Etihad or Emirates

woodzie

Hi,

I'm going to Oz in April for a month and I'm wondering which is he better Airline. Both tickets cost around €880 return. I have flown to oz before with singapore airlines but they are more expensive than either emirates or etihad and theres only one stop with emirates or etihad. Which would you recommend I fly with?

Thanks

Chet Zar

woodzie wrote: »

Hi,

I'm going to Oz in April for a month and I'm wondering which is he better Airline. Both tickets cost around €880 return. I have flown to oz before with singapore airlines but they are more expensive than either emirates or etihad and theres only one stop with emirates or etihad. Which would you recommend I fly with?

Thanks

Are Emirates flying from Dublin already yeah? Well I've only ever flown to Oz once, and that was with Etihad. Very good service, although I've heard from a mate in the know that standards have slipped lately. But when I flew in 2010 the service was excellent - plenty of food and drink and they give you complementary towels, toothpaste/toothbrush, etc. Also plenty of water during the flight. As I said though this seems to have been pared back lately. Would expect it to perhaps reappear with the competition Emirates will provide though!

So in short, not sure - maybe someone can comment on Emirates. Prob much of a muchness.

woodzie

No emirates starting flights from Dublin in early January but you can book flights now if you want.

I heard etihad was excellent but I would like to try the emirates a380 from Dubai to Sydney.

sudzs

My only experience of flying to Australia was with Emerates so can't compare them to others, but have to say my experience was good. Flew from Manchester btw.

Great selection of entertainment... loads of films and games. Big comfy seats on the airbus. Changed to a smaller plane at Dubai with slightly smaller seats though. You can get a drink any time you want it. And the 30kg baggage allowance is good too! Food not so good but is it ever?!

hussey

I have flown with Eithad a few times and they are grand, the last time I had 3 seats to myself so that was sweet (and pretty lucky)

I was looking at both airlines for flying (return) home next year, although price were give or take $100, comfort I would give it to Emirates (I have flown with them 3 times)
but the big factor for me was the stop over
The dates I was looking at had a 5 hr stop over (Emirates) Vs 2 (Eithad) which would be a massive difference to me

KingdomYid

Just flew home with Etihad last Wednesday. It was my third time flying with them and I have no complaints at all. As others have said good service and plenty of good entertainment too. The fact they flew to Dublin made the difference for me though, so when emirates start the Dublin service I would be interested in giving them a go just to compare. Also on the leg from Abu Dhabi to Dublin last week i had four seats to myself, man I love quiet flights .

irishh_bob

woodzie wrote: »

Hi,

I'm going to Oz in April for a month and I'm wondering which is he better Airline. Both tickets cost around €880 return. I have flown to oz before with singapore airlines but they are more expensive than either emirates or etihad and theres only one stop with emirates or etihad. Which would you recommend I fly with?

Thanks

i myself am going to NZ for three weeks early in the new year , ive been researching the various airlines at skytrax.com , ethihad gets excellent reviews all around and apart from that , they are much cheaper with flights to australia than all the major airlines , however , here is my issue with ethihad , personally i would like to break up the epic trip to oz - nz by making a stopover for a day at the half way point , ethihad stop in abu dhabi which is only seven hours from dublin , you then take a gigantic fourteen hour flight to sydney so even you were to spend a day in abu dhabi , you would only be taking a break a third of the way there , for those who feel they they dont need to break up the journey however , id see no reason whatsover not to go with ethihad , thier a very new airline are are supposed to be top of the league when it comes to thier inflight entertainment

Spunk84

The most important thing if your flying dec or jan is are you going to get out of Dublin with the snow ? I'm trying to go the first week of Jan and was considering LHR to Brisbane but Eithad seems the best chance as I don't was to fly in to the UK and get stranded there. At least if your going out of Dublin and theirs delays u still have the option of going home and waiting to be called to come back for your flight instead sleeping in a UK airport.

Chet Zar

Spunk84 wrote: »

The most important thing if your flying dec or jan is are you going to get out of Dublin with the snow ? I'm trying to go the first week of Jan and was considering LHR to Brisbane but Eithad seems the best chance as I don't was to fly in to the UK and get stranded there. At least if your going out of Dublin and theirs delays u still have the option of going home and waiting to be called to come back for your flight instead sleeping in a UK airport.

Hmm don't know if I'd base your plans on that...you don't know for sure that the snow is going to be that bad again this year...then again you could be right!

Theimprover

I have been told that emirates are the best out there, i was looking at Dub>Dubai>Brisbane in Feb €907 return

Stinicker

Etihad are good enough, I have never flown Emirates myself but might fly them next year although most likely from Heathrow as living in Kerry it is quicker to fly to Heathrow and connect there than taking the snail train to Dublin. Equipment is a big factor for me, both Etihad and Emirates will be operating A330's to Dublin and they are not the best in terms of space, these are the same planes Aer Lingus use Transatlantic; another reason to travel to Heathrow and get on a A380 or A340 instead.

Etihads A340 from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi is good and thanks to its size you often get spare seats to yourself, the Etihad 777 onwards from Abu-Dhabi has horrible brown seats and the AVOD kept crashing for me. You really can't beat the A380 for passenger comfort and I flew Qantas' A380 for 15 hours non-stop from Sydney to LA and took no notice of it, always try get on the bigger planes would be my recommendation, except for BA's 747, absolute sardines.

ellaq

Dublin is no use to us either so we are flying into Birmingham with Emirates and making a connecting flight there. We are really trying to avoid LHR as we have to travel to other parts of the Europe and hate having to cross london to make different flights from different airports with 3 kids in tow.

Etihad don't fly from Perth yet.

Stinicker

ellaq wrote: »

Dublin is no use to us either so we are flying into Birmingham with Emirates and making a connecting flight there. We are really trying to avoid LHR as we have to travel to other parts of the Europe and hate having to cross london to make different flights from different airports with 3 kids in tow.

Etihad don't fly from Perth yet.

Eithad and Virgin Australia have launched a codeshare and you can book Perth to Dublin via Melbourne and Abu Dhabi on the virgin website, not the cheapest or the most direct way of travelling between Perth and Dublin but possible none the less, Etihad aren't pushing it on their own website as the codeshare is mainly benefiting Virgin Australia giving them access to Etihad's destinations in Europe (whilst filling a few extra seats for Etihad).

Next year Virgin themselves will fly direct from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, may be worth keeping an eye on for promo fares especially with Emirates launching and they will thrash Etihad on fares from Dublin so expect a blood bath on long haul fares on the Kangaroo route from Dublin next year.

ellaq

For me that would be like flying backwards to fly forwards. Direct flight from Perth to Dubai take under 11 hours. Perth to Melbourne 3.5 hours, Melbourne to Dubai over 14 hours. I once flew Perth via of Melbourne to LHR out of necessity and it was extra hell.

Capri

I'd give Emirates a go. Been flying with Etihad (8 flts /yr) since they started and their service is going down down big time (infrequent flyers may think it's the bee's knees but regular flyers aren't pleased with them ).Abu Dhabi airport is a pig pen (yes- the 'new' part of it ! ).

IF you get the chance of a stopover in Dubai take a Desert drive (3pm to 7pm ) that includes Flying over dunes in Land Cruisers / Desert buffet / Camel riding etc.

irishh_bob

Capri wrote: »

I'd give Emirates a go. Been flying with Etihad (8 flts /yr) since they started and their service is going down down big time (infrequent flyers may think it's the bee's knees but regular flyers aren't pleased with them ).Abu Dhabi airport is a pig pen (yes- the 'new' part of it ! ).

IF you get the chance of a stopover in Dubai take a Desert drive (3pm to 7pm ) that includes Flying over dunes in Land Cruisers / Desert buffet / Camel riding etc.

skytrax gives etihad much better reviews than emirates but each to thier own , was checkng out prices yesterday and emirates are a couple of hundred cheaper than etihad out of dublin

kdevitt

Normally go business class with Etihad and always found them great - but did cattle class recently and they were crap. We were gasping for water for most of the journey - instead of handing out bottled water they were passing through the cabin once every two hours or so and pouring small cups of water from a jug. Food was pretty poor - my wife asked for soup and they gave her a cup-a-soup and a mug of boiling water.

We also pre-ordered a baby meal for our 6 month old - they brought out a ham and cheese sandwich and were incredulous that we wouldn't try to feed it to him.

Then had to make a complaint due to the staff at the transfer desk in Abu Dhabi who were totally out of line when being requested to process an upgrade using my airmiles.

Would be tempted to go with Emirates if I had to go economy again - they might be trying a bit harder (that said they were pretty crappy when I used them to go the Mauritius 2.5 years ago).

Was actually far more impressed with VA, who did the first leg to Abu Dhabi - staff were great. Used them on a flight to LA recently too and they were excellent - far superior to Singapore Airlines, who don't seem to get the concept of 'I'm sleeping - I don't need to be woken for a face towel'.

I guess in reality a lot of it comes down to pot luck - you can end up with some really great cabin crew, or some awful cabin crew.

TonyB466

Having flown with Etihad in 2009 and Emirates in 2010 to China, I can say Emirates have a far better product.

When transferring in Dubai Do not forget to book lounge access in T3 (emirates only terminal) Can be booked from tripextras.com around 25e and access even in Economy class, I cannot fault the lounge! Dubai airport is huge, but very easy, shopping is a must!

Seats on Etihad & Emirates are very similar however Emirates ICE entertainment seems to be much better!

castie

kdevitt wrote: »

...far superior to Singapore Airlines, who don't seem to get the concept of 'I'm sleeping - I don't need to be woken for a face towel'.

As someone whos flown over 100k miles with SIA I can safely say this has never happened to me. Majority of flights would of been greater than 8 hours and over night for meetings next day.

All economy too!

kdevitt

castie wrote: »

As someone whos flown over 100k miles with SIA I can safely say this has never happened to me. Majority of flights would of been greater than 8 hours and over night for meetings next day.

All economy too!

Happened to me in business class on 3 out of the 4 legs I did between Sydney - SG - HK. Won't be using them again.

dizzymom

we flew to brisbane with etihad, the staff were amazing with our kids, aged then 4 years and 9 months, they entertained my lil girl on an extremely long flight, entertainment was great, food was good (when is food on plans fabulous anyway??) plane was spotless, flight was on time, no complaints, have also done shorter flights with emirates but this long haul was with etihad - great experience

digiman

Do any of these planes have somewhere to charge your Irish laptop while flying in economy class? Also do either provide Internet while flying?

Stinicker

digiman wrote: »

Do any of these planes have somewhere to charge your Irish laptop while flying in economy class? Also do either provide Internet while flying?

Etihad had power in economy class when I flew them last Feb. http://www.seatguru.com/ will tell you about stuff like this and the layout of the cabin etc.

In Exile

Just wondering has anyone done the Emirates return to Dublin?

Looking to book flights home for a holiday next year in cattle class and can get Etihad and Emirates for the same prices.

Anyone traveled both?

Armin_Tamzarian

If they're the same price, definitely go with Emirates.

Skuxx

Emirates 777 have a 10 accross seat config in economy, against 9 for the majority of other airlines! This makes the cabin very cramped! Just something to watch for if that would bother you!

Armin_Tamzarian

alan1990 wrote: »

Emirates 777 have a 10 accross seat config in economy, against 9 for the majority of other airlines! This makes the cabin very cramped! Just something to watch for if that would bother you!

I think they also operate an A380 on that route, but you make a fair point, flying on a 777 can be pretty nasty.

cormaclynch

Just be careful with Emirates if you are looking for a 1 stop flight. Some of their flights claim to fly straight to Dubai but they stop in Singapore for a couple of hours. Its hard to see on the website when you are booking so just be careful.

Traq

cormaclynch wrote: »

Just be careful with Emirates if you are looking for a 1 stop flight. Some of their flights claim to fly straight to Dubai but they stop in Singapore for a couple of hours. Its hard to see on the website when you are booking so just be careful.

Had that happen to me before and was very confused in my bleary eyed state.

Given the choice between the two I'd pick Etihad but that's just personal preference.

Rascasse

Another vote for Etihad from me too. The big plus for me is they have power ports at every seat. I can't really sleep on planes so I put a load of films/magazines/podcasts etc on the tablet and with the plug I don't have to worry about the battery running out.

Emirates only have power ports on the A380. None on the 777.

Amazon32

Don't know why theres a thread on this, just go with whoever are cheaper. I flew with Etihad and no problems, found it very pleasant.

Armin_Tamzarian

Amazon32 wrote: »

Don't know why theres a thread on this, just go with whoever are cheaper. I flew with Etihad and no problems, found it very pleasant.

Eh, it says in the first posts that both tickets are more or less the same price.
That's the point.

Batgurl

Emirates = 30kg checked baggage
Etihad = 23kg checked baggage

Emirates = generally stopover is 2-3 hours
Etihad = generally stopover is 3-4 hours

Emirates = A380 planes
Etihad = A340 or A330 planes

No brainer as far as I'm concerned

irishmover

If you get the A380 that is. Also there are times having longer periods between flights as a good thing. Rushing to get to the next plane isn't fun.

I'm yet to fly with Emirates so won't pass judgement. Cousin had a miserable time with them though. Enjoyed the Etihad flight over.

Might try emirates when I go home in July. Already booked flights for Christmas with other airlines.

Batgurl

Also, here is a discount code which will give you 10% off Emirates if your flying from Sydney "AUSSO01".

Finally, you can now claim Qantas FF points for Emirates flights booked from next March onwards.

Unfortunately, I'm booked to fly Etihad for my next trip home

In Exile

Batgurl wrote: »

Also, here is a discount code which will give you 10% off Emirates if your flying from Sydney "AUSSO01".

Finally, you can now claim Qantas FF points for Emirates flights booked from next March onwards.

Unfortunately, I'm booked to fly Etihad for my next trip home

Cheers Batgurl,

I have a code to get the 10% off as well through the VRC which brings it down to the same price as Etihad.

Thanks for all the replies. Had my mind all set on Etihad but the FF points for Qantas on Emirates has me all confused again!

Stinicker

Batgurl wrote: »

Emirates = 30kg checked baggage
Etihad = 23kg checked baggage

Emirates = generally stopover is 2-3 hours
Etihad = generally stopover is 3-4 hours

Emirates = A380 planes
Etihad = A340 or A330 planes

No brainer as far as I'm concerned

Emirates win on the A380 and baggage also however on the Dublin route it will be a sardines can 10 a-breast seating Boeing 777 and maybe a A380 onwards from Dubai, if you are going to spend another 14hrs going to Australia then they win due to higher baggage limit and having 14hrs on the A380.

However if you are going to Asia you maybe be on 777 for the entire route which is hellish.

Basically I'd choose Etihad over Emirates due to the Boeing 777 space issue and the real determining factor would be price, obviously if Emirates were cheaper I'd probably risk the Deep Vein Thrombosis on a Boeing 777. Also Dubai Airport is a chaotic mess overloaded with passengers and is in my opinion worse than Heathrow, Etihad's Abu Dhabi Airport by comparison is a breeze to go through. Both airlines have gotten much more expensive over the last year and for routings to South East Asia both airlines are far down the rank in terms of prices.

Armin_Tamzarian

Emirates are the best airline I've flown with but as the other pointed out, the 777 is pretty bad.
Usually when I book with Emirates you can see what type of plane you will be flying on.
If I had time flexibility I would definitely schedule it so I flew on the A380.

Amazon32

Stop overs times are not constant, they alter depending on the flights. Can't really compare the stop over times imo. I chose an Ethiad flight with a 2 hour wait rather than another that had a 10 hour stop. Obviously the less stop over the more expensive the flight will be.

Kiith

I'll be booking my flights in the next few days, and am trying to decide who to go with as well. Flying into Brisbane or Sydney (don't really mind which).

Emirates (to Sydney) - Dublin to Dubai, then a 9 hour stop over, and then onto Sydney - €742 (777, then A380)
Etihad (to Brisbane) - Dublin to Abu Dhabi, then a 3 hour stop over, and then onto Brisbane - €672 (A330)

Think i'll go with the Etihad one to be honest. 9 hours is quite a long layover.

Kiith

Sorry to bump this, just a quick question.

It looks like skyscanner has found me a much better flight route, via Heathrow with BA. Get into Heathrow at 19:50, and then flying straight to Sydney at 21:30. Total cost is €670. Seems very cheap, and it's even cheaper then on the BA site, which is surprising. Plus, it's direct from Heathrow to Sydney according to the site.

It's with BudgetAirIE...anyone ever used them? Also, is that enough time (1hr 40mins) in Heathrow for the connecting flights?

jackbhoy

Kiith wrote: »

Sorry to bump this, just a quick question.

It looks like skyscanner has found me a much better flight route, via Heathrow with BA. Get into Heathrow at 19:50, and then flying straight to Sydney at 21:30. Total cost is €670. Seems very cheap, and it's even cheaper then on the BA site, which is surprising. Plus, it's direct from Heathrow to Sydney according to the site.

It's with BudgetAirIE...anyone ever used them? Also, is that enough time (1hr 40mins) in Heathrow for the connecting flights?

Never heard of that company, worth checking a few sites like Zuji if you are unsure. Also, make sure you click through to booking process from skyscanner as prices can be bit out of date sometimes.

I hate Heathrow and have had several delays going through it so 1hr 40m is very doable but would be tight if any delay at all on inbound flight.

The flight from London won't be direct to Sydney, that distance is way beyond any aircraft's range. If it's BA I'd expect you'll have stopover in Hong Kong or maybe Singapore but have never flown that route with them so not sure of their stopovers.

Kiith

jackbhoy wrote: »

The flight from London won't be direct to Sydney, that distance is way beyond any aircraft's range. If it's BA I'd expect you'll have stopover in Hong Kong or maybe Singapore but have never flown that route with them so not sure of their stopovers.

That's what i had thought, but it shows up as only 1 stop (in Heathrow), where as any other selection shows 2 stops (AD, Dubai etc...). Also, when i check the BA site for flights to Sydney, it says it's only 1 stop (it's a 747 if that makes any difference), and takes 22 hours, so i was a little confused.

sponge_bob

Kiith wrote: »

That's what i had thought, but it shows up as only 1 stop (in Heathrow), where as any other selection shows 2 stops (AD, Dubai etc...). Also, when i check the BA site for flights to Sydney, it says it's only 1 stop (it's a 747 if that makes any difference), and takes 22 hours, so i was a little confused.

there will definetly a feuling stop somewhere probably singapore.

jackbhoy

That is strange. I have heard of people flying with just a refuel stop and then boarding same plane for second leg, maybe it's something like that. I haven't seen it before tbh.

Kiith

sponge_bob wrote: »

there will definetly a feuling stop somewhere probably singapore.

Yeah, i was thinking something like that. In refueling stops, do we get to stay on the plane?

kdevitt

I did BA to Sydney a few years back - it stops off in Singapore. You need to get off and have your hand luggage re-checked. Its not a bad flight, except for stopping in Heathrow - which I'd personally avoid like the plague.

Theres really no need to do it unless you fancy a few days in SG - Emirates and Etihad are both offering easier flights.

Baf50361

I was on the BA Hrow to Sydney last week - does sto nin Singapore for 2 hours, all off & reboard and check hand luggage - no issue

Heathrow security is a dose at 5 am though on connecting with flight to Ire. Not doing again!

Stinicker

Etihad have upped the ante alot and are now well ahead of Emirates on the Dublin route.

Etihad have recently increased their economy baggage allowance from 20kgs to 30kgs. This makes all the difference especially on long haul flights. 20kgs is far too little imo for the long haul.

http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/Etihad/global/en/aboutetihad/mediacenter/newslisting/newsdetails/Pages/etihad-airways-increases-coral-economy-baggage-allowance-Nov12.aspx?fromNewsListing=false

Etihad are also sending their Boeing 777-300ER into Dublin which is a far bigger plane but more importantly it has 9 a-breast seating (3-3-3) config. This makes a big difference compared to the 10 a-breast seating (3-4-3) config used by Emirates and I have flown on Etihad before and their 777 service is grand the same cannot be said for Emirates where it is too packed and you have very little room.

http://www.ittn.ie/bulletins/etihad-airways-to-increase-capacity-from-dublin/

So for Etihad you have the same baggage allowance now, more spacious planes on the Dublin route and a far less chaotic airport in Abu Dhabi compared to the overcrowded mess that is Dubai airport.

Etihad don't have the A380 but considering Etihad's recent improvement it is not worth flying Emirates for the A380 alone unless you get a really cheap airfare and Etihad have been beating Emirates hands down recently on pricing too.

Kiith

I booked through a booking site, and got an Etihad flight to Brisbane for €638. It's Dub --> Abu Dhabi --> Sing --> Brisbane, but it's cheap so i didn't mind. Looking forward to not flying with Ryanair :P

Stinicker

Kiith wrote: »

I booked through a booking site, and got an Etihad flight to Brisbane for €638. It's Dub --> Abu Dhabi --> Sing --> Brisbane, but it's cheap so i didn't mind. Looking forward to not flying with Ryanair :P

One way or return?