Virgin Australia partner Etihad Airways will upgrade all of its Sydney-Abu Dhabi flights to the flagship Airbus A380 from October 29 2017, providing a double-daily superjumbo service to Australia’s business capital.
With a daily A380 already serving on Etihad’s overnight flights (EY454/455), the daytime EY450/451 services will see significant upgrades to the first class and business class experience over the current Boeing 777-300ER.
In first class: nine spacious ‘Apartments’ with a separate chair and bed plus an inflight shower...
... and in business class, the airline’s latest ‘Business Studio’ seats prove a comfy place for both working and sleeping:
Travellers in both cabins can also make use of The Lobby – Etihad’s inflight lounge area...
... while seriously cashed-up jetsetters will also find The Residence at the front of the upper deck: a private three-room suite with a separate lounge room, bedroom and private bathroom and shower:
However, Etihad Airways will end its Airbus A380 flights to Melbourne from the same date, replaced by a Boeing 777-300ER of the same type as being removed from Sydney.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 85
Sorry Melbourne! :-/
04 Jul 2013
Total posts 22
Makes sense. I have never flown on a empty SYD - AUH v.v flight. Cheers Melbourne!
08 Feb 2016
Total posts 14
Sad, but I agree, the A380 was almost always only 60-70% full when I flew on it to/from MEL. Anyway, at least we still have the more beautiful lounge!
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 79
Whew! Glad it's not gone from Australia completely.
22 Jun 2016
Total posts 16
I'll stick with J in the B787 out of BNE, couldn't handle being cooped up in the F enclosures.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Feb 2014
Total posts 15
This is extremely annoying that to go in first I will need to fly to Sydney first. I fly in first with Etihad for all my European trips but will now choose another airline ie Singapore or Emirates. Well done Etihad, you will loose quite a few people on this great decision and now I will have to work out how to get rid of my points with your airline.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Hi Peter, just so that it's clear: you'll still have the option of Etihad first class out of Melbourne - but on the older Boeing 777 product.
(Melbourne will have two flights per day: one using that Boeing 777, and another with a Boeing 787 that has no first class.)
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 438
And compared with most other airlines first class, the older EY first class is still very good.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Feb 2014
Total posts 15
I hlave travelled on the 777 first class, but much prefer the 380, I wic I'm paying that amount I don't particularly want to go backwards. Will be choosing another carrier. Shame as I have been telling all how amazing the first class product is on the 380 but will now not do that anymore. Etihads loss!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
Wow the ME3 are really upping the stakes. Great for Sydney to have the choice. Not so good for Melbourne. Being a QFF one world Emerald I am in the OW camp but would love to try the etihad craft. Residence looks superb.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2011
Total posts 359
Having just flown EY on the A380 last week in J I can say it's a great product and a big win for Sydney. And that's coming from a rusted on One World Emerald.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Jun 2015
Total posts 2
At least Qatar is putting the A380 on the Melbourne leg. Gives another super jumbo F choice out of Melbourne.
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 122
but will it last...
Etihad
25 Jan 2015
Total posts 1
Big loss for Melbourne. I am EY Platinum and although the 777 J and F still good products (compared to QF ex Mel in particular), the A380 J and F are truly fantastic. The late evening Melbourne departure very convenient but now much less attractive with the old bird back on the route. Would I go via Sydney instead? Yes, but the lack of curfew in Melbourne is one of the main attractions here. Work all day; have dinner at home and see the kids; EY driver picks up at 2030. I am Gold with Cathay so may try their A350 and go to Europe via HKG for a change.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1559
And how many flights Qantas (or for this merit even Virgin Australia, Etihad "partner") doing from Sydney? And how many from Melbourne? No-one interested to investigate?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
I think we all know that QF and VA operate more international flights from SYD than MEL. Bigger population base. Not much "investigation" needed.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1559
Please do not play silly - question was about flights to Abu Dhabi. So how many flights QF and VA COMBINED doing from Sydney to Abu Dhabi? And this is considering that demand is exist because Etihad managing 2 x A380 flights?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Nov 2011
Total posts 121
@serg Ahhh... you do realise that no one really just flies to AUH right?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Aug 2015
Total posts 34
Wonders what they will do when the Vic capitol overtakes Sydney for population within the next 3 years ? there is less than 500k difference in the population currently
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Nov 2011
Total posts 121
Just goes to show that the SYD market is by far the bigger market when it comes to supporting premium fares and loads.
12 Sep 2014
Total posts 26
Congrats tmsmile, At last Sydney wins somthing.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Nov 2011
Total posts 121
Not a brag, just commercial reality. Its not nice that MEL doesn't get as good a product but the reality is unless there is money to be made the aircraft are better used elsewhere. This is something people forget when cities get cut.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 69
It's really poor planning on part of etihad and it really makes them look bad. A better move would have been to drop the older 777 service to Melbourne and retain the A 380. They could have added a thrice weekly 787 if the demand was there. Now the message that Etihad flyers from Melbourne are getting is that they can't rely on this Airline to offer them a premium aircraft, while other carriers like Emirates and Qatar are improving their offering.
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