etihad

Tag Archives for etihad.

Etihad May Default on $1.2 Billion in Bonds

by Gary Leff on February 2, 2018

Feb 02 2018

In 2015 Etihad created an Amsterdam-based special purpose vehicle “SPV Equity Alliance Partners” which issued bonds for Etihad and other airlines it controlled. Etihad has since walked away from its investments in Alitalia and air berlin, each of which reportedly held 19% of the debt.

Etihad is discussing “how to support the bonds” given the “political and reputational pressure” not to default. It will be expensive for the Al Nahyans to cover the commitment, but embarrassing for them not to.

Cuts Continue at Etihad as Barber/Beauty Salon Eliminated from First/Business Lounges

by Gary Leff on February 1, 2018

Feb 01 2018

Style and Shave still appears as an Etihad Guest mileage redemption option and it’s on the airport website. However reports are that the facility has closed in both the first and premium lounges in their home airport Abu Dhabi, “[A]s one shift ended, the[ staff] had no idea there was nobody coming in to replace them.”

Delta Attacks Boeing as an “Arms Dealer” to Gulf Airlines

by Gary Leff on January 29, 2018

Jan 29 2018

This week’s Airline Weekly (subscription only) interviews Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Delta doesn’t order new Boeing aircraft, but argues that foreign competition is bad for US jobs.

Despite a path towards declaring victory and going home in their fight against Gulf airline rivals, Bastian pushes back on criticisms over Delta’s purchase of subsidized Bombardier C-series jets by calling out Boeing for their willingness to sell planes to the Gulf carriers.

Etihad Putting Pilots on Unpaid Leave and Singapore Flight Attendant Smuggling Gold

by Gary Leff on January 24, 2018

Jan 24 2018

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

$40 Buys Etihad Residence Lounge Access at New York JFK

by Gary Leff on January 18, 2018

Jan 18 2018

Etihad has been on a crash course lately to stop the bleeding from unprofitable airline investments, cut costs, and monetize premium services where they can.

Now they’re selling Residence lounge access at New York JFK even though Etihad offers double-daily A380 service between New York and Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Almost Bought the Worst Airline in the World

by Gary Leff on January 17, 2018

Jan 17 2018

Pakistan International Airlines is the worst airline in the world. Best known for sacrificing a goat for safety and flying with more passengers than seats (and making customers stand for 1700 miles), the airline’s CEO was actually detained as a result of his efforts to provide good seats and service by wet leasing aircraft from SriLankan.

Emirates and Etihad Starting to Work More Closely Together Fueling Merger Rumors

by Gary Leff on January 8, 2018

Jan 08 2018

Last year there was a report that Emirates and Etihad were considering merging. Then in the fall Emirates CEO Tim Clark said he was open to working with Etihad, and offered a non-denial denial about a likely merger.

Now there’s a new modest agreement the two airlines have entered into — signed by their CEOs.

$31 Now Buys Access to Etihad’s VIP Residence Lounge in Melbourne

by Gary Leff on January 7, 2018

Jan 07 2018

Etihad has been selling access to their business class lounge in Melbourne, Australia for AU$99. However they’ve dropped the price for economy passengers to use the lounge down to AU$75.

And anyone inside the lounge can now reserve the private Residence lounge for just AU$40 additional.