Which business seats does Etihad use from SYD/MEL?

[twiningb]

Cross-posting a question from FlyerTalk, where I have had no response yet, in case anyone here has substantial experience with EY in the last few years:


I flew Etihad a couple of times for work MEL-xAUH-LHR vv, in 2015 and 2016, in business class. Both trips were booked quite late, so I wouldn't have had a lot of seats to choose from.

I remember the soft product being reliably good. I think it was a mix of 77Ws and 388s; I don't think I've ever been in a 789 on EY metal. The seats were fine, but were probably slightly nicer in the 388, and I really liked the inflight lounge space. I'm quite tall (186cm) and I think in both cases the bed was slightly too short for me, although I managed to get comfortable enough for some sleep.

Now I'm looking at a booking for mid2024, where booking 11-12mo in advance I will hopefully have my choice of seats. The rotations on MEL and SYD seem to alternate between 77W and 789 depending on the day, and obviously that sort of thing could change over the next year. I have read that the 789 is generally nicer than the 77W in terms of seats (more like the 388 but with no lounge obviously). Is there a particular seat position in either airframe which might have a longer bed? Is there a chance that either city will get the 351 or forthcoming next-generation-seat 789, which both seem to have longer bed lengths? I note that SYD is probably the furthest port on EY's map now, and MEL isn't too far behind.

 

[CaptJCool]

the Business Studio is coming to Etihad 787s

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/6-new-business-class-seats-coming-to-the-skies/image-gallery/93e7681a5110953b96f727ae312d657c

 

[TMP]

Etihad Business Class Review: Boeing 777 vs Boeing 787 vs A350 (SYD-AUH-FCO)

In this Etihad Business Class review, we compare and contrast the evolution of the Gulf Carrier's pointy-end offering.

www.bosshunting.com.au

That article gives a handy overview of current J product across the fleet. Like you, I've only done the 789 and 388 on Etihad, both the 'Business Studio'. (Yes, the new product is coming to new 789s but no indication if coming to Australia as yet AFAIK - or the 350s). The 77W product is unfortunately older, yes. But apparently still comfy.

AFAIK, all J seats are the same, none with extra leg room e.g. at the bulkhead like some airlines like SQ.

 

[funnybrus]

Just got a change notification for MEL-AUH in December - subbed to 789 which I am very pleased about.

 

[twiningb]

Just got a change notification for MEL-AUH in December - subbed to 789 which I am very pleased about.

Interesting. Is it the same flight on the same day, just equipment-swapped from 77W to 789? Is it still the evening departure? My observation is that SYD/MEL have had afternoon departures on 789 days and evening departures on 77W days.

 

[TMP]

Just got a change notification for MEL-AUH in December - subbed to 789 which I am very pleased about.

Ooh, I'll check my Dec departure MEL-AUH too! Pleasingly already on the 388 AUH-LHR

Edit: Still 77W unfortunately and extra 25 mins on the stopover in AUH.

 

[funnybrus]

Interesting. Is it the same flight on the same day, just equipment-swapped from 77W to 789? Is it still the evening departure? My observation is that SYD/MEL have had afternoon departures on 789 days and evening departures on 77W days.

Same flight number, time moved from 14:55 to 16:10. Combined with a 45 minute earlier AUH-ZRH to connect to, stopover reduced from 5:05 to 3:15 which is nicer too.

 

[ozstamps]

I have flown Etihad several times to Europe in biz 4 or 5 years back and recall the seats were quite OK

I have however read reports in recent times the 777 seats are now pretty tired and ho-hum.

Looking to book in May - probably there will be a refurb .. who knows.

Need to get a lot of SC for Virgin Plat so can use either SQ or Qatar if sales ever occur as SC will all be about the same I guess .. Right now Etihad seems to have a $6250 return to London.

 

[jase05]

The 777 seats are old, tired and not a Premium product IMO. I try to avoid them if possible

 

[ozstamps]

Yes that seems to be the consensus.

Oddly I cannot locate the SC earn table for long haul partner flights, to see whether it is worth the ¬$12,000 outlay for 2.

Used to be easy to find on Velocity site now things seem to go in loops to nowhere!

I assume Biz to Europe and back is still a lot of SC in Velocity? How many, the puter refuses to give me today.

 

[SYD]

Yes that seems to be the consensus.

Oddly I cannot locate the SC earn table for long haul partner flights, to see whether it is worth the ¬$12,000 outlay for 2.

Used to be easy to find on Velocity site now things seem to go in loops to nowhere!

I assume Biz to Europe and back is still a lot of SC in Velocity? How many, the puter refuses to give me today.

The earn should be the same as before.

Etihad Airways

Earn Velocity Points and Status Credits with Etihad Airways when you travel in an eligible class on flights with an EY flight number operated by Etihad Airways or Virgin Australia. Learn how to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits with Etihad Airways as well as how redeeming Reward Seat.

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

EY J Zone 5 (eg SYD-AUH) will earn 160 SCs
EY J Zone 4 (eg AUH-LHR) will earn 120 SCs

.. Right now Etihad seems to have a $6250 return to London.

That’s a relatively good fare at the moment.

 

[ozstamps]

Thanks .. no idea how hard it was to find!

Tempted to book now on ETIHAD website as you say a decent fare (any Etihad promos codes floating about that anyone is aware of?) as sadly Virgin website shows only SQ and Qatar flights - Etihad seems to have been given the cold shoulder.

In view of that I pray the partnership stay for the next few months - only reason to book Etihad is for the Virgin Status Credit.

I am guessing any 'divorce' will have a few months courtesy advance notice re-points and SC earning?

Be flying May/June.

 

[SYD]

VA WP also still gets access to the new EY F lounge in AUH.

 

[ozstamps]

Yes we have used that lounge a few times before - very nice .. might make up for the less than stellar 777 seats if we get that one!

Again if there is a 'divorce' that Virgin plat access will vanish fast. Any

No promo codes anyone has noted for Etihad site right now?

 

[jase05]

Yes we have used that lounge a few times before

I’m still yet to try out the brand new F lounge. Going through in a couple of months so keen to see how it stacks up to the old one

 

[ozstamps]

Yes one of the options I am looking at has an 8 or even longer hour layover. If the new F lounge has sleeper cubicles, we can dodge the hassle of an airport hotel.

I guess if Virgin 'divorces' any legit bookings made before any possible announcement, will still be honoured re SC and points earn etc?

 

[clifford]

This might help:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiswMiev-GDAxV8S2wGHcBGDRgQFnoECAoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fonemileatatime.com%2Freviews%2Fetihad-first-class-lounge-abu-dhabi%2F&usg=AOvVaw0Ph3d3VQKp5oPE5D2JVFkd&opi=89978449

I don't think there's any suggestion that Etihad will leave as a Virgin partner, rather that they're just becoming more stingy with releasing award seats.

 

[TMP]

Yes one of the options I am looking at has an 8 or even longer hour layover. If the new F lounge has sleeper cubicles, we can dodge the hassle of an airport hotel.

There are no private rooms, but open / partly private comfy chair "pods" in the new F lounge. Comfy but certainly not super private or dark.

Having done the 351 last week, and the 380 prior to Xmas, I can now say that while the 777 seats are tired overall and certainly not a premium seat in the current market, they are the best (for me anyway) for sleep because of the footwell position and the design of the seat in terms of where bits stick out and into your body when you lie in certain positions. The A and K seats are the best (for solo travellers).

(I'll get around to a post soon on my experience last week CDG-AUH-MEL).