Etihad's Sydney swap: Airbus A380 replaced by Boeing 777 to mid-2019
By David Flynn, August 2 2018
Etihad Airways will downgrade one of its two daily Sydney-Abu Dhabi flights to a Boeing 777-300ER from October 2018 to late May 2019, except for an eight-week window over the peak summer season.
Flight EY451 – which departs Sydney at 3pm for a midnight arrival into Abu Dhabi – and the EY450 return leg will step back to a Boeing 777 from 20 October 2018 to 4 December 2018, and then again from 7 February 2019 to 30 May 2019.
Between the December-February dates listed above, EY451/EY450 will see a return of Etihad's Airbus A380.
However, the airline's other daily service (EY454/455) will continue to feature the superjumbo.
What's the impact on this on business travellers already booked to fly on EY450/EY451?
Etihad's Airbus A380 has the better business class seat
We'd suggest contacting Etihad Airways, your travel agent or travel manager to shift onto flights EY454/455, given that the Boeing 777 has Etihad's last-generation business class seats – while still decent, they're a step behind the A380's Business Studio design – and lacks the superjumbo's Lobby social lounge/bar area.
Take a break from your seat and socialise in the A380's Lobby area
Of course, the first class experience is markedly different, with the Boeing 777 sporting rather compact suites compared to the A380's spacious Apartments (below) and inflight shower.
Etihad's Airbus A380 first class suites are among the best in the sky
A statement issued by Etihad Airways said the swap was made necessary "due to routine maintenance" and promises the airline "will notify guests booked on these services where necessary, to advise them of this temporary adjustment."
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
04 Nov 2011
Total posts 339
Hard to remember a time when Etihad actually had something positive to announce.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Aug 2017
Total posts 4
QF LTG
29 Feb 2016
Total posts 14
Something positive ? - great new PJ's, caviar - had both recently LHR/AUH but that was in F.. Nicest flight almost ever.
Etihad Platinum
01 May 2015
Total posts 16
One more time around the drain they circle.
22 Jan 2018
Total posts 78
Guess we have to wait till April'19 to hear that the aircraft change is permanent!
Virgin Australia - Platinum
26 Jun 2011
Total posts 68
Swapping the a380 with a 787 would have made more sense to me. Keeping the Business Studio for continuity across all flights and leaving First Class Suites to 1 flight per day.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
29 Jan 2011
Total posts 158
Thankfully avoided the downgrade by 3 days!
16 Feb 2017
Total posts 16
Oh the joys of 10 abreast seating on a 777 !
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 114
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Nov 2017
Total posts 5
The mid afternoon departure from Melbourne is a 787 these days. Well worth it if it fits with your schedule!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
11 Dec 2016
Total posts 59
Anyone notice that the Emirates EK417 SYD - DXB flight has also been downgraded to an 777 as well?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Sep 2011
Total posts 14
Hey - in Perth we are down to an A330 on the AUH route. I think Etihad's day of being real competition to EK/QR are numbered. Maybe it will be ME2 in a few years with Etihad getting absorbed into it bigger brother with a Dual Hub strategy. Great way to get past congestion at DXB
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 391
EY has announced big losses for two consecutive financial years.
QF LTG
29 Feb 2016
Total posts 14
Traveller14 - think you answered yr own comment in the last sentence: not without govt support...
03 Aug 2018
Total posts 1
Unfortunately the final nail with me and Etihad, I’m one trip away from Gold so I’m not the most frequent of traveller on this thread, however after recent experiences in Business with a downgraded service, a poor roll out of economy “reserve the empty seat next to you” where I provided valid, honest and genuine feedback in the early stages only to be referred to their t&c’s as to why I wasn’t provided with what I had paid for, and finally the overall down grade of the service which is extremely notable on UK to SYD.
25 Feb 2012
Total posts 78
I was going to write a similar report but you have covered every point .
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
04 May 2016
Total posts 7
Sadly, we're flying out on the 26th. I specifically booked via SYD (from MEL) so as to fly the 388. Hmmm...
20 Oct 2011
Total posts 4
I’ve flown Etihad’s A380 twice SYD-LHR return this year in F - nothing in the world matches Etihad Apartments & service (except The Residence & that ain’t gonna happen!). June 2019 next - A380 F Apartments...counting down the days. Etihad A380 First - world’s best.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
04 May 2016
Total posts 7
We did F to LHR last year. Superb!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
04 May 2016
Total posts 7
Huzzah! I checked and we're on 454/455!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Nov 2017
Total posts 14
I fly Etihad A380 F twice a year to London and have not had a bad experience. Sadly the experience, whilst still excellent, is being diluted by some of the recent cut-backs in ground services, no limo service at SYD or LHR, however I won't let anyoje fault the apartments. Just a lovely experience in the air. The 777 just does not compare. The 787 is great though if you can find one.
27 Jan 2016
Total posts 7
Will the seating arrangement remain 2-3-2? Or, changed to 2-2-2? Although I prefer 2-3-3 when flying with family.
01 May 2018
Total posts 10
I'm on EY451 for 18 Dec but I just received notification that the aircraft has been downgraded to B777. I am also positioning from MEL. So gutted.
05 Jan 2019
Total posts 1
I booked a reward flight on A380 on 31/12/2018 for travel Sept 2019 and have been notified now of change and now the plane is sitting as unknown. AUH to SYD.
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