It also doesn't help that EY are in financial strife due to the Air Berlin and Alitalia failures. I wouldn't be surprised if EY sell their ownership stakes in HM, VA and JU (all loss-making) to get themselves out of the financial doldrums.
Another little update, as of 1st Feb 2018 that have scrapped the Style and Shave in the Abu Dhabi First Class lounge.
It wouldn't surprise me if they offer VA Platinum a discounted entry free into the lounge or send us to the Al Rheem or Business lounge.
When a passenger enters a lounge on the basis of their frequent flyer status, the frequent flyer program behind that status (in this case, Velocity) pays the airline that operates the lounge (in this case, Etihad) an entry fee to cover that passenger, which generates revenue for the lounge operator (again, Etihad).
It'd be silly for Etihad to boot Velocity Platinum members out of the first class lounge (for which Velocity would be paying them a not-insignificant amount for the privilege) and send them to a lounge operated by another company (Al Reem is operated by Plaza Premium, for example), because they'll lose out on that revenue.
As for moving Velocity Platinums to the Etihad business class lounges, Velocity and Etihad only came to an agreement on first class lounge access about 18 months ago after the new lounge opened, and agreements with frequent flyer programs are typically signed on a multi-year basis (three years is a common term with an option for extension), so I wouldn't expect to see any changes there right now. If anything, I'm hopeful that Velocity Gold members will be 'upgraded' to the Etihad business class lounges as has happened for Etihad Guest Gold members not too long ago (which would send more revenue Etihad's way instead of to Plaza Premium for the Al Reem lounge), but we'll wait and see!
I have flown EY 6 times in 2017 in Business, I flew with them yesterday ABU/Mel and the crew on board were clearly not happy with all the changes introduced over the last few months, I have observed the decline in service standards on board and in the lounges as the airline tries to recoup all the Euro's they burnt on Air Berlin and Alitalia. Every time they take away another of the little perks that made EY a premium airline they give another reason to look at alternatives> I will be looking at SIA fro EU trips in future.
I'm just going to agree with everyone else. I've flown MEL-AUH-LHR in J twice. One of the MEL-AUH sectors was pretty enjoyable...otherwise all pretty sub standard. Both AUH-LHR flights have had awful service with the dine on demand concept. Each time I stopped a crew member and ordered food that never arrived. Even when I followed it up with the same crew member who took the order she denied all knowledge of it! I ordered a drink, it was delivered to my partner who was sitting 2 rows in front...again, when querying...attitude! The AUH lounge is not a nice place to spend any time and with chauffeur drive gone I am very unlikely to book again.
DanV
DanV
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Nov 2017
Total posts 101
It also doesn't help that EY are in financial strife due to the Air Berlin and Alitalia failures. I wouldn't be surprised if EY sell their ownership stakes in HM, VA and JU (all loss-making) to get themselves out of the financial doldrums.
Sinflight73
Sinflight73
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
Member since 04 Feb 2018
Total posts 1
If it was not for Emirati politics, the best option would be for EY to merge/taken over by EK
asbindia
asbindia
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 26 Aug 2013
Total posts 49
Another little update, as of 1st Feb 2018 that have scrapped the Style and Shave in the Abu Dhabi First Class lounge.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
When a passenger enters a lounge on the basis of their frequent flyer status, the frequent flyer program behind that status (in this case, Velocity) pays the airline that operates the lounge (in this case, Etihad) an entry fee to cover that passenger, which generates revenue for the lounge operator (again, Etihad).
It'd be silly for Etihad to boot Velocity Platinum members out of the first class lounge (for which Velocity would be paying them a not-insignificant amount for the privilege) and send them to a lounge operated by another company (Al Reem is operated by Plaza Premium, for example), because they'll lose out on that revenue.
As for moving Velocity Platinums to the Etihad business class lounges, Velocity and Etihad only came to an agreement on first class lounge access about 18 months ago after the new lounge opened, and agreements with frequent flyer programs are typically signed on a multi-year basis (three years is a common term with an option for extension), so I wouldn't expect to see any changes there right now. If anything, I'm hopeful that Velocity Gold members will be 'upgraded' to the Etihad business class lounges as has happened for Etihad Guest Gold members not too long ago (which would send more revenue Etihad's way instead of to Plaza Premium for the Al Reem lounge), but we'll wait and see!
talkscheap
talkscheap
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 10 Dec 2016
Total posts 4
I have flown EY 6 times in 2017 in Business, I flew with them yesterday ABU/Mel and the crew on board were clearly not happy with all the changes introduced over the last few months, I have observed the decline in service standards on board and in the lounges as the airline tries to recoup all the Euro's they burnt on Air Berlin and Alitalia. Every time they take away another of the little perks that made EY a premium airline they give another reason to look at alternatives> I will be looking at SIA fro EU trips in future.
bcworld
bcworld
Member since 07 Mar 2013
Total posts 6
I'm just going to agree with everyone else. I've flown MEL-AUH-LHR in J twice. One of the MEL-AUH sectors was pretty enjoyable...otherwise all pretty sub standard. Both AUH-LHR flights have had awful service with the dine on demand concept. Each time I stopped a crew member and ordered food that never arrived. Even when I followed it up with the same crew member who took the order she denied all knowledge of it! I ordered a drink, it was delivered to my partner who was sitting 2 rows in front...again, when querying...attitude! The AUH lounge is not a nice place to spend any time and with chauffeur drive gone I am very unlikely to book again.