Emirates and Etihad will both increase their three weekly frequencies to five under the new agreement that Canadian and UAE governments have signed. The previous one capped the number of flights between the two countries at six.
The new agreement allows 68% more capacity for the designated airlines and also maximum four weekly cargo flights.
A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us an email which to airline to choose to fly between Munich and India 6 to 12 times a year in business class.
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Etihad Airways, that has been bleeding for years (read more here) and lost billions investing in Airberlin and Alitalia, is in search for incidental revenue and has decided that it is now the right time to start charging for “Standard Seats” in economy.
For a “small fee”, travelers can choose their seats in advance. These are available for free of charge within 24 hours of departure. Etihad nowhere discloses what these fees for various seating charges are.
Etihad Airways has been battling mounting losses in the past few years partly due to very badly placed bets in Alitalia and Airberlin (both went bankrupt). Sebastian reported their last year’s results recently (read more here).
Now, the new CEO Mr. Tony Douglas has given more insights what the airline’s plans are going forward. Etihad Airways will scale back on global ambitions (many routes have been cut already and frequencies reduced) and will empathize point-to-point traffic instead of shuffling passengers through its Abu Dhabi hub.
Le Club AccorHotels has launched new bonus miles promotion for Etihad Airways Guest member stays between July 2 – September 1, 2018.
Etihad Guest members can earn triple miles on their first stay and quadruple miles on their second and all subsequent ones during the promotional period. The valid booking dates for this offer are June 23 – August 1.
Etihad Airways has incurred a giant billion dollar deficit for the second year in a row, reporting a $1.52 Billion loss for the financial year 2017.
In 2016 the airline already reported being close to two billion US$ in the hole and now another giant loss for the last year – in the ‘era of the ME3 carriers’ coming to an end?
Etihad Airways is changing the number of Guest miles awards require effective June 30, 2018. The base mileage will stay as of now but the airline will introduce greater variability based on “when you book and fly” (whatever this might mean).
The award surcharges are not changing and this change only affects, per the email, economy and business class awards.
Etihad Airways has now started to sell access to its arrival lounge that is available for business and first class passenger and select Etihad Guest members free of charge.
The access costs 110 AED that is $30 and Etihad merchandises this by sending out emails to select some passengers.
United Arab Emirates, the home for Emirates and Etihad, and the United States have signed on Friday an agreement that requires more financial transparency from these two airlines while at the same time doesn’t curtail their current flights or fifth freedom activities. UAE merely stated that no more of fifth freedom flights are planned for now.
Both sides can tout this agreement as a victory. The US airlines were against these so called fifth freedom flights that Emirates has from Milan and Athens to New York. These fights are continuing services from Dubai. Emirates already publishes financial statements and Etihad will start once their restructuring is complete.
Le Club AccorHotels has launched new bonus miles offer for Etihad Airways Guest programs members.
Etihad Guest members are eligible for triple miles for stays that are both booked and consumed between May 1 – June 30, 2018.
ASMALLWORLD dropped me an email yesterday about two new membership options they had launched that both comes with miles. Prestige one with 250,000 Lufthansa Miles&More or Etihad Guest and Signature one with 1,000,000 Etihad.
Both of these packages come with other benefits such as GHA upgrades, SIXT and SPG (Gold/Platinum status), and other perks.
