Airline Review: Etihad
When I think of the Middle East, I tend to think of blingful excess. Gold toilets, $1000 cocktails and jaguar necklaces with sapphires for eyes.
Sadly Etihad, Abu Dhabi’s national carrier, is nothing like that.
Etihad is elegant, understated and in every way, a calming experience. The planes are new, the seat back entertainment units work (even if the movie selection is on the safe side) and the food is exceptional. I ordered a gluten-free meal so I can’t speak for other passengers but my food was fresh, healthy and flavoursome (and promptly delivered. Hint: if you want your meal first, order something special). I flew Coral Class (aka Economy) from Sydney – Abu Dhabi – Oman which is a 24 hr trip including transit time so I had plenty of time to think about this and, yep, I still love them.
The service, from check-in through to disembarkation, is seamless. No mistakes. No fuss. Just friendly, helpful and professional all the way.
Compare this to diabolical hell that Emirates put me through last year when they left me stranded in Bangkok for two days and I know which airline I will be choosing.
Etihad has Earlybird Fares to Europe on sale now. Do yourself a favour and buy some. Hell, buy me one too!
I flew Etihad last year to Europe and thought they were ok too, but I don’t have any others on that route to compare them to – yet, I think another European jaunt is in my near future so I’ll see how that goes.