The only explanation is a plane change over the peak times to a 777-300 (2 class). Etihad are still selling flights as a 787 and they only a 3 class configured 787 so a plane change might be on its way.
I recently had a Singapore airlines plane change from an A330 to B772 and the seat change came through before the aircraft change showed online.
Their system shows it is still a 787-9 with 2 class config on certain days. The seat map can be identified as 2 class config has toilet in front of Row 5, the 3 class config has toilet behind row 6
Its still a 787 on all days that I have checked - it appears that they have cut the 3 class service back to a two class one. I thought their might have been a media release about this.
I got upgraded from Y to J on the PER to Abu Dhabi route and it was two class only - surprized me when I checked what seats we were in they had no existed on the seating maps online... to then find out Abu Dhabi to PER was 3 class.
Etihad confirms that Brisbane will be swapped from a three-class Boeing 787 to a two-class 787 from December 1. We can still see some flights with three-class aircraft after that period, so we're in the process of confirming whether first class will be sold on those one-off flights, whether the operating aircraft hasn't yet been updated in the booking system (and will actually be a two-class), or whether business class passengers will be able to select seats in the first class zone with first class not actually sold (as happens on Qantas' A380 flights to Hong Kong, for example).
Etihad is selling 3 class again to Brisbane. Just purchased a first class ticket in September 2017. Before when I looked all tickets were listed as sold out, but they are now available.
Etihad is apparently running first class on a limited number of dates in 2017 to coincide with operational requirements (ie. the need to use a three-class aircraft at certain times), so when they do, first class will be sold rather than left empty.
For the Northern summer season, they seem to be selling FC again. Using the EtihadGuest web site, they are selling FC from 26 March all the way through to September, but not before that. It seems to be more than just the odd date.
If they have just loaded it into the system wrong, hopefully I have managed to get one of the correct dates, as it is in the middle of the school holidays.
I had been checking for weeks, and September '17 never showed up as available. Expertflyer showed all the F codes as 0 available, then on Nov 3 (and now) the F codes between Dec and March didn't even show up - now they are there and selling FC.
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Etihad dropping three class service to BNE ?
MikeM
MikeM
qantas
Member since 18 Oct 2012
Total posts 71
Etihad dropping three class service to BNE- has anyone seen any media on this? I've just had a booking downgrade from F to J for Dec and Jan travel.
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
The only explanation is a plane change over the peak times to a 777-300 (2 class). Etihad are still selling flights as a 787 and they only a 3 class configured 787 so a plane change might be on its way.
MikeM
MikeM
qantas
Member since 18 Oct 2012
Total posts 71
They do have 2 class 787's in the fleet
http://www.ausbt.com.au/etihad-brings-boeing-787-9-onto-perth-abu-dhabi-flights
afloskar
afloskar
Member since 10 Aug 2015
Total posts 156
It probably won't be a plane change unless it is to a 777-300 because they only put the 787 on to BNE last june. It may however go to a 2-class 787-9.
aussiflyer
aussiflyer
Member since 27 Jan 2016
Total posts 41
Their system shows it is still a 787-9 with 2 class config on certain days. The seat map can be identified as 2 class config has toilet in front of Row 5, the 3 class config has toilet behind row 6
MikeM
MikeM
qantas
Member since 18 Oct 2012
Total posts 71
Its still a 787 on all days that I have checked - it appears that they have cut the 3 class service back to a two class one. I thought their might have been a media release about this.
afloskar
afloskar
Member since 10 Aug 2015
Total posts 156
The 2 class 787 may only be on times when demand for first class is weak
MattJelonek
MattJelonek
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
Member since 08 Jun 2014
Total posts 90
I got upgraded from Y to J on the PER to Abu Dhabi route and it was two class only - surprized me when I checked what seats we were in they had no existed on the seating maps online... to then find out Abu Dhabi to PER was 3 class.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
As you may have seen reported this morning: Etihad Airways axes first class on Brisbane-Abu Dhabi flights
Etihad confirms that Brisbane will be swapped from a three-class Boeing 787 to a two-class 787 from December 1. We can still see some flights with three-class aircraft after that period, so we're in the process of confirming whether first class will be sold on those one-off flights, whether the operating aircraft hasn't yet been updated in the booking system (and will actually be a two-class), or whether business class passengers will be able to select seats in the first class zone with first class not actually sold (as happens on Qantas' A380 flights to Hong Kong, for example).
Wazza
Wazza
Member since 13 May 2016
Total posts 2
Etihad is selling 3 class again to Brisbane. Just purchased a first class ticket in September 2017. Before when I looked all tickets were listed as sold out, but they are now available.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Etihad is apparently running first class on a limited number of dates in 2017 to coincide with operational requirements (ie. the need to use a three-class aircraft at certain times), so when they do, first class will be sold rather than left empty.
Wazza
Wazza
Member since 13 May 2016
Total posts 2