlantic service was rubbish, Emirates depends on where you are flying to. Emirates to Sydney A380 great, Melbourne planes are old and they are showing there age (I know some EK maintenance staff). Go with Etihad.

 

[BNE777]

Virgin Atlantic because the Club House at LHR and at Hong Kong are superb and put other lounges to shame. Remember to get a haircut, manicure or jacuzzi before you eat at the restaurant before boarding. The hard product is excellent in terms of sleeping and bigger than the other J products you are looking at.

Also the VS private security channel at LHR makes it a wonderful. The bar onboard is a novelty but also makes for a chance to have a wander about and stretch legs. Am VS gold currently and flown this route about 6 times and enjoy it more than other J experiences.

EK's J class I find cramped as they put too many across the cabin, and Malaysian J is angled, not flat bed. Ethihad I have not flown personally so am unable to comment.

 

[Travel Guru]

Having flown Etihad I would most definitely go for them; fantastic product, outstanding service and hands down THE best inflight menu I've come across in Business Class.

Malaysia Airlines although a good airline never really rates all that highly among my clients.

As the comments have suggested, Emirates is good depending on which plane you get, but can be very inconsistent.

Definitely EY in my book.

TG

 

[browski]

I'm guessing you are attempting a Velocity redemption.

There has never been any actual verification of a (non-VB, non-VA) Velocity redemption ever being achieved.

Your choice will be governed by the lack of availability and your tolerance to deal with the Velocity phone "on-hold system" and/or their Telephone staff.

Now is a good time to start lowering your expectations.

By the way, I believe if your are just planning to redeem LHR-Oz one-way, this will not be possible.

 

[sdhog2002]

Thanks all. Browski, you certainly have lowered my expectations. Suppose I should prepare myself for the phone call! Will let you all know what happens. Need to just accumulate a few more points this month. Fortunately we are looking at September next year, so lots of time for me to worry!

 

[Walloper]

For my points it's most certainly VA - as mentioned above, the lounges are just magnificent. VA's J seats are the best beds I've seen and used in the air - the seat does not simply roll flat (as per QF etc) but flips over to a real mattress. Their bedding is far better than anything else we've flown as well. Food and amenities are much of a muchness - but I slept both legs away anyway ...

 

[poikilo]

browski;370927]I'm guessing you are attempting a Velocity redemption.
 
There has never been any actual verification of a (non-VB, non-VA) Velocity redemption ever being achieved.

I have just this week booked flights for Mrs Poikilo and the 3 little Poiks SYD-ROM-SYD for mid-next year with Etihad using velocity points. Incidentally, I've never earned a point through virgin flights, all points were transferred into velocity from credit card accounts.

I had no trouble with Velocity's phone system or with their call centre staff - all were most helpful. We have 2 business seats going over, and 2 first class coming back, all the rest are economy (little poiks not very happy with me!), and all very reasonable in terms of points outlay. I had to move my preferred flying dates by a day at each end of the trip, and yes, I had to wait on hold for about 10 minutes, but other than that the process was not at all vexing.

 

[markis10]

I had no trouble with Velocity's phone system or with their call centre staff - all were most helpful. We have 2 business seats going over, and 2 first class coming back, all the rest are economy (little poiks not very happy with me!), and all very reasonable in terms of points outlay. I had to move my preferred flying dates by a day at each end of the trip, and yes, I had to wait on hold for about 10 minutes, but other than that the process was not at all vexing.

Welcome to AFF, we appreciate input from both sides of the experience, positive and negative, and it is good to hear a positive one!

 

[browski]

browski;370927]I'm guessing you are attempting a Velocity redemption.
 
There has never been any actual verification of a (non-VB, non-VA) Velocity redemption ever being achieved.

I have just this week booked flights for Mrs Poikilo and the 3 little Poiks SYD-ROM-SYD for mid-next year with Etihad using velocity points.

Congratulations, and thanks for putting it on the record. Just out of curiosity, do your redeemed flights carry VA or EY flight numbers?

 

[poikilo]

Congratulations, and thanks for putting it on the record. Just out of curiosity, do your redeemed flights carry VA or EY flight numbers?

Just checked the E-Tickets - all four flights carry EY Numbers. I also should have mentioned that with Etihad we were lucky enough to get all the tickets at the Rewards rates, meaning the whole deal was just over 600,000 points cheaper with Etihad than it would have been with Emirates.

Also, relating back to the original question, the total cost for fees and taxes was AUD$1,001.

 

[sdhog2002]

Thank you poikilo. Great reply.
I also phoned the Velocity desk to make enquiries. The lady I spoke to said I could make one way LHR SYD redemptions. She said they were dearer than return, but with Etihad she actually quoted me the same (ie half return ie 128000 Business). With VA she quoted 141000 pts one way. When asked when I could book, she was exceptionally vague. Said bookings opened 11 months in advance (I wish to fly 10/10/11) but when pushed to give me a date when I should phone to book for that particular date she said "about" or "try next month" etc. When I pushed her further, she went away and returned with the answer February 1. I couldn't seem to advance the argument that that was not ten months in advance. I assumed she gave that date because isn't that when the Etihad codeshare begins? Most interested to hear you have already booked, poikilo.

 

[sdhog2002]

Update: Just booked two one way tickets using points LHR SYD October next year on Etihad. Was unable to book one-way with VAtlantic - they only book return. Call staff very helpful, but obviously the only people at the call centre who know what really is going on are those who do the bookings themselves.

 

[zig]

Update: Was unable to book one-way with VAtlantic - they only book return.

Interesting that you couldn't book VS one way. I have had 3 award flights with them and they were all one way flights. I booked them via the VS website, not Velocity, so perhaps that is the difference, but I would still have expected you to be able to book a one way flight.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Having flown Etihad I would most definitely go for them; fantastic product, outstanding service and hands down THE best inflight menu I've come across in Business Class.

Malaysia Airlines although a good airline never really rates all that highly among my clients.

As the comments have suggested, Emirates is good depending on which plane you get, but can be very inconsistent.

Definitely EY in my book.






TG

That's a very positive report TG. Will throw them into the mix.

How do I get QF benefits to DBX? I have a mate there who has asked us to drop by.