Rumors are swirling that Etihad Airways will ditch American Airlines and partner with United Airlines. What will this mean for all three carriers? It was two years ago that rumors were swirling that Etihad was close to joining Star...
Emirates Firmly Dismisses Rumor Of Etihad Merger
“We can make it very simple, very easy: There’s no truth to the rumour. No truth. And end of story.” That’s Hubert Frach, Emirates head of commercial operations for Europe and the Americas. He’s in England this week touting Emirates’...
A Decadent Meal in Etihad First Class
Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. In case...
Review: Etihad Airways A319 Business Class Abu Dhabi to Bahrain
While Etihad is nothing short of spectacular in many ways, it does not measure up to Qatar Airways on intra-Gulf flights. We departed from a remote stand, meaning a long bus ride from the gate to the aircraft. Etihad...
Review: Etihad A380 First Class Apartment
What is it like to fly in an Etihad A380 First Class Apartment on a shorter flight? This is part of my previously unpublished 2016 Gulf Carrier Mezze trip report. Although Etihad now uses a 787-9 instead of a...
Civil War in Trump Administration Over Gulf Carriers
What happens when two factions within the White House hold differing views on the same agreement? A war of words, to say the least… A fascinating AP story by Josh Lederman outlines the conflict. In one corner, President Donald Trump’s trade...
Delta’s Victory Lap Over a Meaningless Agreement + New Service to India?
Reading press releases from American, Delta, and United, you would think that Emirates and Etihad agreed to abandon service to the United States. They actually agreed to very little. But in a face-saving move, U.S. carriers are celebrating. Delta’s...
How Shall I Get Back to LA from Ho Chi Minh City?
My Qatar Airways 777-3ooER Qsuite flight is right around the corner. But I have nothing booked home… This is a review trip and I’m not planning on spending any time in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a lovely city...
Lightning Fast Internet Coming to Etihad
By late next year on Etihad, you may be able to stream YouTube videos and Netflix from the comfort of your seat. The Gulf carrier hints high speed internet is coming with speeds up to 50 Mbps. Dubbed Wi-Fly,...
Why is Air Berlin Blaming Etihad for its Failure?
Air Berlin is seeking damages from Etihad for “letting” it become insolvent. No folks, this is actually not some sick joke. This is true. Air Berlin is demanding at least 10 million euros, blaming Etihad for “letting” it become insolvent. The...
Ouch! Ramifications of Etihad’s $1.87BN Loss
Etihad lost near $2BN last year due to bad investments and low fuel costs. What will the future hold for the behemoth Gulf carrier? When it comes to actually flying, Etihad made money. Its losses come primarily in three...
A Dishonest Smear in the Fight Over Gulf Subsidies
Earlier this month, Delta released a “documentary” attacking the Gulf Carriers. I didn’t even write about it because it represents unadulterated propaganda. But now a friend was attacked for criticizing it and I feel obligated to weigh in. Be warned: in the...
Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Electronics Ban Lifted: What’s Next and Why
Good news for travelers to the United States: the electronics ban has been lifted on Etihad, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines. The ban will be lifted on flights from Saudi Arabia in the next couple weeks as well. So what was that...
Will US Airlines Now Boycott Alitalia?
The problem according to U.S. airlines is this– The nations of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are funneling billions of dollars in government subsidies to their state-owned airlines, distorting the international aviation market and undermining fair competition....
Etihad and Lufthansa Announce Closer Partnership
In a joint press conference with Etihad CEO James Hogan and Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, the two carriers announced a strengthened codeshare agreement, terminal relocations for Etihad in Germany as well as new LSG Sky Chefs and Lufthansa Technik contracts...
Lufthansa and Etihad Merger Won’t Happen. Here’s Why.
Reuters broke news this morning that Etihad is considering up to a 40% stake in Lufthansa with mutual plans for merger under consideration. Stranger things have happened, but I find the merger scenario very unlikely. Why a Lufthansa – Etihad...
Review: Etihad Lounge LAX
Etihad opened a new lounge in Los Angeles earlier this week and I was able to get a sneak the morning after it opened. Located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, the lounge is small but luxurious as far...
Etihad Clarifies First Class Lounge Policy in a Good Way
Earlier in the month the new Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa opened in Abu Dhabi (full photo tour here). In a separate post, I wrote about the lounge access policy, telling the story of an Australian couple who...
Access Policy for Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa Abu Dhabi
25 JUNE 2016 UPDATE: Etihad is now allowing passengers into the first class lounge who arrive in first class but are connecting in business class. Here is the bottom line– Access to the Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa...
A Condensed Photo Tour of the New Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi
With neraly 120 pictures, my recent review of the new Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi may have been overhwhelming for some, so I also want to provide this condensed version of ten photos that capture...
