Etihad Airways – A Deeply Disappointing Experience and Zero Accountability I am writing this review to warn other travelers about my experience with Etihad Airways — an airline that sells premium services it does not deliver, and then refuses to take any responsibility once problems arise. False Promises from the Start On July 11, 2025, I booked a Bangkok–Paris flight (Ref. 9GD9B3) in Economy Deluxe, paying THB 31,950 — a significantly higher price than the standard fare. This “Deluxe” ticket was advertised as including: Extra legroom seat Free change Free refund Priority boarding I paid this premium because I wanted comfort and flexibility. Instead, what I received was the complete opposite. Reality: No Extra Legroom, Unsafe Cabin Once onboard, I discovered that my seat was not an extra-legroom seat, despite paying specifically for that feature. Even worse, during the Abu Dhabi–Paris flight, a loose plastic floor panel near my seat came apart — a detail that made the cabin not only uncomfortable but potentially unsafe. Complaint Ignored and Case Closed I submitted my first complaint (Ref. 2507244808219), including photos as evidence. Etihad’s response? They claimed that “extra legroom seats are subject to availability” — despite advertising them as a paid upgrade. They then closed the case without apology, explanation, or any compensation. “Free Change” That Costs More Than Cheaper Fares Later, I tried to change my return flight from October 14 to October 12. Even though my Deluxe fare clearly included “Free Change”, Etihad demanded THB 17,100 in extra charges — which is more expensive than the maximum change fee for a lower “Comfort” fare (THB 12,350). When I questioned this absurd discrepancy, I received only vague, repetitive, and unhelpful replies. Three Complaints, Three Closures I filed two more complaints (Refs. 2509304917822 and 2510214955867) to get proper answers. Each one was closed again with the same automated message — “your case has already been reviewed” — without addressing any of the key points. Contradictions and Evasive Replies I even reached out to Etihad on social media. On Facebook, they told me my case was closed and they couldn’t help further. On X (Twitter), they claimed it was still under review. On LinkedIn, they again said it was closed and refused to continue the discussion. Always polite — but always evasive. Never a real answer, never accountability. My Final Verdict After three complaints, zero solutions, and months of contradictory responses, I’ve lost all confidence in Etihad Airways. The airline’s behavior is misleading, unethical, and deeply disappointing. I will be sharing my experience publicly on Trustpilot, TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, Facebook, X, and Reddit, so other travelers are aware before booking. Etihad Airways may call itself a “world-class airline,” but my experience has shown the exact opposite — a company that hides behind scripted responses, refuses to take responsibility, and treats loyal passengers with silence and disregard.

Not being able to choose a seat or pay for a seat is crazy. Also, you can’t upgrade to a better group through the website, only via the app (figured it out too late)

I’ve never met a person like Abhinash Chettri at the Indigo Airlines counter in Terminal 2 during my delhi to coimbatore flight — so polite, well-spoken, and helpful while guiding me about the luggage and lounge. People like him truly make customers happy and help the airline build lasting relationships

I’ve never met a person like Abhinash Chettri at the Indigo Airlines counter in Terminal 2 during my delhi to coimbatore flight — so polite, well-spoken, and helpful while guiding me about the luggage and lounge. People like him truly make customers happy and help the airline build lasting relationships

I'm very sad because I was deceived. I was sold a pig in a poke. I bought five round-trip tickets from Lisbon to Phuket with a stopover in Doha. I was asked to accept a change because the August 28th Doha-Lisbon flight had been canceled. The only alternative was to fly via Madrid and make another stopover. This cost me an extra five hours of travel, more airport expenses, and part of the trip on a lower-quality flight. My greatest surprise was to discover, upon arrival in Doha on the 28th, that a flight to Lisbon was still available, with the same airline, just with a different number and 5 minutes earlier. I was never offered the option of taking this flight. For this reason, I consider myself a fraud and the fact that the airline didn't even respond to my complaint!! Shameful.

I am writing to make a formal complaint about the humiliating, discriminatory, and distressing treatment I received from your cabin crew on **Flight VA697 from Melbourne to Perth**. Upon boarding, I urgently needed to use the lavatory as I had unexpectedly started my menstrual period. When I quietly asked to use the toilet, **the crew member refused my request**. I explained that it was urgent, and when I begged to be allowed to go, she appeared offended and **told me that if I was “sick,” I should get off the plane.** This response was inappropriate, degrading, and deeply insensitive. Menstruation is not an illness — it is a normal biological process. I was well-prepared but was caught off guard, and simply needed a few moments of privacy to manage the situation hygienically. During the flight, a **manager approached my seat** and escalated the humiliation even further. In front of the two male passengers seated beside me, I was **forced to explain that I had blood dripping down my legs and urgently needed to use the toilet.** Rather than treating me with dignity, she told me again that if I was “unwell” I should not be flying, and then **demanded that I go and apologise to the steward** for my “urgent” tone when I had requested the toilet earlier. I was then **made to apologise to the steward a second time — in public — once again having to explain that I had blood running down my legs** and needed the bathroom urgently. By that point, much of the cabin had witnessed my humiliation. I cannot overstate how degrading and traumatic it was to have my private health situation exposed, questioned, and used as grounds for public embarrassment. I was left in tears and deeply shaken. There are countless compassionate, discreet, and professional ways such a situation could have been handled. Instead, I was **treated like I had a disease**, stripped of my privacy, and made to apologise for a basic bodily function.

Recently, there have been far too many flight delays. In particular, it seems that flights are being rescheduled or substituted — sometimes I’m reassigned to a flight departing four hours later. This makes it impossible to plan trips properly, and I’m often forced to change my schedule. It doesn’t appear to be due to weather conditions; rather, it seems the airline is making these changes for operational reasons.

I was traveling with a party of 8. Sky Express did not load any of our luggage on the plane from Milos to Athens. When we arrived in Thessaloniki (second leg), they had no idea where our luggage was. We made repeated calls to Sky Express in Milos and Athens and go no answer. After several calls and visits to the lost and found at the airport in Thessaloniki, they confirmed that our luggage had been shipped by boat to Athens. We finally received our luggage six days after our trip, and risked returning to the US without our luggage. We will never fly Sky Express again!

The aircraft of this airline was the worst one I have ever taken. The facilities were poor, the plane and the toilets were filthy, and the attitude of the flight attendants was extremely bad.

I recently flew with China Eastern Airlines and was genuinely impressed. One of the first things that stands out about this airline is its strong commitment to safety. As one of China’s major state-owned carriers and a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, China Eastern follows strict international aviation safety standards and consistently earns high safety ratings from global aviation authorities. Their modern fleet, mainly composed of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, is meticulously maintained and operated by highly trained crews. Beyond safety, the overall flying experience was excellent. The cabin was clean and comfortable, with attentive staff who managed every detail professionally. Flights departed and arrived on time, and I appreciated how smooth and calm the entire journey felt — a reflection of both technical reliability and crew competence. In short, China Eastern Airlines offers a reassuringly safe and comfortable travel experience, backed by solid international credibility and years of dependable operation. I would definitely recommend it, especially to travelers who prioritize safety and reliability above all.