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Hey all – sorry wasn’t sure where to post this.
Using some AA miles that I have had kicking around, I’ve got a trip planned for my elderly parents from BOM to LHR (via AUH) and have an option to book either BA Prem Economy (Boeing 787) or Etihad Economy (A380).
Seems a no-brainer that BA PE would be the better option for something that will give them the most comfort (I think!) but the Etihad economy option works better in terms of timings and duration overall.
How does the Etihad economy experience stack up against BA’s PE? I hear it’s one of the better airlines but have not flown with them so appreciate any thoughts?
I’ve never flown Etihad, but I’ve flown lots of economy and quite a lot of PE. The worst PE is significantly better than the best economy, at least in terms of the seat and the space.
Surely the BA flight is direct and the Etihad has a stop?
PE could work best as the cabin is smaller so:
– they get priority check in which can help
– they will get first on the plane which will give them time to put their stuff up
– there will be less fighting for storage
– smaller cabin which means they can be best looked after (in PE you can press the call button and ask for a drink or snack and they will bring it)(It remains BA so don’t expect much of it tho so I wouldn’t even tell them “I booked you in PE!” As they may expect something it is not)
With elderly people, connections can be difficult, especially if theres no familiar face around them to guide them.
Direct always preferable unless the cabin is an upgrade over the alternative.
I agree with yonasl, to keep expectations low, but at the same time you need to tell them it’s PY, so that they board when PY pax board and not wait until Y boarding begins!
I agree with yonasl, to keep expectations low, but at the same time you need to tell them it’s PY, so that they board when PY pax board and not wait until Y boarding begins!
But BA boards by group anyway, so they just need to board in group 4 (or whatever their boarding pass says), rather than listening out for a cabin…
BA pe is significantly better than Etihad economy. Flown del-lon multiple times on different airlines, economy doesn’t even come close to the comfort of PE. The middle east airlines are great, but their economy is similar to economy of any other airline like BA, virgin etc, if you compare the seat width, pitch, recline.
As above, if BA PE is direct, and EY has a stop, the direct flight every time.
Less time in the air, better seat/service, avoids the risk of a missed transfer for whatever reason.
Several years ago I booked an aged and rather fragile uncle on QR J from Australia to UK. He didn’t realise that flights were not called in the lounge at DOH and innocently sat there until he’d missed the flight. QR were singularly unhelpful when he tried to get assistance and just left him to it, in a panic he called his sister in the UK, who called me.
Fortunately I’d booked it via Amex Centurion, they actually called me to say he’d missed the flight even before I heard from his sister! While I kept him on the phone, Amex got QR to put him on the next flight and then told me his new flight details.
Sounds silly, but a long flight and a bit of inattention, things can easily go wrong.
Many thanks for all the responses everyone!
This forum is full of great people – no question seems too obscure or silly to ask 🙂
The BA PE option available currently is not direct – it’s via AUH. Not ideal, and even more so as it is a silly o’clock flight time – 04:05 am leaving Mumbai.
I’ve since had a chat with my folks and now a change of plan based on the feedback. I’ll look to book them direct BOM to LHR instead and may even probably get them business on BA once availability pops up. I will just need to keep checking the site every couple of weeks … but as they are not travelling till Feb 2026 I have some time!
Once again thanks to all!
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