Ethiad staff ticket - air miles & restrictions

secondrowgal

Hi all

I was lucky enough to get an Etihad business class ticket from a friend working in Etihad for a great price. We are flying to Australia, business calss - very excited!!!

We got an e-mail with the following instructions:

For travel in business (Pearl) zone the minimum standard of dress is:
• Males: Long sleeved jacket, collared shirt and smart trousers. A tie is not necessary.
• Females: Long sleeved jacket, blouse/smart top with sleeves, skirt or smart trousers or a dress

We are happy to comply with the above, but just checking if anyone knows how strict they are? Mainly on the long-sleeves bit as I find it really hot on a plane. Just don't want to be told to change or anything like that If anyone has experience of travelling on Etihad staff tickets and has any tips, they'd be most welcome.

Also, does anyone know if we can get Air Miles from these flights or are they exempt? I can't find anything on line about that.

Thanks in advance.

veetwin

The long sleeved jacket thing is only for getting on the plane. A cabin attendant will take your jacket once you get on board. As you are on what looks like a staff concession ticket it would be a good idea to dress respectably - the staff member who got you the ticket would appreciate it.

The air miles would depend on the class of ticket but if it is a staff discounted ticket it's probably exempt.

You're in for a treat either way. It's a lovely way to get to Australia.

Poly

bring a jumper or a fleece, it can get cold on those flights

ProudDUB

I would err on the side of caution. If you are required to wear a proper shirt with a collar, then that is what you wear. The cabin staff will know who is who and who is traveling on a staff ticket. They will also know what the dress rules are for staff travel. If they report you & your friend for flouting them, her card may be marked, so to speak. That may impact her ability to get business flights at staff rates in the future. That is not fair on her. They may not say anything to either of you on the day. You won't get a chance to explain that you get hot on flights or whatever. I know it sounds rather over the top, but the airlines do take this stuff seriously.

killbillvol2

ProudDUB wrote: »

I would err on the side of caution. If you are required to wear a proper shirt with a collar, than that is what you wear. The cabin staff will know who is who and who is traveling on a staff ticket. They will also know what the dress rules are for staff travel. If they report you & your friend for flouting them, her card may be marked, so to speak. That may impact her ability to get business flights at staff rates in the future. That is not fair on her. They may not say anything to either of you on the day. You won't get a chance to explain that you get hot on flights or whatever. I know it sounds rather over the top, but the airlines do take this stuff seriously.

All of the above. Etihad take it very seriously.

You won't get air miles - if there were any miles going with the ticket (and I doubt it) the staff member who booked it would get them.

mooseknunkle

Out of my last 20 flights with Etihad 16 have been in business and i never once got an email like that, i always wear just jeans and a t-shirt and a jacket which i take off once on board and most people i've seen are casually dressed,but as others have said its to do with it being a staff ticket and best to err on the side of caution.

ProudDUB

mooseknunkle wrote: »

Out of my last 20 flights with Etihad 16 have been in business and i never once got an email like that, i always wear just jeans and a t-shirt and a jacket which i take off once on board and most people i've seen are casually dressed,but as others have said its to do with it being a staff ticket and best to err on the side of caution.

You won't get an email like that, if you are a regular, full fare paying passenger. The business class clothes rules only apply to staff travel.

My dad is ex Aer Lingus/BA. He scored a fair few first class freebies in his time. My poor mother used to have to turn up for the flights, in a Jackie Kennedy style hat and white gloves. At least we have moved on a bit from that.

secondrowgal

Thanks folks, appreciate the feedback.

I, too, fly business with work, but of course on a full price ticket, so there are no restrictions. This is a new one for me so was just checking how strict, etc., and definitely don't want to get the staff member in any bother.

We are dressing business-like anyway, so it's good to know in advance.

Bit annoyed about the air miles though. I wouldn't expect to get the business level air miles but I would expect to get at least the economy equivalent. After all, our tickets cost more than the economy price, but obviously less than full business.

mooseknunkle

secondrowgal wrote: »

Thanks folks, appreciate the feedback.

I, too, fly business with work, but of course on a full price ticket, so there are no restrictions. This is a new one for me so was just checking how strict, etc., and definitely don't want to get the staff member in any bother.

We are dressing business-like anyway, so it's good to know in advance.

Bit annoyed about the air miles though. I wouldn't expect to get the business level air miles but I would expect to get at least the economy equivalent. After all, our tickets cost more than the economy price, but obviously less than full business.

Yeah i don't see why you wouldn't get the miles because you are still paying for the flight even though its at a discounted rate,could you ask your friend about it?

Yamanoto

mooseknunkle wrote: »

Yeah i don't see why you wouldn't get the miles because you are still paying for the flight even though its at a discounted rate...

It's a heavily discounted staff perk unavailable to the general public & I'd imagine most if not all airlines would class it a non-revenue ticket - earning zilch accordingly.

There are myriad fare classes across many carriers that earn little or nothing in the way of mileage, despite the fact the ticket may have set you back many hundreds of quid.

Ed_Stephens

Given that it would cost you 3 grand each to buy I'd be inclined to wear whatever they tell you to. Etihad business is great!

hfallada

Poly wrote: »

bring a jumper or a fleece, it can get cold on those flights

I flow with Emirates from Beijing to Dubai and they had the AC on full blast. They sometimes have issues with people fainting. So they keep the plane cold as possible