EY018 LHR-AUH 16 MAR 14 (Y)
Posted: 26 Mar 2014, 12:41The flights were booked through Expedia a year ago so we were unable to select our seats online but they had been selected for us we ended up with 17AC for the first leg and 18AB for second.
After our horrible premium economy flight with virgin I wasn't looking forward to 14h in economy with a carrier I've never used before.
So we drove to lhr a nice easy drive from our house in wales and parked in the long stay, the bus picked us up and we were checked in very quickly, from house to departure lounge in 2.5 hours.
Check in was fine no issues, we had a drink or 2 in one of the bars in t4 (missing the clubhouse) then strutted down to the boarding gate and walked straight on! Simon has many flaws but he can time the walk to the gate so well we never have to queue to board!
We were greeted at the door and told to turn LEFT (sobbing inside). Got to our seats and realised that these were great seats! Just the 2 in the row! Close to the toilet but I'm not bothered by that as long as I can't smell anything eggy! And I can say that I didn't for the entire flight, fantastic!
Took our seats and opened up our amenity pack. Better that PE and on par with UC on virgin! I was shocked! The headphones were the sound canceling ones u get in UC (just a little bit smaller). Blanket, socks, pillow, tooth brush and paste, eye mask, ear plugs and all in a little individually designed pouch. Simons was different to mine and we swapped as he preferred my design. Funny enough tho I had my UC amenity pack with me from my last flight with all the bits in just incase. I'm new to virgin but after seeing the pack on ethiad it makes virgin look cheap!
We took off on time and the crew came round with drinks, now this is where the fun starts!
The onboard nanny was Spanish and as I speak Portuguese fluently and can get by in Spanish we started talking. She was a scream! She reminded us both of pam ann!
She kept our drinks topped up at all times, stopped for chats. She then past us and said very casually but loudly "it's so nice you are on your honeymoon" and walked away? I thought nothing of it till she past again and "told" us we were on our honeymoon!
Minutes later every CC crew who past us were congratulating us, telling us how excited and happy they were that we were going to Thailand on our honeymoon! Then the champagne starts to arrive from diamond first! We just couldn't refuse
and had to go along with the charade! It calmed down a little before our meal service...what did we have for food!?
By some freak accident when simon booked the flights he had requested special meals for both of us...fruit platters! So our fruit platter arrives and we accept it thinking this is nice, fruit before our main meal only to be told that was our main meal...our Spanish CC thought this was very funny!
After eating four trays of fruit, all very fresh and juicy our CC brought us another tray!
A main meal! With meat!
We both had beef, but I can't remember what we had to start or what sort of beef it was and I can't remember dessert! But it was tasty.
That was so nice of her as she didn't need to give us another meal!
After our trays were cleared away we decide to go to sleep.
I'm not sure how long into trying to nap but 2 things happened! Our over head lights got turned on and our Spanish CC grabbed my arm and woke me up!
More champagne! And a selection of desserts from first class on a massive plate with the word "Congratulations" written in chocolate by the onboard chef!
The FSM handed over the desserts and champagne, congratulated us both and took pictures! (I have them on my camera and will try and upload them)
We had chocolate ice cream, a passion fruit panacotta and 2 others I can't remember apart from pistachio nuts. They were all delicious!
After all this I gave up on trying to sleep and had more champagne, served by the FSM, but this time in coffee cups! Classy!
We would have had a tour of first class if the sheiks wife wasn't on board, I'm glad we didn't in a way...highlighting what we don't have in economy!
Breakfast was served...more fruit!
The onboard entertainment (not the crew) was very good, touch screens and a good selection of movies. I was able to charge my camera on the power port provided. I think the 777 we were on was one of the newest in the fleet. So I was told anyway.
The toilets on board had hand wash, hand cream and a facial spritz. The spritz smelt lovely. We could tell the ppl who had flown with ethiad when we landed as they smelt of the spritz! Eau d'ethiad!
We landed in Abu Dhabi very merry and thinking what an amazing fun filled flight, hoping this would be repeated on the bkk leg!
Will post the AUH-BKK TR later
Darren
Many a time on V Flyer, folks have asked about upgrades as they are going on an important milestone trip. The advice still holds true - do not expect anything, but be grateful if you get a token