terrybooth

Flew earlier this year DOH/BKK (business) in that infamous A340/300. Sat in row15-no IFE working properly and we had to watch that "Bourne " film repeated 3 times on central screen and as for those ancient seats an absolute disgrace. I returned Feb 4 on SQ BKK/SIN/MAN-----best ever!

Etihad Business( pearl ) return UK to Bkk requires 150000 miles yet I use Air France for 110000 miles redemption. Not such a big deal?

The Etihad loyalty scheme is to be launched on August 30th see http://www.etihadairways.com/Presentation/...andingPage.aspx

If you dialled 0870 you're in for a further shock. It could cost 10p per minute. Another con!

When you pass flight conns at LHR before security check you walk past a customs station-probably un manned when you were there.

Me no understand!

And Cathay are soon to start flying from Manchester I believe. Thanks for the warning.

I'll try again--No return flights in Nov x Manchester either

No rjava script:emoticon('') smilieetun flights in Nov x Manchester either

Yip it is a bit early.

Last message (21/7) from agent just said that MAN dep leaves 5 mins earlier on 26/12 at 08.35 and still showing onward dep as 21.55. However 21.00 dep is better still.

Following my post my flight in Dec still arrives in Abu Dhabi at 20.00 and leaves at 21.55 for BKK-no change.(x MAN)

The times after October reflect UK clocks goimg back one hour. It makes no differance to arrival time in Abu Dhabi

and KLM

How long will you be in Doha during the transfers. I've heard some horror stories about being banged up in the transit lounge.

From the UK to Thailand a few of us are switching to ETIHAD AIR in the coming months ( that's about a dozen seats) due to good reports AND lowest prices.

Manchester to Bangkok on 26th December for 1 month is currently 570 pounds with Etihad(good connections)---but not for long!!!!

I would like to know which airline gives 2/3 value miles with each trip. The normal total required to go from UK to Thailand is 80000 award miles(star alliance-Thai Air,Lufthansa SAS etc) and you would qualify for around 11000 with each return trip meaning 7 round journeys for a free ticket plus tax. Sky Team (Air France KLM etc ) operate an identical scheme.

Best flights Etihad Man to Bangkok Weds Thurs Fridays Sats no314/403 return Mons Tues Sundays flights 403/313. Other days if operating have horrendous connection times.

It's good to know they are using new aircraft . Some of the planes Etihad used on the Gatwick/Abu Dhabi segment were chartered from Iberworld and were awful.

The original query said that London is not an option therefore the best flights would be Emirates or Qatar and perhaps Etihad when they commence their flights in March 2006. However if SAS offers a good price then they have the quickest journey to BKK(only 45 minutes at Copenhagen-the plane waits if you're late from Manchester)

One good thing about e-ticketing is that you don't have to worry about losing those tickets as they are in the airline's system and as previosly mentioned just show your passport at check-in.I have recently been printing my boarding cards on line with B A and where this is possible it's a godsend.No more queuing at the check-ins.