Etihad drops business class pyjamas

By David Flynn, September 8 2017
Etihad drops business class pyjamas

Inflight PJs have joined the cutlist on Etihad Airways, with the Gulf airline no longer handing out free sleep suits to business class passengers.

After hearing a series of anecdotal reports from readers Australian Business Traveller contacted Etihad Airways, with a spokesman for the airline confirming that  "Etihad Airways no longer provides complementary loungewear, previously available only on ultra-long haul flights, in business class."

But all is not only if you're in the very pointy end, as "loungewear will continue and remain exclusive to The Residence and first class only.”

Pyjamas are the latest casualty at the belt-tightening airline, which has also axed its free chauffeur drive service for business class and first class passengers; imposed data limits on inflight Internet plans, and closed its Six Senses airport lounge spa at London's Heathrow Airport.

The airline also tightened up its Etihad Guest frequent flyer scheme this week, although Gold-grade members gained access to the Abu Dhabi business class lounges.

As previously reported, Etihad has also joined a move by Emirates to ope the doors of its 'premium' airport lounges, with travellers now able to buy their way into everything from the flagship first class and business class lounges at Abu Dhabi to most other airport lounges including Sydney and Melbourne at rates ranging from A$72 to A$266 depending on the lounge and your original class of travel.

Etihad Airways is also reeling from failed investments in AlitaliaAir Berlin and the Swiss-based Etihad Regional, and in May reported a US$1.9 billion loss for its 2017 fiscal year.

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

31 Aug 2012

Total posts 210

Memo to self:   Pack a pair of other airline PJs from the stash if doing Etihad J  (preferably First Class ones).

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2011

Total posts 362

Myopic thinking from an airline that should know better.

12 Aug 2017

Total posts 75

Worrying cutbacks. Not so much because of what they are but because these are the obvious and visible savings. 

One wonders what invisible cutbacks are taking place, say in maintenance and back room. 

29 Jan 2012

Total posts 168

Good Point! We worry about losing PJ's but what is the bigger picture in cut backs. The airline industry is new to the region when compared to the competing legacy airlines, so will be interesting to see the actual adjustments and cost savings being manoeuvred behind closed doors and their future plans if the price of oil does not rise. The airline is an adolescent when compared to the majors and will be quick with knee jerk changes believing customers will stay, but they are wrong. Will be an interesting 12 months ahead for them.

04 May 2015

Total posts 267

All these ongoing cuts are just sad, really. If you'd asked me a couple of years ago which words come to mind when you say Etihad, I'd have said "luxury, service, five-star".

Ask me again now and I'd say "cost-cutting, cheap, nasty".
All the money they've spent building themselves as a luxury brand in the last few years can't undo the fact that now, many see them as anything but.

13 Sep 2016

Total posts 177

Losing PJs in business class in itself isn't a big thing for me, but the cumulative effect of these rolling cutbacks is a concern. Etihad's massive relaunch built around the A380 was "flying re-imagined" and their model was more a boutique hotel than an airline. The business class seats and amenities, the A380's lobby lounge, the amazing first class 'apartments' which still impress, the lounges and amenities and a la carte dining in business class lounges all added up to a "world's best" experience. All those positive changes quickly made them my international airline of choice. Now this is being whittled away, bit by bit, as the harsh reality of business sets in and Etihad risks becoming by and large for business travellers 'just another airline'. Very sad.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

01 Mar 2013

Total posts 169

Good reporting David. And, I'll follow on from Bob's commentary above. I flew home last night from AUH and Bob is on the money, the cumulative effects are noticeable over the last 18months. First Apartments are still outstanding, but the 'little things' are not a stand out as before. The First Lounge isn't as impressive as it could be, still nice and no complaints. But unless you are a Platinum or flying in First it's not a free massage (15mins mind you). But there is the bigger picture.

The GCC is in trouble and reeling from the fall in the barrel. Simple as that. Everyone in the GCC is tightening the belt, I see it everywhere on every trip. The little things are disappearing and the offers (hotels) are increasing. It's not just EY, it is EK and obviously QR as well. The Abu Dhabi Sovereign Fund, the largest in the world at $US900bn, is being drawn upon. The welfare state(s) are not cheap to maintain. 

I still believe EK, EY & QR will seek to dominate but until we see the bbl over $US65-70 (which is a long, long way away) the Middle East is on a budget - and they've never had to experience this before.

United Airlines - Mileage Plus

10 Jan 2014

Total posts 2

Great news!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

11 Oct 2014

Total posts 693

Now .. perhaps, we can say ... "the Emperor has no clothes" ..

25 Feb 2012

Total posts 78

Yes I confirmed this last week and informed fellow members in another post . Some didn't believe me .    I will hunt out my Pjs from first class upgrade ! Lol!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 Mar 2014

Total posts 132

The world certainly is a changing place...

China Southern Airlines - Sky Pearl Club

30 Sep 2013

Total posts 11

It seems Abu Dhabi is bleeding dry, as their  Midfield Terminal is also delayed by a year and they are making up the losses by cutting amenities in Etihad.

13 Nov 2015

Total posts 49

Was on Qatar in J overnight long haul international flight. No PJs even though the route was listed with PJ amenity.  When asked about them, the cabin attendant just shrugged it off. Standards? Yeah, right. The big 3 over extended themselves and all are on a transparent or stealth cost cutting binge.

30 Jun 2011

Total posts 49

Such a shame as the EY PJs were some of the nicest around.

Qantas Platinum

04 Dec 2012

Total posts 48

They were a bit ugly anyway

iM
iM

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

27 Jul 2016

Total posts 57

And on down the slippery slope it goes...

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge

01 Sep 2011

Total posts 414

I don't fly Etihad but to me this sounds like penny pinching.

Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles

27 Nov 2012

Total posts 44

We seem to forget that the "late" CEO purchased bad Airlines, and made bad investments in the industry, that even the original countries could'nt bail out.

The Gentleman has gone now, but financially won't be forgotten.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

13 Sep 2014

Total posts 7

Flying re-imagined?


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