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#1
10-04-2008, 00:19
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Etihad from Dublin to BKK
I live in Dublin and will be returning to LOS in September so I've been looking at my flight options.
On my last three trips I've flown with Swiss and BA/Qantas and have been able to pass the long flight with the help of the in-seat entertainment system that those airlines provide. However, among the cheaper options this time are Etihad (via Abu Dhabi). They use an Airbus A332 between Dublin and Abu Dhabi and a Boeing 777 between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok. Just wondering if anyone has flown with Etihad before, particularly on this route and whether they also have the in-seat entertainment systems on their aircraft. Also, if anyone has the same information regarding KLM flights from Amsterdam to Bangkok, that would be very much appreciated. Dubsox. 
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#2
10-04-2008, 00:27
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I have used Etihad on a number of occasions but only from Heathrow and Gatwick. They are a fine airline with very competitive prices.
The B777's all have seatback screens, and I think you will find its the A330 from Dublin to AUH. They too have seatback screens. If you put "Etihad" into the search function, there are quite a lot of threads with info about them.
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#3
10-04-2008, 00:40
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Cheers mate, should have done that first...exactly what I was looking for.
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#4
10-04-2008, 00:44
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I flew with Etihad Dub - BKK last August. Excellent airline, great entertainment system and good food and drink! Couldn't praise them enough!
In September I'm flying with China Airlines via Amsterdam. They have some good deals at the moment. Joe
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#5
10-04-2008, 03:24
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Thanks for that Joe, I had looked into the China Airlines option but the 2 am departure on the return leg put me off a bit.
I haven't booked anything yet...just checking out a few possibilities and will make a decision over the next week. Might see you in September if you're around Patong.
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#6
10-04-2008, 04:13
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What i liked about the Etihad flight i went on in 2006 is that is was half full, so most pasengers got a couple of seats to themselves.....
went with Qantas last time round, thought they were good value aswell....although heard they have had a couple of problems with their planes lately....
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#7
10-04-2008, 05:09
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Hi Dubsox,
Yeah, we might just meet! I'll be there 6th - 21st or so. I agree that the 2.00am flight is a bummer - I did it in 2003! But I DO like the early arrival at 6.40am! Plenty of time for arranging a connecting flight to Phuket! Last year the Etihad flight was delayed in Dubai by over 2 hours, so it was after 10.00pm when I got out of Suvarnabhumi! Just as well I'd planned to stay in BKK for my first night! And what a night that was too....  Though I have to say, Etihad was the best airline I've ever flown with in 5 trips to LOS. This year though, CA suit me better, and I got a good deal too. Joe
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#8
10-04-2008, 13:41
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Sorry, I cannot brief you on Etihad. As for flights ex Amsterdam, you have daily options with KLM (departure 20.30) and China Airlines (departure 14.45). China Airlines is very much better than KLM, which in my opinion missed the boat completely on long haul flights. Lousy food, small seat pitch and no personal entertainment system. China Airlines is much better on all aspects. They are now upgrading their planes as well. Of my last 3 flights to BKK, I had 2x a plane with personal screen. Alternatively, their are flights with EVA Air (departure 12.35) and they go 4x per week and get good critics as well. Hope this helps.
__________________
 Operation SnowGirl will continue 
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#9
10-04-2008, 13:54
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Etihad actually beats my beloved favorite airline Emirates. They have the latest aircrafts with great new wide-screens and more leg space.
Still, the airhostesses from Emirates are second to only one (Singapore Airlines) 
__________________
 ...life's good 
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#10
10-04-2008, 15:49
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I don't mind KLM. I prefer a European routing and they have some of the best prices and departure times. I much prefer KLM to Air France, CDG in Paris is an awful airport to try and get around.
The last couple of KLM flights I have been on, the aircraft has been pretty old and weary; not the option if the IFE is a big deal to you.
__________________
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#11
10-04-2008, 17:07
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Guys, I have to say that the speed and quality of the responses has impressed me greatly...very much appreciated ! Sounds like both Etihad and China Airlines are contenders...I was put off a little by CA's poor safety record in the past but they appear to have their act together now.
dan Boy, I also flew with Qantas last time and I agree, they were very good...I did hear about a problem recently on a flight into Bangkok but that wouldn't really stop me flying with them....unfortunately BA/Qantas are now €1100 on my dates so I might just give them a skip this time. Joe, if I do go with the Etihad option, I will probably take the 10.15 am flight out of Dublin....gets into Bkk at 7.35 am and back in Dublin on the return leg at 7.45 am. By the way, I'm also arriving in LOS on the 6th and plan to return to Dublin on the 26th...not sure of my dates in Phuket as I plan to spend a few night in Patts either at the start or end of my trip.....give me a shout closer to the time if you want to arrange to meet up.
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#12
10-04-2008, 17:29
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I have used Thai airways from LHR to BKK last few times and their IFE is very poor. No personal screens. So I have invested in a decent portable DVD player (around £200) and that allows me to pick exactly the films I want (I have to buy the DVD's of course !), with a very good picture & sound. If you do a lot of flying it's worth thinking about. I can pick Thai as the cheapest direct flights to BKK and still enjoy a decent movie or 2 on the flight.
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#13
10-04-2008, 17:33
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No problem, Dubsox, will do. I might be spending my first few nights in Pattaya, as I've never been there! If you go with Etihad, I assure you, you will be impressed. The entertainment system had remote control, you could create your own playlists etc.. The food was good to, for airline fare! Real knives and forks too, for a change! Also, you could activate cameras both at the nose and under the plane and look at them on the screen! Ha ha! Anything to amuse me on a long flight! Here are some pics I took! Now the world knows I like Dolly Parton ha ha!  Joe
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#14
10-04-2008, 19:04
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Cheers Joe, looks good. As for Dolly, I have to admit I do have '9 to 5' on my mp3 player but that's about as far as it goes although, no matter which airline I choose, I'll probably be able to spot her "islands in the stream" from 35,000 feet...very impressive...you don't see too much of that in LOS, at least not on Thai women (apart from the ladyboys)...not a complaint, just an observation !
I've never been to Pattaya before either but I'm planning to spend quite a bit of time in SE Asia next year so I thought I should check it out beforehand to see if it's as full-on as I've heard...a few days should be enough to tell me if I could spend a longer period of time there...I'm used to the laid-back atmosphere and the beaches in Phuket...and everything else on offer ! xxmikexx, I hadn't thought about the portable player option before but it's not a bad idea...I've flown with Thai in LOS and always found the quality of service (not including IFE) to be excellent. Bren.
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#15
10-04-2008, 19:17
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Investment in an iPod Touch and a noise reduction head-set would be better IMO. It's just too good of a combination to beat;-)
__________________
...life's good
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#16
10-04-2008, 19:25
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I have to agree about the noise-cancelling headphones. I have a pair of Sennheiser phones, and they were a Godsend on every flight! Especially great if you're watching movies. They have an adaptor so you also can plug them into the IFE system. They really make for a more relaxed trip! Worth every penny IMO! Joe
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#17
10-04-2008, 23:19
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Hi go to phuket first then head off to Pattaya second. Pattaya is more hardcore where as Phuket is more relaxed.
__________________
cumming to you soon Lcfc rules http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sinkbu...andEventPhotos
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#18
11-04-2008, 00:17
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Looking at the BM's TR pictures trashed with certain black shot's, looks hardcore enough to me 5555
__________________
...life's good
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#19
11-04-2008, 12:02
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xxmikexx, I hadn't thought about the portable player option before but it's not a bad idea...I've flown with Thai in LOS and always found the quality of service (not including IFE) to be excellent. Bren.[/quote] Dubsox If you go for a portable DVD player make sure you get one with at least 3-4 hrs playing time. I bought a Philips with a 10" screen and it's excellent (not the cheapest though). I do a fair amount of flying so I am getting good use from it. I also endorse the suggestion for Noise Cancelling earphones. I bought a Sennheiser pair for around £85 and they are good, really do improve the volume and quality of sound. The Thai flights from LHR to BKK are direct and apart from the IFE have pretty good service. The last few years I have found Thai Air quite a lot cheaper than BA or Qantas for the direct flights to BKK. Also booking with Thai gets a half price BKK-HKT-BKK fare. Good luck with your trip.
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#20
11-04-2008, 19:03
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Guys, can you be more specific about the type of headphones you're talking about...I have a pair of in-ear Senheisser headphones that cost about €55 but I assume the phones you're talking about would be in the €100 to €150 price range...are these in-ear phones or the larger headband earphones that fit over the ear ? and Joe, the phones you have come with a two pin adapter to allow you use them with the IFE system ? Bren.
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#21
11-04-2008, 19:12
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Cheers TL, I'm actually thinking now that I might do both...I like to go nuts at the start of my trip then wind down before finishing with a flourish...sounds a bit like the Grand National ! Will probably spend the first couple of night in Pattaya before setting my sights on Phuket....depending on how things are going down there I can always head back to Patts for the last few nights. Bren.
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#22
11-04-2008, 19:17
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Hi Dubsox
I would go with Etihad if I was you. Aircraft very modern, 10.4 inch personal screes, 32" pitch, great service, short waiting times in between flights. China airlines has none of these with the exception maybe of good service. China are good in Business class. I am going to BKK again soon with Etihad. I will report on flights when I get back.
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#23
11-04-2008, 19:36
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Hi Shanghai, Thanks for the advice...very re-assuring since I finally got off the fence and booked today with Etihad. All of the reports seem to be good and I was even more impressed when I discovered I could select my own seat...I've taken an aisle seat on the wingside two seater on the A332 and an aisle seat on the centre three seater on the 777...I like to have access to the toilets, galley etc. and to be able to get up and walk about...with those seats there will be at most one person who might need to get by me during the flight....happy days ! Bren.
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#24
11-04-2008, 21:18
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