Phuket Thailand

sandymellis · #1 17-10-2005, 21:37

Anyone flown to Bangkok from Gatwick via Abu Dhabi. I've booked flights wirth them for April 'cause they were cheapest, but there appear to be mixed reviews regarding their service etc. I'm kinda hoping they get their act together before I fly out in April.

landofsmiles · #2 17-10-2005, 21:52

I travelled out with Etihad in June. Absolutely fine both ways.

Plenty more on Etihad here:- http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/etihad.htm

Came out again with Qatar last month...they are SUPERB. Excellent inflight entertainment system in the seatbacks really makes the time go quick.

StiofanDerry · #3 17-10-2005, 22:07

Flew Etihad return in July, they were fine for the price. First plane London to Abu Dhabi was a lot more modern than the Abu Dhabi-Bangkok plane, and I didn't like Abu Dhabi airport the staff all seemed rude and disinterested, but the airline itself is fine.

alibaba · #4 17-10-2005, 22:24

I flew with them in August & found them fine.
Only problem for me was the connection time in A.Dhabi on the return.

sandymellis · #5 17-10-2005, 22:40

What was the problem with the connection Alibaba?

dawsey · #6 18-10-2005, 01:24

I used them in Mar/April and they were excellent

The stopover on the way out in Abu Dhabi is just right ,1 hour, time to get very cheap duty frees and have a smoke and stretch the legs. Its about 6.5 hrs to AUH then another 6hrs to BKK.
I can't comment on the stopover time on the return trip as I exited the airport and went into the city for a few days.

What made me prefer them over Qatar,which is another very good airline,was the food,the inflight service and above all the speedy check in at both LGW and BKK

IMHO, Abu Dhabi airport although smallish has one of the best duty free prices in the world. As for staff being rude, I have been there on more than 20 occasions and never found any rudeness.

I'm using Etihad again at Xmas

dawsey · #7 18-10-2005, 01:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandymellis

What was the problem with the connection Alibaba?

If you log onto their website at www.etihadairways.com there is a timetable which will give you the time spent at AUH waiting for your connection to LGW

dawsey · #8 18-10-2005, 01:29

[quote=landofsmiles]I travelled out with Etihad in June. Absolutely fine both ways. Plenty more on Etihad here:- http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/etihad.htm
QUOTE]

IMO Etihad will be challenging Singapore for best airline very soon

t0rn · #9 18-10-2005, 02:45

Etihad are ok, better than most european (and therefore u.s. airlines).
AUH is a bit of a hole if you have a long time to wait.
As previously mentioned Qatar Airways are fantastic (and not just because I found my first and only willing stewardess from the flight

).

dawsey · #10 18-10-2005, 02:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by t0rn

As previously mentioned Qatar Airways are fantastic (and not just because I found my first and only willing stewardess from the flight

).

Do you want to share this story with us t0rn

t0rn · #11 18-10-2005, 03:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

Do you want to share this story with us t0rn

Well not the entire story ....

There were only 4 passengers (and 6 stewardesses) - on a 110 seater 'plane so plenty of chat up time. Added to which they were on a 5 day layover ..... so I have to admit that she wasn't the most difficult girl to convince ....

Sirgezza · #12 18-10-2005, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

Do you want to share this story with us t0rn

And her telephone number - I'm flying Qatar at new year

K2 · #13 18-10-2005, 16:16

Flew with them in August as LGW suits better than LHR - found the service fine - meals ok (TG are better), but fair for the price and certainly were very generous on the drinks. International staff service the flight - so pretty much any language covered - vey friendly. May be worth asking sit nearer the back on BKK-AUH leg as were lots of bratty kids.

Didnt rate AUH airport much - electronics duty free didnt have much by way of latest gizmo's and whole place like a giant doughnut with 2nd rate air-com they really need a new terminal like Dubai, but stop-over not very long 2-3 hours.

In absence of convienient if dicey Phuket Air direct flight to LGW - would use Etihad again.

Paddy · #14 18-10-2005, 18:05

They have a separate class (I think it's called Coral Plus) which is a bit more expensive than the regular Economy but a lot less than Business. If you've got a bit of spare cash, it's well worth it. Better food and drink, better seat and priority check-in and baggage. It's available on the BKK-AUH leg, not sure about the AUH-LGW.

tomyam · #15 18-10-2005, 18:09

just got back last wednesday , used ethihad lgw-bkk , very impressed with them , will use them again , all legs of the flight were empty , so had the 4 seats in the middle to myself , great after coming straight off a night shift , the food was brilliant , and the planes were spotless with video on demand in the back of the seats..

t0rn · #16 19-10-2005, 03:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by gez

And her telephone number - I'm flying Qatar at new year

yeah, like that's going to happen

Her details are safely stored for next time we meet ....

Have had a few emails back and forth and I have to say she's very cool about everything so you never know ..... you may get lucky