On 8/5/2025 at 4:45 PM, BarraMarra said:

I've flown a few times with Etihad from Manchester to BKK. I Flew cattle Class. The Aircraft was a triple 777/300 as well they are old. Clean but still old and my Screen didnt work on a few flights the meals were not realy good either. I changed to Gulf there fleet is new mostly with Dreamliners. Im flying one way Nov 27 from Manchester to BKK £380.

Have you looked at reviews of Gulf Air? Looking forward to read about yr experience.

On 8/5/2025 at 7:33 AM, mikebell said:

Despite booking my seats September 30th 2025, the flight times changed five times.  After two in two days I wondered if I was being hacked and sought help via the Chatline.  The experience left me traumatised fearing I had been scammed out of the most expensive air tickets I had ever bought.  I have a full transcript of their failures which went on for over an hour in which I was told I was not in their system despite giving them my booking reference; the ticket numbers I provided were not recognised; finally to be told 'OK we've found you, panic over.' 

 

I began a series of emails with a spokesperson for the company, who was totally devoid of any empathy suffered by this 82 year old in the middle of the night.  Eventually he deigned to offer an apology though he clearly did not know what damage his company's inefficiency had caused.  When I mentioned the C-word (compensation) he just ceased all communication and ignored my subsequent emails.

 

As my departure date drew near, I feared the worst and that is exactly what I got: the worst flight experience in over 70 years of air travel.  The Etihad flight EY407 from BKK to AUH was an unmitigated disaster from start to finish.  I had paid for Economy + for the extra legroom & priority boarding.  The 777-300ER was well passed its scrap-by date; on a survey of ONE row, my companion's window seat did not recline; my TV needed a woodpecker to change screens (I pitied the guy in front); the aisle seat also had a problem but this was forgotten in the next 50 minutes as we hit turbulence.

 

How must passengers feel when they hear the cabin crew screaming hysterically over the (very poor) intercom system! Not ONE announcement was decipherable except 'Cabin Staff may resume your duties.'   This effectively resulted in mass hibernation and it was TWO Hours into the flight before they made an appearance.  It was obviously my lady's first day on the job as she ignored the hungry, thirsty lines of passengers in front of her, to chat at length to perhaps her family on the front row supporting her.  Eventually it was our turn; she got two of the three orders right but had to be called back to serve us drinks.  Her attempt at G&T was comical (and expensive) - seemingly 50/50% gin to tonic - no ice; no slice.  Sweat dripped off my nose as despite the millions spent on the plane, nobody had taught the pilot the rudiments of the thermostat.

 

From AUH to AGP it was as if I had magically changed companies.  The 787-9 was everything the previous plane wasn't; everything worked even the staff who were extremely attentive; one had even sorted out how to work the thermostat.

 

Again the return journey was a tale of two companies; no problems at Malaga; the Check-in staff even wanted to see my TDAC completed form (though they didn't realise my Thai companion did not need one - it is only for foreigners entering Thailand.)  Then came the return flight where again no one knew how to adjust the thermostat for at least three hours and frequent requests to the cabin crew.  I normally never comment on food served as it is generally unappetising whatever airline one flies with; this one was possibly the worst I'd attempted to eat ever and with NO CHOICE - Thai Chicken curry. Disgraceful

 

I flew EY to MUC last year in business. No complaint about age of aircraft, all worked. EY has a 3* ranking. You get 3*. Why expect more?

I don't eat on flights, I don't booze. Only requirement is a comfy seat. It wasn't comfy & too short. But ticket was cheaper than competitors on the route. 

 

 

6 hours ago, Letseng said:

Have you looked at reviews of Gulf Air? Looking forward to read about yr experience.

Iv'e flown with Gulf the last 3 flights from Manchester to BKK been ok no complaints nice Airport in Bahraine great Smoking areas and it was only £350 this time in November.

18 hours ago, FlorC said:

I've flown with Qatar , and they changed times too.

But these are pretty minor changes.

 

But thanks for letting us know.

I nearly took etihad but the departure times of Qatar were better for me.

 

I wanted to fly Qatar in February. Apparently they were the worlds best long haul,according to Conde Naste or similar. So I looked on TripAdvisor and another flight review and the were hundreds of bad reviews. I don’t understand so many bad reviews and still get first place ?? What am I not understanding ? So next time I’m flying Emirates  which I’m used  to , and flies to my local airport,Nice.

On 8/8/2025 at 8:06 AM, stupidfarang said:

"traumatised" from a phone call,

Which told me I had just been scammed out of 1800 UKP.  I am 82 on a frozen UK pension.  You might be able to shrug this off nonchalantly, but I couldn't; it also meant my family holiday had gone up in smoke.

 

 'I have a full transcript of their failures which went on for over an hour in which I was told I was not in their system despite giving them my booking reference; the ticket numbers I provided were not recognised;' it was not a phone call but a series of texts from a helpline, each one seemingly confirming they did not have my money & my tickets were worthless.  Wouldn't you have felt a teensy bit put out?

6 hours ago, geisha said:

I wanted to fly Qatar in February. Apparently they were the worlds best long haul,according to Conde Naste or similar. So I looked on TripAdvisor and another flight review and the were hundreds of bad reviews. I don’t understand so many bad reviews and still get first place ?? What am I not understanding ? So next time I’m flying Emirates  which I’m used  to , and flies to my local airport,Nice.

Good and bad reviews are everywhere.

I like to avoid Dubai.

9 hours ago, mikebell said:

Which told me I had just been scammed out of 1800 UKP.  I am 82 on a frozen UK pension.  You might be able to shrug this off nonchalantly, but I couldn't; it also meant my family holiday had gone up in smoke.

 

 'I have a full transcript of their failures which went on for over an hour in which I was told I was not in their system despite giving them my booking reference; the ticket numbers I provided were not recognised;' it was not a phone call but a series of texts from a helpline, each one seemingly confirming they did not have my money & my tickets were worthless.  Wouldn't you have felt a teensy bit put out?

Stressed, pissed off, annoyed, but traumatised? No. Maybe look at the meaning/definition of traumatised, so often these days the word is misused. Apart from that yes I would be annoyed and pissed off from the loss of £1,800

On 8/14/2025 at 3:08 AM, geisha said:

I wanted to fly Qatar in February. Apparently they were the worlds best long haul,according to Conde Naste or similar. So I looked on TripAdvisor and another flight review and the were hundreds of bad reviews. I don’t understand so many bad reviews and still get first place ?? What am I not understanding ? So next time I’m flying Emirates  which I’m used  to , and flies to my local airport,Nice.

Awards for best airline are for their business class. Not for economy. Also check which nationality posts most negative comments. 😉