Malaysian Airways v Etihad

[sydneyboy]

I am considering Malaysian Airways Business or First Class or Etihad First Class to Europe (some good deals going at the moment). Has anyone had recent experience with these carriers and classes?

[ansettrule]

I have had no exp with Etihad but have flown business class to london from Adelaide with Malaysia Airlines and can't fault the service in fact we only will travel with Malaysia Airlines when we go overseas as we have never had any trouble.
All flights have left on time and no luggagge lost in approx 15 trips.
Malaysia Airlines for me!!!!!!!!

[pax1a]

I am considering Malaysian Airways Business or First Class or Etihad First Class to Europe (some good deals going at the moment). Has anyone had recent experience with these carriers and classes?

I too am a fan of Malaysian First (but their business class seats are another story). The Cabin layout in the 747 is quite a bit larger than Qantas/BA, the sleeper seater have heaps of space between them. The service is great and the food is 4/5. I think they even serve Dom.

pax1a

[BiziBB]

I am considering Malaysian Airways Business or First Class or Etihad First Class to Europe (some good deals going at the moment). Has anyone had recent experience with these carriers and classes?

sydneyboy, among the seemingly thousands of bits of trivia, news and info I've posted on FT about Etihad, one benefit in a premium booking is the Limo pickup /delivery at each end.
Etihad Guest transport- many Euro cities covered.
Chauffeur

Country To-From Airport *Distance UAEAbu Dhabi International AirportAnywhere in the Emirates. UK
London Heathrow Airport, Manchester Airport
Pearl Business Guests: Within a 100-mile driven radius.
Diamond First Guests: Unlimited mileage.

USA
New York JFK AirportWithin a 70-mile driven radius of the airport
(New York, New Jersey & Connecticut)

Thailand
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Intl Airport
Within a 60km radius of the airport.

Ireland
Dublin Airport
Within a 50km radius of the airport.

Germany
Frankfurt & Munich Airports
Within a 50km radius of the airport.

CanadaToronto
Lester B. Pearson Airport
Within a 50km radius of the airport.

Australia
Sydney Airport, Brisbane Airport
Within a 50km radius of the airport.
Within a 90km radius of the airport.

France
Charles De Gaulle Intl Airport
Diamond First Guests: Within a 100km* driven radius.
Pearl Business Guests: Up to 60km within Ïle de France.
to & from Charles De Gaulle Intl Airport.

Switzerland
Geneva Airport Within a 60 km radius of the airport.

Russia
Domodedevo International Airport
Within Moscow Ring Road (MKAD) to and from Domodedevo International Airport.

China
Beijing International Airport
*Within a 50km radius of the airport.

Luxury coach

I think both airlines are great and you likely wil be happy with each.
How good are these offers you mention? Do they still include limo for the EY fare?

I love KL as a stopover and really like the airport (and the Golden Lounge is pretty good).
How interested are you in trying the new EY F lounge? Some pictures and reviews on the ME FFP forum on FT.
BB

[Travel Guru]

As an agent, I can't recommend EY to my clients simply because their service is extremely inconsistent and at times borders on rude.
It's something that runs right through the company from the ground staff to the air crew, and when you're shelling out a high amount of money, you dont want to risk it on an airline like EY IMHO.

I'd go for MH any day of the week, great staff, great product and consistently positive feedback.

TG

[Evan]

I would say MH over EY, but thats only because i know the service on MH and althoughnot my regular airline they are pretty good.

EY on the other hand i am afraid i have had family who have had terrible expereince, but that could be a one-off incident who knows.

And i would imagine there could be more cute FA's on MH i like there uniform. (Hey checking them out passes the time)

E

[sinbad8880]

As an agent, I can't recommend EY to my clients simply because their service is extremely inconsistent and at times borders on rude.
It's something that runs right through the company from the ground staff to the air crew, and when you're shelling out a high amount of money, you dont want to risk it on an airline like EY IMHO.

I'd go for MH any day of the week, great staff, great product and consistently positive feedback.

TG

I would agree with this assessment 100%. I flew Etihad to LHR last December (bus class on way over, free upgrade to first on the way back). My assessment is as follows:

1/. Aircraft travelled on were virtually new Airbuses and the bus/first class seats are absolutely fantastic. The best sleep I have had on any airline travelling to UK;

2/. Service is patchy at best. My wife ordered breakfast 3 times in First class and ended up not receiving anything at all. Ground crew particulalry in Abu Dhabi are absolutely hopeless.Some FAs were very good but most of the ones we encountered struggled to understand English and seemed to be untrained. They do smile a lot though. Food is pretty good.

3/. Save your money, travel bus class instead of First. On Etihad, the price differential between the two is not worth it and the FAs are the same (generally not very good!)

4/. Airport limo transfer is also patchy. To the airport, travelling bus class, we were in a BMW 7 series while travelling to Abu Dhabi airport from Dubai, travelling in first, we were in a plain shabby taxi??? Also our driver from LHR to our hotel was rude and an absolute mad man on the roads to the point where I told him to slow down otherwise we would be getting out.

5/ Bus class lounge at Abu Dhabi was an absolute disgrace, third world standard. I do believe they have or will be opening another lounge there.

In a nutshell, go with Malaysian any day over Etihad!

[Arthur Hodgson]

Why not just pay a little extra and go with a non-islamic airline?

My wife flew MH KUL-SYD a couple of years ago and it was during the Haj. Not a nice experience.

But chacun à son goût, as they say.

[BAM1748]

Forget EY if you've got an medical condition like being diabetic. Nothing like unreliable food supply, problems with cabin crews with taking insulin, and if you start swaying a bit (i.e. no food bring me some sugar quick) they automatically assume you've had to many beers (even though not one was consumed, didn't they notice they hadn't served any) and want to lock you up for a week.

Not only do I not recommend them, I hope they go out of business.

[Travel Guru]

Not only do I not recommend them, I hope they go out of business.

That's not likely to happen given they're owned by the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi...not unless that oil supply of theirs runs dry anytime soon

TG