How to choose your airline

There are so many airlines nowadays that are all competing for your business and each one offers different products and services from booking to baggage collection, so how do you decide which airline to fly with? By shopping around for both prices, and airline reviews.

Whether it’s economy class or first class that you are planning to travel, it’s always a great idea to have a look around at prices to your destination. Speak with your local travel agent as well as having a look at the various flight booking engines online, such as Expedia, Opodo and ebookers.com. This will mean that you have more of a chance for getting the best deal. Many prices will be quite similar but some do offer the ability to search for dates around your ideal dates to see if you can get a cheaper fare when you are flexible with dates.

So when you have found a couple of possible options, the next thing to do is decide which airline to fly with. If you are already a frequent flyer or you have flown a number of times before, you will no doubt have your own opinions and preferences on airlines. You may have enjoyed wonderful service on board Singapore Airlines or enjoyed the food available on Etihad Airways, however, if you are faced with an airline that you have never heard of before or are unsure what they are like, it’s worth looking online for some airline reviews. This is a great example of Etihad reviews to keep an eye out for. The gentleman is a regular traveler as you will see from many of his other posts but he enjoyed his experience on Etihad Airways.

At the same time, it is also worth speaking with friend, family and colleagues about who they have flown with previously. Again, they may have had a great experience with one airline whilst had a terrible experience with another. The one thing you do have to keep in mind though is that all airlines are different and people will have all different kinds of experiences with the airline. Some people just love complaining whilst others understand the difficulties that can arise for an airline. Keep an open mind and an open eye for other people’s experiences but what it really comes down to is you. You’ll only get your own experience and opinion of an airline when you try it for yourself.

Why Etihad?

So Etihad earlier this year launched their Why campaign. Just eight years old but one of the world’s fastest growing airline, more people have switched to Etihad than any other airline.

Why?

Excellent service, fantastic product and a growing list of destinations has helped to get Etihad to where they are today, having won a number of awards from World’s Leading Airline in the World Travel Awards to Best First Class product. Their first class suites have been leading the way in luxury travel, designed to give maximum privacy onboard. Fine dining created by on board chefs have also many introduced on many long haul routes. Both Pearl Business and Diamond First classes also offer an all day kitchen, with Arabic mezzes to steak sandwiches, all to be enjoyed on demand at any part of your flight.

All long haul flights also offer lie flat beds in business class, a bonus when travelling overnight and you want to feel refreshed the next day. The airlines entertainment system, the E-box, also provides over 600 hours of on demand entertainment to every customer, no matter which class you are seated in.

The lounge at Abu Dhabi airport also provides a haven away from the rest of the passengers transiting Abu Dhabi and even offers a spa service with six mini treatments to enjoy during your wait between flights. A new midfield terminal, due to be completed by 2017 will also provide a modern connecting terminal for all passengers with this rapidly growing airline.

You can find numerous Etihad reviews online but why do you like to travel with Etihad?

Etihad Reviews - A four star airline

There are a number of four-star rated airlines in the world, offering excellent service, tasty food and personal entertainment, all at 30,000ft. The Etihad reviews received but its auditing team shows how Etihad Airways has become one of these airlines who Skytrax has awarded four-stars to.

For the past three years, Etihad has also received a range of awards including World’s Leading Airline three years running in the World Travel Awards. It is still a relatively young airline in the industry compared to some of its larger competitors, however, Etihad has grown from strength to strength and has even been given the title as the world’s fastest growing airline. Not an easy feat in this day and age.

Image courtesy of Etihad Airways

Excellent service in each of its First, Business and Economy classes allows an enjoyable onboard experience, added to 600+ hours of on demand entertainment plus delicious food means your flight will be over before you realise. Business and First Class passengers also have the option of ‘anytime’ dining, with dishes such as steak sandwiches and mezzes on offer.

Being such a young airline, Etihad can also boast having one of the youngest fleets in the world and with both Boeing 787 and Airbus A380s on order, the constant expansion of routes to each of the continents will certainly be catered for.

Constantly looking at ways to improve, it surprises me that the Etihad reviews were only rated at four-star and not five-star but when it comes down to it, it’s all a personal opinion.

Destination Travel - With Airline Reviews

From airline reviews to activity bookings, Destination Travel is a site to keep your eye on.

This travel dedicated website, with many airline reviews, including Virgin and Etihad reviews, and a host of other important travel related information offers travellers a guide to how to travel and what to do when they get there, with prices in sterling, US and Australian dollars and the Euro.

Take a look at their hot air balloon excursion ideas or sky-diving or if that seems a little too extreme for you, why not take a look at their concert and theatre show ideas. If you are in the UK or abroad, these suggestions will be sure to keep you occupied.

A range of hotel options are also available on the site, ranging from Accor, Starwood and even Hostelworld for those on a budget. There are also a number of links to various transport websites, such as RailEurope, Amtrak, Global Coach Tours and Cunard Cruises.

Airline reviews are also available for numerous airlines, including budget airlines such as easyJet to the Etihad reviews who offer personal suites in their first class cabins.

For those who can’t afford the upgrade, however, there is a great article on how to get yourself an upgrade for free. It’s very unlikely in this day and age to get upgrades but they are possible and these tips will give you a slight advantage over your competing fellow passengers.

Manchester - A quick review

Manchester is arguably one of the best cities in the UK and with a busy international airport and two mainline train terminals, it’s also is to get to and experience.

From the hustle and bustle of Market Street to the relaxing waterways around Castlefield, there’s something for everyone. First stop is the city’s shopping area of Market Street with the huge Arndale Centre, full of the latest fashions, jewelry and electronics. Across the road you’ll find the Triangle and it’s giant outdoor screen, showing the latest sports and events for passersby. Walking past Selfridges and Harvey Nichols brings you to the Corn Exchange and King Street. If all this shopping gets too much, why not head to one of the city’s many canal side bars at Deansgate Locks or Canal Street. This is where the city comes to life at night with various clubs in the area too.

No trip to Manchester should be without a visit to Old Trafford, site of the legendary Manchester United team. Tours should be pre-booked although you can still go and visit the shop if a tour isn’t for you. While in the area, wander across to Salford Quays and Media City. An up and coming area in the Greater Manchester area, Salford Quays has become a popular residential area with local celebrities. Salford Quays shopping centre is also located here if you can’t get enough shopping but for the culture vultures, the Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry Centre (a performing arts centre in memory of LS Lowry) are also here to enjoy.

Flights to Manchester come from all over the world, including Singapore, New York and Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways). Etihad are now the official sponsor of Manchester City Football Club, rival to Man Utd and have renamed their stadium to the Etihad Stadium, located in the East of the City. Etihad have been awarded the world’s best airline but for more information, check out the Etihad reviews.

Transport links to the airport are by train although a new tram link to the city is underway. The city also boasts three bus routes, complimentary to residents and visitors that take you to various areas of the inner city.

For children, the Museum of Discovery and Science, close to Deansgate is a great option with interactive activities as well as learning about the history of Manchester.

Etihad - Leading the way

Etihad Airways has been awarded, for the third year running, the world’s leading airline and in the 2012 awards won the award for Middle East's leading airline.

Whether it’s the 5-star experience, tasty cuisine or simply a great product, Etihad Airways truly offers something for everybody. No doubt you will have read many Etihad reviews and come across some wonderful experiences, but with a dedicated Etihad Guest team for any difficulties you may have, the airline certainly know how to treat their staff.

The award winning airline has also become the world’s fastest growing airline, proving that people are flying with them for a reason.

From their hub in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad fly to numerous worldwide destinations, and from next year, their first South American destination with flights to Sao Paulo.

Started in 2003, the airline is still relatively young compared to its main competitors but Etihad is growing strong and is dedicated to helping protect the environment. From water saving programmes in the workplace to install new Sharklet wingtips on its Airbus A320s, Eithad Airways is dedicated to protecting its future and the environment.

Image courtesy of http://www.etihad.com/