KLM and Etihad Airways expand cooperation
Airlines KLM and Etihad Airways will collaborate even more intensively. Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates and KLM have entered a second phase of their strategic partnership with the start of flights between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam.
From mid-May, Etihad will call at Schiphol every day from its home base in Abu Dhabi, under its own 'flag' and that of KLM. They are operated by an Airbus 330-200 with two classes on board. Each flight can carry 262 passengers, of which 22 in Pearl Business Class and 240 in Coral Economy Class.
In October, Air France-KLM and Etihad signed a so-called codeshare agreement. That is, the two companies will connect their networks and jointly offer flights between their main hubs.
The new Etihad flights between Schiphol and Abu Dhabi are in addition to the flights KLM already operates on that route. KLM's current service will also be expanded from the summer to a daily outward and return flight.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003 and carried 2012 million passengers in 10,3. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways flies to 89 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.
The airline has a fleet of 77 Airbus and Boeing aircraft and more than 90 aircraft on order, including 41 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways has shares in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus and, subject to regulatory approval, 24% in India's Jet Airways.
Booked flight yesterday for June 2013, price for flight 507 euros. Not directly but via AMS -> Dubai -> Bangkok. Appears to be special offer. I finally booked through Etithad itself, it was also possible at Vliegwinkel.nl for a few tens more.
Normally I always fly with Emirates, I'm curious how this works out, saved a good 200 eu.
So tip for anyone who still wants to fly.
Hi daniel have you already flown with etihad? I have also often flown with emirates but now also doubt whether I will book etihad for next winter. So am curious.
Grtz
Daniel, are you sure you're flying via Dubai? If you have an Etihad ticket, don't you transfer in Abu Dhabi?
Elles & Cornelis,
Arrived in Bangkok last week. Flight from Etihad was comparable to Emirates, but must say that Emirates has just the dots on the i. Did indeed fly to Abu Dhabi instead of Dubai.
* I think flying from Amsterdam is bad compared to Germany. This time pay attention to why. I flew at 22:00 and at 20:00 there was nothing decent to get, everything closes at 20:00 and that calls itself a world airport. Also when we could not enter the gate, the toilets were cleaned and closed with a roller shutter, we certainly had to wait another 1,5 hours before we could enter the gate, where there were toilets again.
* Abu Dhabi airport cannot be compared to Dubai in terms of size, but it is basically fine. Compared to Dubai, I could use the internet well and for free, which often does not work otherwise. In terms of shops, it is really much less. But my transfer only took an hour.
* Flight from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok didn't go very well, but Etihad couldn't help it. A passenger had not become well and therefore we had to wait more than 2 hours.
* Upon arrival in Bangkok, my suitcase was returned completely broken for the umpteenth time. Now I don't use cheap suitcases, usually €250+ and they still arrive broken. I have had this with several companies. The handling is done via Etihad and so far I am not really satisfied with that, no response to e-mail after a week, etc. But I also find this very bad with most companies.
* Plane and seats seemed similar between Etihad and Emirates, so no negative word on that.
* Food and drink was just good, where I sometimes dare to say TOP at Emirates.
I would definitely book with Etihad again if they are cheaper, otherwise Emirates considering Dubai airport. In my case it was now over 200 eu.