Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is the upcoming low-cost joint venture between two of the UAE airlines – Sharjah based Air Arabia and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad. The joint venture is one of the two new low-cost airlines being launched in the capital of the Emirates – the other being a joint venture between Wizz Air and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company …
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Inflight review: Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9: Business Studio: Washington to Abu Dhabi
The gate from the lounge brought me right onto the aero-bride to the aircraft. I was met at the door by a member of the crew who checked my boarding card and pointed me to my seat. Washinton Dulles (IAD) to Abu Dhabi (AUH). EY 130. STD 21.25 STA 19.00 (+1). All times local. Boeing 787-9. A6-BLD. Seat 9A. I …
Read More »Lounge Review: Etihad Airways Lounge Washington D.C. Dulles
I arrived at Dulles on my connecting flight just about three hours and forty minutes before my flight with Etihad. The check in desk had not yet opened and having baggage to check, I had no choice but to wait for it. About 10 minutes after I reached the desk, the desk agents manned the desks and began checking people …
Read More »Etihad cuts seat back IFE screens and revises economy meals
Of the big three middle-eastern carriers, Etihad has been suffering the most financially. The airline has resorted to significant cost cutting over the last couple of years to try to claw their way out of the red. The airline has also been trying to increase revenue out of its existing product by charging to book certain seats, introducing a buy-on-board …
Read More »Etihad Airways 2018 results analysis
Etihad Airways recently reported its annual results for 2018. The results highlight the continuing challenges for the airline as it addresses elements of its fleet, network and profitability. These are important for its transformation program. While there was a 4% increase in passenger yields, the impact on overall revenue was not significant. On the cost side, the airline was able …
Read More »Video: Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and Fly Dubai fly in formation
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has four airlines, the two best known are Emirates and Etihad from the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Fly Dubai is a low-cost carrier based in Dubai and Air Arabia is based in Sharjah, another of the seven emirates. The UAE was celebrating its 47th national day over the weekend. This year has …
Read More »Why the Jet Airways acquisition will be good for the Tatas
The potential of the Tatas acquiring the beleaguered Jet Airways, raises a lot of questions. Bangalore Aviation presents an operational analysis on where and why the acquisition makes sense and what it would need to go through. This analysis focusses on the Tatas acquiring Jet and merging it with Vistara, the brand of Tata SIA Airlines Limited, the joint-venture of …
Read More »Details of “The House” lounge revealed after Etihad exit’s it’s London lounge
Middle eastern carrier Etihad Airways is in the middle of a massive cost cutting spree. The airline has gone from spending money like there was no tomorrow to pinching every possible penny. In the last year we have seen the airline cut down routes, reduce passenger benefits like the chauffeur drive, catering and beverage quality in first and business, etc. …
Read More »To attract buyers Government allows 49% foreign investment in Air India
In a bid to attract more bids, the Union Cabinet of the Government of India, has allowed up to 49% Foreign Direct Investment in the national carrier Air India which is up for disinvestment. In a release the Government said “It has now been decided to do away with this restriction and allow foreign airlines to invest up to 49% …
Read More »Etihad Airways to suspend Abu Dhabi Dallas-Fort Worth flights
Etihad Airways will suspend its Abu Dhabi – Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) flight effective March 25 2018 which be the end of the Winter schedule. The national airline of the United Arab Emirates claimed the route will become commercially unsustainable following American Airlines’ unilateral decision to terminate its codeshare agreement with Etihad. American Airlines had on June 29th, served notice to …
Read More »Inflight review: Etihad Airways A320: Business Class: Abu Dhabi to Bangalore
This is the third in a three part article of my trip from London to Bangalore. After getting off my flight from London, I had a horrible headache courtesy my disturbed sleep on the flight. Our plane seemed to have parked at almost the last gate at the terminal and the transfer security was on the other end of the …
Read More »Inflight review: Etihad Airways A380: Business Studio: London to Abu Dhabi
This is the first in a three part article of my trip from London to Bangalore. After exiting the lounge, I walked straight up to the gate which is right opposite the lounge entrance and immediately reached an agent, had my boarding card scanned and let through to the aerobridge. The experience of transiting the lounge to the aircraft was …
Read More »Lounge Review: Etihad Lounge London Heathrow
This is the first in a three part article of my trip from London to Bangalore My trip with Etihad from London began badly. Knowing that I would be traveling with two large bags and a hand carry, I had requested the Etihad call center for a minivan or something similar which could accommodate all the luggage. A day before …
Read More »Etihad Airways eliminates free chauffeur service for premium passengers
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is eliminating its complimentary chauffeur service for its business and first class passengers at all its international destinations. A paid option “at specially negotiated rates” will replace the free service. Economy class passengers can also avail the new paid service, and Etihad Guest members will accrue frequent flier points. The cutback is part of a series …
Read More »Emirates, flydubai, Etihad suspend Doha flights amidst middle-east diplomatic row
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have severed diplomatic relations with the tiny peninsular state of Qatar claiming the latter’s support of terrorism. The four nations have cut all land, sea and air contacts too. Qatar, which boasts the highest per capita income in the world, shares its sole land border with Saudi Arabia which …
Read More »Etihad speeds James Hogan’s exit. Ray Gammell is interim Group CEO
Ray Gammell has assumed full management responsibilities as the new interim Group CEO of The Etihad Aviation Group (EAG). Current President and Group CEO James Hogan, will formally leave the company on July 1, 2017. Gammell was the Group’s Chief People & Performance Officer. In parallel Ricky Thirion the current SVP Group Treasurer, takes over full responsibilities of the Group …
Read More »Christoph Mueller could be Etihad’s new CEO
Industry sources indicate that Christoph Mueller is likely to be appointed as the CEO of Etihad. The appointment comes at a time when the airline is facing severe challenges specifically — a rising cost base and declining yields that resulted in the departure of its previous CEO James Hogan along with several other members. A turnaround expert A no-nonsense and extremely direct person, …
Read More »US bans electronic devices on flights from Middle East and North Africa
Citing potential security threats and extremists seeking “innovative methods” to bring down flights, the United States has indefinitely banned virtually every electronic device from the cabin baggage of passengers flying on nine middle-eastern and north-African airlines or from 10 airports in the region, destined to the US. Domestic flights within, and international flights from, the US are exempt from these …
Read More »Etihad shifts A380 from Mumbai to Paris. Messes up my travel plans.
Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways appears to be withdrawing its flagship A380 superjumbo service from Mumbai and shifting it on the Abu Dhabi Paris route this summer from July 1. The A380 will operate on one of its twice-daily services to Paris and replace the Boeing 777 the airline currently flies. The Mumbai route will be replaced with an Airbus …
Read More »Etihad and Lufthansa to co-operate on catering and maintenance
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and Deutsche Lufthansa have expanded upon their leasing and code-share agreement signed last December. At a joint press conference in Abu Dhabi James Hogan, President & CEO Etihad Aviation Group, and Carsten Spohr, Chairman & CEO Lufthansa Group signed agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoU) on catering and aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). The $100 …
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