If they are not selling F seats, yet are selling Y & J, then obviously they know when they replace the Jet aircraft with their own new Etihad planes, these will be 2 class planes. (otherwise there is no reason not to sell F if they are already selling Y & J) That just makes my point stronger, that Etihad can't compete with EK's F product to BKK (Im speaking of the 380 which EK flys to BKK 3 times a day. Its interesting that EK also flys 777's to BKK as well but a number of these flights are 2 class. Time will tell, and when I say time i mean years but seems to me, EK was very smart to invest so heavily in over 100 380's. First (Now) the Gulf 3 together are showing how superior they ALL are to what Europe and America have to offer, but once that war is fought its only natural the next war will be between the ME3 themselves (and that will hinge on premium class passengers)

 

Etihad's first can certainly compete with the EK hard product. Maybe not with the bar and the shower, but the rest is quite solid.
EK start flying their two class 380 to BKK as well. So there seems to be a market for high density configurations.
If Etihad could generate a higher yield with 8f seats than 50+ Y seats, all year around, then they would certainly do it. I would expect BKK is a rather "cheap" route where ticket prices are lower, compared to other "business" destinations.

 

EK had a sale recently on the BKK-HKG route 12,400 baht (240 pounds sterling) J and 18,000 baht ( 360 pounds) F....crazy cheap, for a 3 hr flight...i know because i booked....There were similar deals for the BKK-SYD route in J.....They may fill the F and J from DXB-BKK but the onward flights are struggling

 

I flew out of BKK last night and was shocked and disgusted by the "lounge" Etihad is now using. The Louis Tavern lounge was overcrowded (mostly with people paying a few bucks for admittance) There is NO difference between the so called First and business class lounge. They are both primarily pay per use lounges with cheap plastic chairs, food not fit for a dog, I really could not believe they would have the nerve to send First class passengers into a lounge like this. I had to stand for 10 min before finding a seat to squeeze myself into

My flight on the other hand was very nice, great crew, food was fine, etc.....just like a 5 star airline should be

However, while the fine service went a long way to make up for the "lounge" in BKK, once on the ground in AUH, Etihad failed again and again. First we were sent to a remote stand (it happens) but it took 15 min for the busses to show up........The Chauffeur drive was absolute chaos!!!!. Coming from EK, I am used to a very civilized way of seeing how this service is done, you go up to the desk (either first or biz class), are given a printout and when you walk outside your car is waiting. Etihad on the other hand had at least 30-40 people crowding in front of one another with what seemed like every man for himself. People were actually screaming at the guys who "worked" getting the cars. I waited 30 min for my car, they don't separate first and business class.......it was a mess and NO supervisor or Etihad ground staff outside to help (I was told by the guy behind me on line that this is not normal) but its what I saw and I won't be giving them another chance to see if in fact it was normal or not.

Its a real shame that Etihad is such a mess on the ground as the flights was very nice, the crew was wonderful, the food was fine and the seat was comfortable.

 

Quite frankly, the way they have treated premium passengers at BKK is nothing short of disgraceful. In fact, it is downright appalling. I loved being able to use the Thai first class lounge and made sure I got to the airport a little bit earlier than normal so as to enjoy the facilities. However, based on your report, on my next trip I will avoid using the new Micky Mouse free-for-all lounge and time my arrival at check-in accordingly.

You mentioned that you had a great flight, was that in J or F? My next flight AUH BKK is in F, whilst the return is in J.

 

It was in F.

I think I'm the only person who loves the Jet Air suites. was flying them on purpose when they first came out and were only operated by JET AIR on JET AIR flights, then with TK, TG and was quite happy to have one last night on Etihad.

Im in BKK around 4-6 times a year and always fly either EK (If coming from or going to home) or TG if I have to come from or go to Europe. Ive never loved BKK airport but I don't dread it. The EK lounge is very nice (same as all EK biz/first lounges outside DXB and the TG F lounge is one of the better lounges around (plus the TG arrival service is excellent.) I was SHOCKED that an airline who's only real competition is EK would treat first class ( or biz class) passengers this way. The flight attendant (who was Thai and works that route often for language skills) told me in the last 2-3 flights she has heard nothing but complaints about the lounge (and that says a lot cuz Ive never discussed a lounge with a crew member. She asked me if I minded if she wrote it up as a complaint. I told her to go right ahead.

There are so many lounges in BKK that may not be great but are at least ok (Korean, JAL, SQ, etc ,etc. I am sure if Etihad wanted they could rent space from a number of better alternatives then what they are doing now. (Im not kidding when I say the lounge in Karachi is cleaner and has better food then these Louis Tavern jokes -

 

I fly out of BKK tomorrow night on the 8.10 flight. Very disappointed to see that they will be using the Louis Tavern!
Due to that I have just arranged for my chauffeur pick up to be 40 mins later than I originally planned, minimising my lounge experience, not good.
I'm in J and this will be the first time that I will be on Jetihad and hope at least that will be good.

 

EY confirmed via email to me last week that if i was flying in F/Platinum I could use the TG First Lounge..i assume they told you at check in what lounge you could use?

 

Having read the latest comments regarding the Louis Tavern Lounge, i may have put my foot in it, regarding my previous comments...I havent used the LT lounges for about 6 years now. Before i thought they were fine,quiet,and on par or better than the Thai Royal Silk lounges.( ive only had the pleasure of Thai First once, and that was superb )....It appears things have changed, for the worse...Im flying out of there next month and post my comments

 

They told me I could no longer use the TG F lounge (I was in full F) Maybe that was due to my flight leaving at 0215 and the F lounge closes at 0100 but it was not even given as a choice. To add insult to injury my flight left from the gate RIGHT across from TG's F lounge (D3)

 

That's it then. No more TG F lounge. The email I received stated that both J and F pax could use the Louis Tavern lounge. It's a cost cutting exercise leaving premium pax frustrated.

 

That's it then. No more TG F lounge. The email I received stated that both J and F pax could use the Louis Tavern lounge. It's a cost cutting exercise leaving premium pax frustrated.

 

Look on the bright side - it can't be worse than their lounge in Singapore and that is always serviced by a plane with F.

 

On Etihad's list of worldwide lounges, there has been an update....
Bangkok : Louis Tavern CIP Lounge
Oh dear oh dear Etihad.

 

First flight since New Years and was shocked that Etihad no longer using the TG Lounge here at BKK Airport.

Business class are now sent to the Louis Tavern Lounge and it's a shambles with horrible dry food and a broken coffee machine and orange soda for juice.

Better to go upstairs and eat at Burger King.

Last week I was on Emirates to HKG and Emirates lounge is amazing.

Etihad you should be ashamed!!!