[maxfoods]

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a Etihad Guest Member no.100038745925 in the name of AMIT LOHANA.I was on a business trip with my Business associate Mr. Puneet Gupta from New Delhi to New York.We both were booked in Business class with reference no.YGL97Q and Z4OC7P respectively.

We found that the seats in your Business class from DEL to AUH were not up to the mark in comparison to other Middle eastern Airlines like Emirates.Then we had a to sit in the flight for more than 2 hours at the Abu Dhabi airport as the New York Flight was refueling.If the flight was to be refueled then we should have been told to sit in the Lounge rather than in the plane.

Then to my utter shock and despair we reached JFK two hours late making me miss my connection to Miami on American airlines.There was none of you ground staff to assist us at immigration or otherwise.We were told to go the the Etihad counter where the staff was not helpful and told us that nothing can be done as we were booked on American Airlines and this was there last flight in the evening.If this is the way you treat your Business class passenger then I can imagine the economy class passengers dilemma.They were rude and told us that it is not the airlines responsibility to reach on time and nothing can be done.After persuasion they offered us Hotel Vouchers for Double tree Hotel which we did not use as it felt like begging.

This was not the end as on our return I was booked on the 5th August but my friend was booked on 4th august.I called at least 10 times to Etihad Helpline for a seat on the 5th for my friend Mr Gupta but nothing came up.He was later downgraded to economy class on the same flight from JFK to AUH without any compensation. I was also not satisfied with the service in business class which Etihad boost to be the best awarded Business by World Travel Awards Middle East 2009.I requested for a chicken dinner but was told that they are short on it, I was amazed that in Business class also passengers could not get their choice of meal.I had to eat a chewy Beef Steak which was no up to the mark.

The ordeal did not end here as when we arrived on Delhi airport *** continued when our luggage arrived much after the economy passengers and that too after complaining to ground staff.It took more than 45 minutes for us to get our luggage.I hope this is not how Etihad treats its Business class passengers.I would await an appropriate reply on the matter.Hope to fly soon but not on Etihad.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by maxfoods

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a Etihad Guest Member no.XXXXXXXXXXXX in the name of AMIT LOHANA.I was on a business trip with my Business associate Mr. Puneet Gupta from New Delhi to New York.We both were booked in Business class with reference no.XXXXXX and XXXXXX respectively.

We found that the seats in your Business class from DEL to AUH were not up to the mark in comparison to other Middle eastern Airlines like Emirates.

Why didn't you buy your tickets on another airline then? The seats are the seats. Does an airline ask you at check-in "Which type of seat do you want today, sir? We have the flat sleeper, the extra cushioned almost-flat. or the Spanish Inquisition comfy chair!" All of the seats in a specific cabin are the same. They can't rip out and install custom seating for every flight based on each passenger's preference. There are plenty of resources on the web where you can research what type of seats are used by each major airline worldwide. They even have passenger reviews in som cases.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

Then we had a to sit in the flight for more than 2 hours at the Abu Dhabi airport as the New York Flight was refueling.If the flight was to be refueled then we should have been told to sit in the Lounge rather than in the plane.

This probably had more to do with immigration and customs than with airline policy and procedure. Had you left the aircraft you probably would have spent at least one of those two hours in a queue having your documents and personal belongings checked and screened. You were probably better off staying on the aircraft.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

Then to my utter shock and despair we reached JFK two hours late making me miss my connection to Miami on American airlines.There was none of you ground staff to assist us at immigration or otherwise.

That's because airline staff aren't allowed free run of the immigrations hall where foreign passengers haven't been cleared. There might be one or two representatives that meet the aircraft and direct you where to go, but that's about it. Were you expecting a personal escort for each business class passenger?

Originally Posted by maxfoods

We were told to go the the Etihad counter where the staff was not helpful and told us that nothing can be done as we were booked on American Airlines and this was there last flight in the evening.If this is the way you treat your Business class passenger then I can imagine the economy class passengers dilemma.They were rude and told us that it is not the airlines responsibility to reach on time and nothing can be done.

Were your reservations for the JFK to Miami flights under the same references you gave above or were they booked separately? I'm guessing they were probably separate. If you are ticketed on Etihad from DEL to JFK then they are only obligated to get you to JFK and not responsible for any consequences beyond that if your arrival is delayed. Likewise if you are ticketed from JFK to MIA on American they have know way of knowing if you are arriving from an international flight or are a local resident or visitor in the New York City area.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

After persuasion they offered us Hotel Vouchers for Double tree Hotel which we did not use as it felt like begging.

You made a fuss about missing the last flight to Miami so they gave you vouchers for a hotel that you basically threw back in their faces? How rude! What did you expect them to do, charter you a private jet to MIA?

Originally Posted by maxfoods

This was not the end as on our return I was booked on the 5th August but my friend was booked on 4th august.I called at least 10 times to Etihad Helpline for a seat on the 5th for my friend Mr Gupta but nothing came up.He was later downgraded to economy class on the same flight from JFK to AUH without any compensation.

If the business cabin was sold-out for 5th August what did you expect Etihad to do? Kick another confirmed passenger out of business class so your friend could have the seat? Ridiculous.

Now, the second part of this paragraph is the only part of your whole complaint that I am in agreement with. If he paid for business class for his flight on the 4th and that class was not available for the flight on the 5th then he should receive a refund of the difference. That refund often isn't automatic an he will need to contact Etihad to initiate the refund process.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

I was also not satisfied with the service in business class which Etihad boost to be the best awarded Business by World Travel Awards Middle East 2009.I requested for a chicken dinner but was told that they are short on it, I was amazed that in Business class also passengers could not get their choice of meal.I had to eat a chewy Beef Steak which was no up to the mark.

To ensure that everyone gets his or her first choice of meal the airline would have to cater one of each type of meal for every seat in the cabin. Business class usually offers at least three choices. That would mean the airline would not only waste two meals for every seat but also waste the extra fuel needed to fly those extra meals. It's not practical nor is it economical.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

The ordeal did not end here as when we arrived on Delhi airport *** continued when our luggage arrived much after the economy passengers and that too after complaining to ground staff.It took more than 45 minutes for us to get our luggage.I hope this is not how Etihad treats its Business class passengers.I would await an appropriate reply on the matter.Hope to fly soon but not on Etihad.

Are business class bags tagged differently on Etihad? If so, are the ground workers at Delhi employeed by Etihad or are they contracted employees? My guess is that they are contracted and even if business class bags are specially tagged they probably could care less. Additionally do bags coming off international flights in India undergo x-ray screening before they are sent for pickup in customs? That may explain the delay. In my opinion 45 minutes is not an excessive amount of time to wait for baggage. It's actually on the long end of average.

[maxfoods]

quote=PHXFlyer;11661]Why didn't you buy your tickets on another airline then? The seats are the seats. Does an airline ask you at check-in "Which type of seat do you want today, sir? We have the flat sleeper, the extra cushioned almost-flat. or the Spanish Inquisition comfy chair!" All of the seats in a specific cabin are the same. They can't rip out and install custom seating for every flight based on each passenger's preference. There are plenty of resources on the web where you can research what type of seats are used by each major airline worldwide. They even have passenger reviews in som cases.

Amit Lohana Says - The only reason I bought the Tickets on Etihad was because their Website Boost to have awarded the Best Business class in the 2008.If I would have known that they had this kind of seating comfort then definitely would have gone to Emirates which is a far Superior Airline.With your replying on ripping off the seating is concerned , I hope they do that and install better seating if you are charging four time the cost of Economy.

[maxfoods]

This probably had more to do with immigration and customs than with airline policy and procedure. Had you left the aircraft you probably would have spent at least one of those two hours in a queue having your documents and personal belongings checked and screened. You were probably better off staying on the aircraft.

Amit Lohana Says - There was no immigration or Customs procedure.You are talking like a lay man , its a tiny airport not Heathrow and we had the flight on the same terminal.If the plane came in late they should have let us sit in the comfort of the Lounge rather than in the chair that you think were good for us.Have you ever travelled in Business Class or just some guy who has some close working on Etihad

[maxfoods]

That's because airline staff aren't allowed free run of the immigrations hall where foreign passengers haven't been cleared. There might be one or two representatives that meet the aircraft and direct you where to go, but that's about it. Were you expecting a personal escort for each business class passenger?

You're really not a frequent flier as all airlines in the world try to make an effort to get passengers from delayed flight faster through immigration and customs.When was the last time your were on a plane.

[maxfoods]

To ensure that everyone gets his or her first choice of meal the airline would have to cater one of each type of meal for every seat in the cabin. Business class usually offers at least three choices. That would mean the airline would not only waste two meals for every seat but also waste the extra fuel needed to fly those extra meals. It's not practical nor is it economical.

Amit Lohana Syas - Then the quality of all meals should be up to mark that passengers choosing any meal should feel the good after eating it.



Are business class bags tagged differently on Etihad? If so, are the ground workers at Delhi employees by Etihad or are they contracted employees? My guess is that they are contracted and even if business class bags are specially tagged they probably could care less. Additionally do bags coming off international flights in India undergo x-ray screening before they are sent for pickup in customs? That may explain the delay. In my opinion 45 minutes is not an excessive amount of time to wait for baggage. It's actually on the long end of average.[/quote]

Amit Lohana Says - That's my point Etihad employees care less if you're are Business class or Economy Class passenger.Its not about Forty five minutes , it about being the last few to get there baggage when 80% of the flight has go their baggage.You seem to be giving illogical explanation as the same X ray is for Economy class too.I would recommend you to fly Business Class on Emirates , Singapore Airlines etc and then come and talk to me.

[maxfoods]

You made a fuss about missing the last flight to Miami so they gave you vouchers for a hotel that you basically threw back in their faces? How rude! What did you expect them to do, charter you a private jet to MIA?

Amit Lohana Says -The vouchers came in after persistence and not on their own , if we could buy a business class ticket then we very well can afford to get a decent accommodation on our own , we are not on mercy from any airline to provide us accommodation after arguing for fifteen minutes.

Now, the second part of this paragraph is the only part of your whole complaint that I am in agreement with. If he paid for business class for his flight on the 4th and that class was not available for the flight on the 5th then he should receive a refund of the difference. That refund often isn't automatic an he will need to contact Etihad to initiate the refund process.

Amit Lohana Says - My dear friend we were told that there would not be any refund from your beloved airlines side.

[jimworcs]

Stand by your beds.. someone is going to get it with both barrels!

[maxfoods]

I would be waiting for that.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by maxfoods

Amit Lohana Says - The only reason I bought the Tickets on Etihad was because their Website Boost to have awarded the Best Business class in the 2008.If I would have known that they had this kind of seating comfort then definitely would have gone to Emirates which is a far Superior Airline.With your replying on ripping off the seating is concerned , I hope they do that and install better seating if you are charging four time the cost of Economy.

Then write to them and suggest that perhaps their hard product isn't all it's made out to be. However, if you look closely at the list of awards Etihad has won for their business class product, most are for service. There is a big difference between having the best service (soft product) and the most comfortable seating (hard product).

Originally Posted by maxfoods

Amit Lohana Says - There was no immigration or Customs procedure.You are talking like a lay man , its a tiny airport not Heathrow and we had the flight on the same terminal.If the plane came in late they should have let us sit in the comfort of the Lounge rather than in the chair that you think were good for us.Have you ever travelled in Business Class or just some guy who has some close working on Etihad

No immigration or customs procedure? So you're telling me that if you fly from Delhi to Abu Dhabi that the UAE just allows you to get off the plane and walk out of the airport just like you were flying from Delhi to Mumbai? The reason "There was no immigration or Customs procedure" is because you remained on the plane. Once you left the aircraft you would have been considered a transiting passenger and would have gone through some processing by UAE officials. Since you were on a through flight on the same aircraft you were probably better off remaining where you were.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

You're really not a frequent flier as all airlines in the world try to make an effort to get passengers from delayed flight faster through immigration and customs.When was the last time your were on a plane.

Airlines and their employees have absolutely no influence on how quickly passengers are processed through customs and immigration. Period. Especially here in the US.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

Amit Lohana Syas - Then the quality of all meals should be up to mark that passengers choosing any meal should feel the good after eating it.

Even a business class meal is still airline food. I'm afraid your expectations are unreasonably high.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

Amit Lohana Says - That's my point Etihad employees care less if you're are Business class or Economy Class passenger.Its not about Forty five minutes , it about being the last few to get there baggage when 80% of the flight has go their baggage.You seem to be giving illogical explanation as the same X ray is for Economy class too.I would recommend you to fly Business Class on Emirates , Singapore Airlines etc and then come and talk to me.

That makes no sense. Anyway, my bags are tagged "Elite" when I'm flying a SkyTeam member airline. They are supposed to be the first off the plane and the first to be delivered at baggage claim. Does it happen 100% of the time? No. It's nice when it does and most of the time the system works but I don't make a point to complain every time it doesn't. And I'll repeat that 45 minutes is not an unheard of amount of time to wait for one's bags to be delivered off an international flight.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

Amit Lohana Says -The vouchers came in after persistence and not on their own , if we could buy a business class ticket then we very well can afford to get a decent accommodation on our own , we are not on mercy from any airline to provide us accommodation after arguing for fifteen minutes.

If you were intending to pay for your own accommodations anyway then why did you remain at the airport arguing for fifteen minutes? It was a waste of your time and theirs. It seems since you didn't want any accommodations from the airline you were arguing just to argue.

Originally Posted by maxfoods

Amit Lohana Says - My dear friend we were told that there would not be any refund from your beloved airlines side.

And why not? He paid for business class and flew in economy. An economy class ticket is almost always less than business. What rule or policy are they using to back up not giving you a refund?

"My dear friend" I think you are dwelling too much on the few very minor issues of your travel experience when you should be concentrating on one major issue. Most airlines would issue a refund for the difference in fare or, at the very least, give you a voucher for the difference if the business class fare was non-refundable. I was once in a situation where business class was oversold. They were soliciting volunteers and I asked what my options were and what my compensation would be. In the end I flew in economy on that flight rather than take a flight in business class two days later. I was refunded the difference in fare, since the fare I paid was refundable, given a $500 voucher to use towards a future flight, and received a one-way confirmed space upgrade to business class for a future flight as well. If I was compensated so generously why is Etihad crapping on your business associate? I would demand some form of compensation from them and if they don't give him something for his displacement he should consider a lawsuit against them if it is worth his while.

[maxfoods]

I dont understand , At one point you are saying that the Etihad awards are based on their service and not their Seat comfort.What is SERVICE .When I travel Business or First Class , there are three things I look at First Seat Comfort , Second Prioirty and third is Food.These three constitute the service you are talking about.If they fail on Seat comfort and then food and then on priority then where is the service we are talking about.Kindly change your stand as they failed on all three counts . I am not a cry baby cribing about one airlines service but when on a given trip any Airline fails on all these factors then it needs to taken care off.

[jimworcs]

Well, we seem to have thrashed this one out... but to be honest.. this is probably more of a "don't use them again".. type complaint than "sue the pants of them" type... don't you think?

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

Well, we seem to have thrashed this one out... but to be honest.. this is probably more of a "don't use them again".. type complaint than "sue the pants of them" type... don't you think?

I agree. As I pointed out in my last post, 6th "bullet" (fired from the left barrel, Jim, lol), that we may have here someone who enjoys complaining and arguing about every little thing just for the sake of the argument. He claims he didn't accept the vouchers for the Double Tree hotel because "it felt like begging" but it sounds more to me like he felt that particular hotel was beneath his standards as he went on to say, "if we could buy a business class ticket then we very well can afford to get a decent accommodation on our own." Then why remain at the airport arguing with the staff? Get in a cab, or limousine, and get yourself to whichever hotel you wish! Furthermore, if he has the means financially to throw hotel vouchers back in the face of someone who was trying to help him, then why when the "service" was so bad on the outward trip did he not cancel the returns on Etihad and book with another airline?

Additionally my suggestion on the one thing I agreed with (well, maybe, since he doesn't seem to wish to pursue it) was to inquire further about getting a refund for his associate who paid for business class but flew economy since he wanted to return a day later. Most airlines will gladly either refund the difference for a refundable fare or issue a voucher if the business class ticket was discounted and non-refundable. Yet this person who seems to like arguing about everything else doesn't want to argue about this matter. Strange, indeed.

I think we can call this one case closed.

[KG-BTR]

I am a frequent international traveler in business class. I had generally decent experience on most airlines for my international travels in business class. In March 2015, I flew ORD to HYD and back in business class on Etihad. I should have searched the Internet for reviews of this airline. I did not. I had horrible experience on Etihad.


I flew on Etihad EY150 from ORD to AUH on March 7, 2015 on my way to the final destination, HYD. On this long flight of >13 hours, the cabin crew ignored me while they served food and drinks numerous times to White and Arab passengers. The flight attendant waited on the Caucasian passenger in front of me over a dozen times for wine refills, other beverages, and desserts, but ignored me even when I raised my hand and had my seat light on hoping to get attention.


After poor quality experience on the ORD-AUH flight where I was ignored during food service and whatever little food served was horrible, I was hoping to get use the lounge to brush teeth and refresh, and have a snack before my flight to HYD.


I was dismayed by the appearance and quality of the Etihad business class lounge in Abu Dhabi. The men's rest room was very small. No shower facility. There was an Arab man in his traditional Arabic dress lifting his leg up and washing his feet in the washbasin. What an ugly sight to watch. There was an Etihad attendant watching the Arab man wash his dirty feet in the washbasin and not letting anybody else inside. It was so nauseating that I couldn't go in. The food available was very poor. The lounge was tiny. I rated the Emirates business class lounge in Dubai at the highest possible score of 10/10. I would give your lounge in Abu Dhabi the lowest possible score of 1/10.


On March 19, I returned from HYD to ORD via AUH on Etihad in business class. This time, I traveled with my 80-year old mother. We are both of Indian race and ethnicity.


On the HYD-AUH flight (EY275) of 4 hours and 20 minutes, there were no blankets. The cabin manager told me that Etihad eliminated blankets in business class on short flights. But, this was business class flight of 4 hours and 20 minutes that started late at night. My 80-year old mother was shivering and she fell sick when we arrived in Abu Dhabi. In AUH, the flight landed in remote area, not at the gate. We had to wait for 30 minutes to get wheelchair for my mother, then another 20 minutes to get a bus, 15 minutes of travel in a wheelchair to security point #1, 20 minutes in wheelchair to security #2, and 35 minutes for a third person to push wheelchair to US Immigration and Customs in AUH. While this was happening, an Arab man almost ran away with my Rolex watch as we went through security. At this airport, you have remove everything including your watch and go through security in a crowed narrow area and if you are not watching, Abu Dhabi airport employees and Etihad employees are waiting to steal your belongings.


Two hours of going from remove landing area to 3 different security checkpoints meant we had no time to go to the business class lounge. We landed in Abu Dhabi at 7:15am and our next flight was at 9:30am. My 80-year old mother was starving and shivering and could not even get a cup of coffee, and was hoping to get coffee on the 15-hour flight from AUH to ORD leaving at 9:30am. When we boarded EY151, we were offered lemonade or orange juice or champagne, but no coffee was available. I repeat, this was at 9:30am. So, we had to wait for coffee until the first meal service.


When the meal service began an hour later, unfortunately, my mother and I were subjects of racial discrimination by Etihad flight cabin crew on flight EY151. Although we were seated in the middle of the cabin, the flight attendants who provided food and beverage service several times to the people and in front and behind kept ignoring us. At age 80, my mother wanted to eat early and sleep, but we were always the last ones to be served food during meal time, and this too after I had to raise my hand and wave repeatedly. We only got leftovers on this flight of >15 hours, and only after repeated attempts to get the attention of the flight attendants. The Indian couple who were seated in front of us were also ignored while the cabin crew made several trips to pour wine and whiskey to the Caucasian and Arab passengers on the flight. The flight attendants were disrespectful to us and behaved as if they did not like serving to non-Whites. Finally, after I complained to the cabin manager, a black gentleman was sent to serve us. He was nice to us, but the attitude of the other cabin crew was racially discriminative and painful to us.
It was an utterly humiliating experience to be ignored by the cabin crew because we are of Indian ethnicity while they paid full attention to the White and Arab passengers on the flight. This was in business class and on a flight longer than 15 hours.


If I experienced racially discriminative experience on Etihad only once, I would not have complained. However, I experienced the airline's racist attitude when flying from ORD to AUH on March 7, 2015 as well on AUH to ORD on March 19, 2015. My similar experience again on March 19, 2015 on the flight from AUH to ORD confirmed my belief that this airline has racist attitude. I filed a racial discrimination complaint about the airline with DOT.


So, in summary, avoid Etihad at all costs if you are flying in business class. Food in business class on Etihad is horrible. Etihad toiletry kits contain bare little. Etihad entertainment system in business class on 15 hour flights is so skimpy that you have to watch the same movie again and again. It is 1/50th of what Emirates offers. Avoid Abu Dhabi airport. Etihad's business class lounges are dirty, smelly, and lack basic amenities one would expect in a business class lounge. Etihad destroys your checked bags. Etihad is not a member of a good airline alliance. You get no frequent flier miles for flights between USA and Abu Dhabi. Avoid Etihad if you are non-White or non-Arab because their employees seem to be trained to be racist.


Please do not fly on Etihad. If you do, you will experience nightmares.

[Etihad Representative]

Originally Posted by KG-BTR

I am a frequent international traveler in business class. I had generally decent experience on most airlines for my international travels in business class. In March 2015, I flew ORD to HYD and back in business class on Etihad. I should have searched the Internet for reviews of this airline. I did not. I had horrible experience on Etihad.


I flew on Etihad EY150 from ORD to AUH on March 7, 2015 on my way to the final destination, HYD. On this long flight of >13 hours, the cabin crew ignored me while they served food and drinks numerous times to White and Arab passengers. The flight attendant waited on the Caucasian passenger in front of me over a dozen times for wine refills, other beverages, and desserts, but ignored me even when I raised my hand and had my seat light on hoping to get attention.


After poor quality experience on the ORD-AUH flight where I was ignored during food service and whatever little food served was horrible, I was hoping to get use the lounge to brush teeth and refresh, and have a snack before my flight to HYD.


I was dismayed by the appearance and quality of the Etihad business class lounge in Abu Dhabi. The men's rest room was very small. No shower facility. There was an Arab man in his traditional Arabic dress lifting his leg up and washing his feet in the washbasin. What an ugly sight to watch. There was an Etihad attendant watching the Arab man wash his dirty feet in the washbasin and not letting anybody else inside. It was so nauseating that I couldn't go in. The food available was very poor. The lounge was tiny. I rated the Emirates business class lounge in Dubai at the highest possible score of 10/10. I would give your lounge in Abu Dhabi the lowest possible score of 1/10.


On March 19, I returned from HYD to ORD via AUH on Etihad in business class. This time, I traveled with my 80-year old mother. We are both of Indian race and ethnicity.


On the HYD-AUH flight (EY275) of 4 hours and 20 minutes, there were no blankets. The cabin manager told me that Etihad eliminated blankets in business class on short flights. But, this was business class flight of 4 hours and 20 minutes that started late at night. My 80-year old mother was shivering and she fell sick when we arrived in Abu Dhabi. In AUH, the flight landed in remote area, not at the gate. We had to wait for 30 minutes to get wheelchair for my mother, then another 20 minutes to get a bus, 15 minutes of travel in a wheelchair to security point #1, 20 minutes in wheelchair to security #2, and 35 minutes for a third person to push wheelchair to US Immigration and Customs in AUH. While this was happening, an Arab man almost ran away with my Rolex watch as we went through security. At this airport, you have remove everything including your watch and go through security in a crowed narrow area and if you are not watching, Abu Dhabi airport employees and Etihad employees are waiting to steal your belongings.


Two hours of going from remove landing area to 3 different security checkpoints meant we had no time to go to the business class lounge. We landed in Abu Dhabi at 7:15am and our next flight was at 9:30am. My 80-year old mother was starving and shivering and could not even get a cup of coffee, and was hoping to get coffee on the 15-hour flight from AUH to ORD leaving at 9:30am. When we boarded EY151, we were offered lemonade or orange juice or champagne, but no coffee was available. I repeat, this was at 9:30am. So, we had to wait for coffee until the first meal service.


When the meal service began an hour later, unfortunately, my mother and I were subjects of racial discrimination by Etihad flight cabin crew on flight EY151. Although we were seated in the middle of the cabin, the flight attendants who provided food and beverage service several times to the people and in front and behind kept ignoring us. At age 80, my mother wanted to eat early and sleep, but we were always the last ones to be served food during meal time, and this too after I had to raise my hand and wave repeatedly. We only got leftovers on this flight of >15 hours, and only after repeated attempts to get the attention of the flight attendants. The Indian couple who were seated in front of us were also ignored while the cabin crew made several trips to pour wine and whiskey to the Caucasian and Arab passengers on the flight. The flight attendants were disrespectful to us and behaved as if they did not like serving to non-Whites. Finally, after I complained to the cabin manager, a black gentleman was sent to serve us. He was nice to us, but the attitude of the other cabin crew was racially discriminative and painful to us.
It was an utterly humiliating experience to be ignored by the cabin crew because we are of Indian ethnicity while they paid full attention to the White and Arab passengers on the flight. This was in business class and on a flight longer than 15 hours.


If I experienced racially discriminative experience on Etihad only once, I would not have complained. However, I experienced the airline's racist attitude when flying from ORD to AUH on March 7, 2015 as well on AUH to ORD on March 19, 2015. My similar experience again on March 19, 2015 on the flight from AUH to ORD confirmed my belief that this airline has racist attitude. I filed a racial discrimination complaint about the airline with DOT.


So, in summary, avoid Etihad at all costs if you are flying in business class. Food in business class on Etihad is horrible. Etihad toiletry kits contain bare little. Etihad entertainment system in business class on 15 hour flights is so skimpy that you have to watch the same movie again and again. It is 1/50th of what Emirates offers. Avoid Abu Dhabi airport. Etihad's business class lounges are dirty, smelly, and lack basic amenities one would expect in a business class lounge. Etihad destroys your checked bags. Etihad is not a member of a good airline alliance. You get no frequent flier miles for flights between USA and Abu Dhabi. Avoid Etihad if you are non-White or non-Arab because their employees seem to be trained to be racist.


Please do not fly on Etihad. If you do, you will experience nightmares.

Hi KG-BTR, we are sorry to hear that. Kindly send the details along with your email address and your ticket number via private message to look into this for you. *ES

[KG-BTR]

I sent details via private email. Also send via Etihad feedback.

[Etihad Representative]

Originally Posted by KG-BTR

I sent details via private email. Also send via Etihad feedback.

Thanks! We have escalated your complaint to our Guest Relations team under case number: 344487 who will look into this for you. *ES

[KG-BTR]

Here is UPDATE:

Etihad replied by saying they will post 5000 miles each for me and my mother on our Etihad frequent flyer accounts. They expressed no remorse. We do not even hold Etihad frequent flyer accounts. Etihad never awarded any miles for our business class travels to our American Airlines accounts. Here is Etihad not awarding about 40000 frequent flyer miles and then making a shameless gesture of awarding 5000 miles each in accounts that do not exist. Etihad has not provided any compensation for damaged bags.

So, in response to specific complaints, here is how Etihad responded:

1) Racist attitude: Etihad expressed no apology or remorse.

2) No blankets on long flights in business class: Etihad does not see this as a problem. It sees itself as a low-end budget airline that is not supposed to provide these amenities in business class.

3) Shabby business class lounge in Abu Dhabi: No response.

4) Poor quality food in business class: Etihad is proud to be offering poor quality food in business class.

5) Damaged bags: No compensation.

6) No frequent flyer miles for business class travel: Etihad says contact American Airlines. AA says Etihad is notorious for not awarding frequent flyer miles and that I should keep contacting Etihad. Etihad has not bothered to respond.

I filed a complaint with the US Department of Transportation. They sent a letter to Etihad asking for an explanation on April 29, 2015, but have not heard back. DOT will log all such complaints, especially of racial discrimination, against specific airline, and if there are numerous complaints, they will take serious action against the airline.

American citizens and those living in the US, who have experienced racist attitude by Etihad, are advised to file a complaint with the US DOT here.

http://www.transportation.gov/aircon...sed-race-color

[Mohammadbari]

Hi
Been quite a loyal Etihad guest flyer but the treatment t the lounge especially London is horrible. Asked for Al carte menu and was not given. Had to go and get it from one of the servers but nobody came to take the order or cleaned the table with fresh napkins and forks.
This is not the first time. Not sure the airline judge and treats people by race and colour cause that seem to be the case when looking at how my main outing tables are served.
I know this complain will just go into the crack like always without any improvement in service to the loyal customers.

Mohammad Bari

[Etihad Representative]

Originally Posted by Mohammadbari

Hi
Been quite a loyal Etihad guest flyer but the treatment t the lounge especially London is horrible. Asked for Al carte menu and was not given. Had to go and get it from one of the servers but nobody came to take the order or cleaned the table with fresh napkins and forks.
This is not the first time. Not sure the airline judge and treats people by race and colour cause that seem to be the case when looking at how my main outing tables are served.
I know this complain will just go into the crack like always without any improvement in service to the loyal customers.

Mohammad Bari

Hi Mohammadbari,

thank you for getting in touch with us via this forum. We're sorry to hear you feel you have been mistreated.

The fact that you feel this way, is not acceptable and we would like to apologize for the same and assure you that it was never our intention.

Would you like us to look into the matter in more detail? We would like to assist. Please send us the details of your experience and your booking reference to ********************** *JP

[KG-BTR]

If you live in the US, consider sending your complaint to the Department of Transportation. You may file the complaint online.

http://www.transportation.gov/aircon...sed-race-color

Originally Posted by Mohammadbari

Hi
Been quite a loyal Etihad guest flyer but the treatment t the lounge especially London is horrible. Asked for Al carte menu and was not given. Had to go and get it from one of the servers but nobody came to take the order or cleaned the table with fresh napkins and forks.
This is not the first time. Not sure the airline judge and treats people by race and colour cause that seem to be the case when looking at how my main outing tables are served.
I know this complain will just go into the crack like always without any improvement in service to the loyal customers.

Mohammad Bari