Etihad Airways is gearing up to make some sort of an announcement tomorrow (Wednesday), and I’m not sure what exactly to make of it. The first clue was dropped a couple of weeks ago, a second clue was dropped a few days ago, and now Etihad has dropped yet another clue. The clues are about…
Continue reading: Etihad Teases Big Announcement: Here’s My Guess
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
They just flew the Milwaukee Bucks MKE-AUH yesterday so probably some promotion video around basketball
I really don't think there's a need for expansion right now at AUH. I was there a few weeks ago, and outside of the overnight bank, the airport is largely a ghost town. It's awesome to basically have the lounge to yourself in the middle of the day, but if they opened up more gates, you'd just be doing a lot of unnecessary walking.
The actual phrase is 'more than meets the eye' without the 'what'. Perhaps that's a clue? Bit of an odd mistake to make otherwise.
Maybe something to do with Abu Dhabi relaxing face mask requirements, all we can see really when we wear a mask is our eyes.
With respect to the monument itself, it's a forest versus trees illusion. The trick is to not look too hard and you will see it. But, there IS something there. And, once you see it you will say AHA! Whether this is suggesting the city is more than what meets the eye or augurs for some announcement is anyone's guess.
You admitted to not being a millionaire. With analytical 'skills' like that, why does not surprise?
Following on from John T, I think they will join Star. Rumour from Virgin Australia is they are looking to join and this makes sense with the recent UA tie-up. The only thing to hinder this is Air NZ to veto Virgin joining however United may pressure Air NZ as this would also help their alliance.
rolling out Premium Economy? (I know it has nothing to do with the clues, if there was supposed to be any)
I think the shape in the lights means something. I was kind of seeing an elephant on the left, was thinking maybe they were launching a new route to somewhere in Thailand.
I think they already have bkk and hkt, so maybe to Chiang Mai? Or the shape could be a coastline somewhere that I don't recognize.
Exactly. The image seems to resemble a bunch of stars that are together - an alliance of stars.
To my eyes, it is the outline of the FIFA World Cup. Etihad is not an official sponsor so they would have to tread lightly with any suggestion that they are affiliated with the 2022 World Cup aside from running shuttle flights between AUH and DOH.
Guesses:
Easiest one - The A380 is ready, and with a slight reconfig?
New Midfield
Joining an alliance - Oneworld is better than Skyteam, even though Qatar and Oman are in the region. Perhaps it takes 3 ME carriers to take on EK?
The picture and the statement makes me think it may have something to do with a lounge announcement…but It’s really a shot-in-the-dark guess.
Nothing to see here - it’s just a simple instagram post to create content. The Founders Monument is an illusion as the Sheikh’s face becomes visible when you look from the right angle - so it’s more than initially meets the eye. I’m not sure why anyone would think this is the precursor to a big announcement.
On an unrelated issue I have really enjoyed my recent EY flights - if you ask me the ship has been stabilised and the airline is on the right path. It’s a very competitive business class seat and product, just wish they would do something with the nearly completed terminal.
Wouldn't shock me if they joined Star Alliance. Their award availability on American has all but disappeared unless you're flying out of London. In the past I'd always see lots of options directly out of ORD and JFK via American award. Lately, almost nothing. Wondering if its a precursor to parting ways from OneWorld partnership?
“With social media having become so popular nowadays”
Dear lord Ben, writing for the AARP crowd? My parents - who are both over 75 - wouldn’t say “nowadays” (and my dad still occasionally refers to Asia as “the Orient”). Social media has been a popular platform for announcements for at least the past 10 years. Not a recent development.
Wealth has nothing to do with this.
My stalking fanclub used to be a relevant troll. You're falling behind.
You want me to keep feeding the John, you need to do better.
What's the point if both of us isn't having fun anymore.
A380 refurbished and flying to my local airport to collect me
Alternatively joining an alliance
Joining star Alliance makes little sense as, they'd go from competing for traffic with Qatar on one world to competing with Turkish and to a more limited extent air India on star alliance. If they want to join an alliance honestly there is no one grabbing that traffic to the ME and South Asia on skyteam. It's the largest hole on the skyteam map- no one is going to rely on Saudia for that flight.
While Skyteam would make sense from passenger's point of view it is going to be Star Alliance. Etihad already works closely with Lufthansa and even uses the LH terminal (2) at Munich with codeshares etc. If Etihad is joining one of the alliances then its Star.
Turkish while in Star doesn't really have a close relationship to other members and you can be sure LH and the rest would rather channel pax through Etihad than Turkish.
New livery seems honestly much more likely than joining *A, especially given the first teaser.
I'll throw out a wildcard and suggest that they're launching a SpaceX Starlink terminal for IFE. Satellites form constellations, and the chain-looking things at the monument remind me both of a stack of Starlink satellites inside the Falcon 9 payload fairing as well as the train of satellites in LEO when they begin to space out.
I am not sure I see the value in Etihad joining either Star because of UA's recent partnership with Emirates or oneworld given AA's relationship with Qatar.
The reason why Etihad has struggled is because of much larger carriers around it - Emirates and Qatar as well as Turkish. being in a relationship with carriers that also have relationships with those two carriers will only magnify Etihad's problems rather than helping solve them..... but we will see.
1. The return of the Airbus A380, given that it has been grounded by the airline and probably retired, though a final decision allegedly still hasn’t been made
2. The opening of the Abu Dhabi Airport Midfield Concourse, which has seemingly had construction stalled
3. The appointment of a new CEO, as Etihad’s current CEO is allegedly resigning, and moving to Saudi Arabia’s startup airline
4. The introduction of a new partnership, or Etihad possibly joining an alliance; for years there have been rumors of Etihad joining the Star Alliance, but up until now nothing has come of it
I don't think any of these might happened
1. Etihad's CEO is still very adamant about the A380
2. The Midfield Terminal has never been mentioned by Etihad in a long time
3. Pretty off brand from the teaser
4. United's new partnership with Emirates and then Etihad joining Star Alliance seems way to unlikely
I don't think a new livery is possible, no new orders aside from the A350 which has the current livery. Having a new livery on the 777x is not sensible considering they only have 1 on order
Building a SpeakEasy inside the lavatories of their long haul aircraft, drinks are handed through a window disguised as mirror. Brilliant.
@InceptionCat you make a lot of declarative statements, issued without much corroboration to back them up....
So what if EY works closely with LH. EK works closely with UA. Now what?
LH doesn't have any greater veto or sponsorship capability than UA, as they're both founding members.
Also, the only thing people can "be sure" about, is that LH would rather transfer pax on the airline that allows LH to share in a joint revenue. Right now, that's not the case with TK. If another carrier in the region did, that's with whom LH would more closely partner.
Makes far more sense than joining Star...
...seeing as both of DL's partners in the region are worthless to N.Am transfer traffic; and the new relationship between EK and UA.
Doubt DL would do it without some manner of equity stake though, and I'm not sure how health EY's books are now, as they continue to try to shrink to profitability (or at least, sustainability).
I’m pretty sure only the founding carriers of star alliance have veto rights. NZ was in the first expansion
With all the talk of SpaceX testing starlink with airlines the last few months wouldn’t be surprised if this was an announcement of the services launch
I had a wonderful ride home in July on Etihad B787-9 seat 2K.
I’m hoping for A380 restart. Love my Apartment in Row 4 🙂
Return of flights to LAX - Hollywood references with "things not what they seem" and "constellations" (stars)
This would be a change for me. My home international airport is IAD and I really enjoy seat 2K on flights home. But also cool going any distance in Apartment 4A or 4K 🙂
With ConcordeBoy
Why would ‘for sure’ LH prefer Etihad over Turkey ? Not ‘at all’ apparent to me
It's none of these, peep @zachhonig Instagram
It's a refreshed soft product and new Armani partnership...
It's new Armani service items in business class (plates, silverware, bedding etc). Heh.
They also partner with Air France and KLM, and so that makes sense, however I doubt it’s alliance related.
I'll come back to say it again, it's Starlink. The most recent clue makes it even more clear. "Do as you would a home" means surf the internet, stream content, use your device however you please without the bandwidth caps and latency inherent in geosynchronous satellite systems.
Everyone here literally was trippin.,. The announcement is nothing but partnership with Armani and the elevated business class experience lmao
Your translation of the Italian is literally correct, however, it is a common expression and the real meaning is “Make Yourself Comfortable.” That said, I don’t have a clue about the announcement but whatever it is, it’s probably overblown as most of these teases are.
Star Alliance anyone? EY also has code share and FFP reciprocation with AC who have the same arrangement in place with EK so its been done with a STAR carrier already.
The Founder’s Memorial is actually called The Constellation, so that’s it’s connection with the second clue. Pretty obscure for international audiences.
Perhaps Etihad is going into space!
Given the posted image and recent new partnerships, I’m guessing they will be joining Star Alliance…
"Why would ‘for sure’ LH prefer Etihad over Turkey ?"
BETTER QUESTION: why are you asking me that, when that's not a claim I've made at any point?