Virgin Blue links up with Etihad

[Yada Yada]

Etihad Airways signs network deal with Australian carrier
Himendra Mohan Kumar, Staff Reporter
Published: November 06, 2007, 16:10

Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s national airline, Etihad Airways, has inked a new deal under which Etihad customers will gain greater access to destinations in Australia.

Under the agreement with the Australian company, Virgin Blue, Etihad’s customers would be able to travel from Abu Dhabi in its flights to both Sydney and Brisbane and then connect seamlessly on to 22 cities across Australia on Virgin Blue.

[...snip...]

“Our new partnership means that our passengers can travel from anywhere on the Virgin Blue network to any of Etihad’s 45 international destinations with ease,” said Brett Godfrey, Virgin Blue’s chief executive.

Full Story...

According to the story, the deal comes into effect immediately.

 

[NM]

So is it going to be a codeshare arrangement or just a marketing and interlining agreement? Either way its got to be good for Etihad customers and for DJ.

 

[oz_mark]

So is it going to be a codeshare arrangement or just a marketing and interlining agreement? Either way its got to be good for Etihad customers and for DJ.

Interlining: Virgin Blue > News and Press Releases

 

[Travel Guru]

Based on the feedback ive received, i wouldnt fly Etihad if you paid me.

TG

 

[Standby]

Based on the feedback ive received, i wouldnt fly Etihad if you paid me.

TG

It may be they are growing too quickly but I suggested my elderly inlaws use them to aviod transits at Heathrow last month.They actually ran out of food in Y cabin on both legs ex and into Aust, and the motherin law called their FAs the FAs John West rejected...no one else would give them a gig..my ears are still bleeding form the rant.
You can have the best new planes in the world but if yr customer service isnt right.....sample of 2...they wont be back.

 

[Travel Guru]

It may be they are growing too quickly but I suggested my elderly inlaws use them to aviod transits at Heathrow last month.They actually ran out of food in Y cabin on both legs ex and into Aust, and the motherin law called their FAs the FAs John West rejected...no one else would give them a gig..my ears are still bleeding form the rant.
You can have the best new planes in the world but if yr customer service isnt right.....sample of 2...they wont be back.

Their customer service is letting them down left, right and centre.

I've heard from clients where the meals were served cold and the FA's looked at the pax like they were from mars when they asked why it wasnt heated.

So many more stories in such a short time flying, but if they don't learn some customer service skills, they wont be flying into AU for long.

Both their ground and aircrew need to be taken aside and given some serious training.

I wouldn't risk flying with them for anything, its just not worth risking catching one of their staff having a "bad day"

TG

 

[browski]

So many more stories in such a short time flying, but if they don't learn some customer service skills, they wont be flying into AU for long.

Both their ground and aircrew need to be taken aside and given some serious training.

I wouldn't risk flying with them for anything, its just not worth risking catching one of their staff having a "bad day"

TG

You're kidding aren't you. Etihad is an excellent airline. So too is Qatar Airways.

Did you not read the full link? :"The Sydney route has proved such a success, with more than 60,000 passengers flying on the sector since its launch, that in March 2008, Etihad will increase the service to 11 flights a week,” the company said in a statement"

I think the public have voted with their feet and Etihad will be flying into AU for many, many years to come.

 

[Travel Guru]

You're kidding aren't you. Etihad is an excellent airline. So too is Qatar Airways.

Did you not read the full link? :"The Sydney route has proved such a success, with more than 60,000 passengers flying on the sector since its launch, that in March 2008, Etihad will increase the service to 11 flights a week,” the company said in a statement"

I think the public have voted with their feet and Etihad will be flying into AU for many, many years to come.

Come on Browski, don't be so naive, the public vote with their wallet first...next you'll be telling me Jetstar is a fantastic airline.

I'm not saying they are a bad airline, im saying they need alot of improvements in customer service and systems, as they are extremely hit and miss, and whilst you might have had a good experience, i can guarantee you the guys working in my agency can give you more than a handful of complaints they've received over the last few months.

TG

 

[Yada Yada]

Come on Browski, don't be so naive, the public vote with their wallet first...next you'll be telling me Jetstar is a fantastic airline.

Well... Jetstar named CAPA Low Cost Carrier of the Year

Jetstar named CAPA Low Cost Carrier of the Year
Thursday, November 01, 2007

The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) has awarded Jetstar the “CAPA Low Cost Airline of the Year” in the Asia Pacific region, the second time the value based carrier has won the prestigious annual award in its short operational history.

Australia’s leading low fares airline in July this year secured the reputable SkyTrax Awards for “Best LCC in the World”, “Best LCC in the Asia Pacific Region” and “Best Cabin Crew – Australia and New Zealand”. Jetstar also achieved Airline BusinessMagazine’s award for Operational Excellence.

Yet... Jetstar near miss blamed on throttles

Jetstar near miss blamed on throttles
Stephen Moynihan - October 31, 2007

A JETSTAR flight that came within moments of landing on a runway its crew could not see had its engine throttles in the wrong setting, according to an investigation released yesterday.

On the morning of July 21, the Jetstar A320 from Christchurch with 138 passengers made two attempts to land at a fog-bound Melbourne Airport.

I guess every airline has its good and bad news. Can't say that I've seen any bad news about Etihad in the local papers but then again maybe it's not regarded as newsworthy as stories about QF/JQ/DJ.

 

[simongr]

I guess every airline has its good and bad news. Can't say that I've seen any bad news about Etihad in the local papers but then again maybe it's not regarded as newsworthy as stories about QF/JQ/DJ.

There was that teeny tiny piece of press about some aussies getting arrested... Aussies Deported After Etihad Row - Traveloscopy Information Portal: Cruise Explore Expedition Travel News

 

[stryker]

There was that teeny tiny piece of press about some aussies getting arrested... Aussies Deported After Etihad Row - Traveloscopy Information Portal: Cruise Explore Expedition Travel News

Thanks for your timely info, Simon.

Others may think Etihad is a fine airline, but who wants to be beaten half to death and taken to a cough prison in the Arabian desert, for speaking a bit loudly to a hostie (veiled of course)?

Not me...

:mrgreen:

 

[SeatBackForward]

Thanks for your timely info, Simon.

Others may think Etihad is a fine airline, but who wants to be beaten half to death and taken to a cough prison in the Arabian desert, for speaking a bit loudly to a hostie (veiled of course)?

Not me...

:mrgreen:

Sounds a lot like that US firm called "Rendition Airlines".

 

[Therma]

Why automatically defend the Australians? While I am sure that there is a large portion of blame that should be attributed to the airline ( I would hardly want to cough up for the first class and have things not work), surely the eyewitness accounts of most of the other passengers must bear some weight. Just because you are in first class, you have to retain some decorum and not treat the crew as slaves. Write a complaint, take your business elsewhere. Keep your hairy cough to yourselves. No sympathy.:evil:

Thanks for your timely info, Simon.

Others may think Etihad is a fine airline, but who wants to be beaten half to death and taken to a cough prison in the Arabian desert, for speaking a bit loudly to a hostie (veiled of course)?

Not me...

:mrgreen: