Emirates or Etihad, Which is Best for UAE Flights?

DunPin

I did a search on this but I couldn't find an answer so here I am, creating a thread

I normally fly with Virgin Atlantic however when I go to Dubai (I have multiple trips lined up) and most likely towards Asia and Australasia in the future, I'd prefer to go with either Emirates or Etihad. Looking at the fare prices for a New Years Eve trip, Emirates is around £800 cheaper for business class and goes straight into Dubai compared to Etihad which goes to Abu Dhabi and I'd have to get a car to Dubai which I don't mind providing it is worth it.

While price is a factor, it isn't the main factor, I'm more concerned with which airline gives the best service for business class (as in comfort, staff friendliness etc), ways of earning miles for redemption on flights (Etihad have a CC in the UK now, although knowing MBNA, I'd be rejected :rotfl:).

So yes overall, which airline would be the better one to pick for frequent travel?

loveabargain13

Hi, I've only ever flown on Emirates, you collect Skyward points I've collected enough over the years to have 2 free flights exc taxes to Dubai in economy.

Emirates you get a car to / from airport as long as your within miles.

The A380 is best plane to travel on, the rest of the fleet is rather tired and worn also you don't get full flat lay down beds.

My Dad loves flying Qatar.

peachyprice

That's a bit of a no brainer really.

Emirates is £800 cheaper and goes to Dubai, why would you pay £800 more to not even get to where you want to go? There isn't enough difference between the two to make the wrong destination and more money they best option, ever.

zerog

Ask on flyertalk.

Obviously_the_best

If it's heathrow you're going from, my choice are qantas. Really really good onboard product, and all shiny new A380s.

DunPin

peachyprice wrote: »

That's a bit of a no brainer really.

Emirates is £800 cheaper and goes to Dubai, why would you pay £800 more to not even get to where you want to go? There isn't enough difference between the two to make the wrong destination and more money they best option, ever.

Just because Emirates is cheaper, doesn't mean I should fly with them, I'd like to fly with the better airline and if it is Emirates then great but if it Etihad are better overall, then I'd prefer to fly with them. Just because Etihad goes to Abu Dhabi which is like an hour away from Dubai evens out more as Etihad in the NYE trip instance arrives in the morning whereas Emirates is late at night

It does appear from looking around that Emirates may be the better airline in general, including rewards wise (albeit with a lack of credit card) so I may end up flying with them each trip out.

shoppaholic_returns

I've been on both and will not fly emirates again,as they are always late and the service is far inferior to that of etihad,and the food is also of better quality. Emirates used to be a much better product, I find BA is much better than emirates nowadays.

Try etihad, leaps and bounds ahead of emirates.

Doshwaster

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

If it's heathrow you're going from, my choice are qantas. Really really good onboard product, and all shiny new A380s.

I'm a big fan of the Qantas Premium Economy product - it's miles better than BA's World Traveler Plus and is more like a Business Minus service. It's just a shame Qantas have stopped codesharing with BA.

silverwhistle

When I saw the title I thought it was which footie ground to visit.... Surely it depends who is paying for the ticket: for £800 I could buy some rather nice Burgundy or Brunello di Montalcino..

_Andy_

Not flown with Etihad but have done Emirates J.

Lounges (inc Dubai IMO) are pretty average, service so so.
Seats on A380 very good.
I like how car transfers including in all J fares.

Alpha58

loveabargain13 wrote: »

Hi, I've only ever flown on Emirates, you collect Skyward points I've collected enough over the years to have 2 free flights exc taxes to Dubai in economy.

Emirates you get a car to / from airport as long as your within miles.

The A380 is best plane to travel on, the rest of the fleet is rather tired and worn also you don't get full flat lay down beds.

My Dad loves flying Qatar.

Nonsense.

Emirates takes delivery of multiple airframes every year. Many of these are newer than some of their older A380 fleet so it's hogwash to say that everything except the A380 is not worth it. Lay-flat beds depend on which configuration the aircraft in and when it was last refurbished (or entered into service).

Options for the Gulf (out of Qatar, Etihad and Emirates):

1. Qatar - great service but limited in scope. Expanding all the time but not there yet and the Doha airport is a nightmare unless you like spending hours on buses.

2. Etihad is a similair standard to Emirates but Abu Dhabi airport is small, old-fashioned and overcrowded. The Etihad route network is nowhere near as wide as Emirates.

3. Emirates wins hands down. Multiple flights per day from LHR, LGW, MAN, BHX etc etc. Multiple connections. Huge and modern airport in Dubai and the best frequent flyer programme in the business. Emirates has just taken a truckload of awards (again) including for being the best Midle East airline - they are not perfect but they are very good. Would personally recommend saving the FF miles and blowing them on upgrades to First. The onboard shower in the A380 is quite an experience!