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A2A
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Location: BOM
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 Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:08 am Post subject: RTW:Etihad J/F BOM-AUH-JFK/USA Interiors/SQ LAX-SIN-BOM in J |
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Can I interest you guys in a trip report which I just started to write? A couple of months back I wanted to try out Etihad First, and also make a flight on the longest/second-longest route in the world before they went away.
I got a redemption on Etihad for BOM-AUH (Biz) and AUH-JFK (First) on their A346s, and after the USA trip, got to LAX to get on LAX-SIN (Biz) in the second longest flight at present on a SQ all biz A345.
Since I've just begin to write this one, I'll keep updating this as it progresses. Here are parts 1 & 2:
Introduction
Check-in: Celebrations Lounge, Terminal 2, Mumbai (BOM)
Airborne: Flight EY205 (BOM-AUH), Etihad, Pearl Business on A320
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Last edited by A2A on Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:31 am; edited 3 times in total |
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jbalonso777
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| Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:51 am Post subject: |
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This looks like a delicious Trip Report 
However, with the start in the Celebrations lounge you have described, you may not have had the best starts to a trip 
Looking forward to all the flights and the rest of the TR!
Regards
Jish
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sumantra
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| Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 8:10 am Post subject: Re: BOM-JFK via AUH on Etihad F (Updated to add EY BOM-AUH, |
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| A2A wrote: | | Can I interest you guys in a trip report which I just started to write? |
Are you joking, AJ? You write very well, your pieces are a pleasure to read.
Thanks for updating us with the insides of the Celebrations lounge, one that I have seen from the outside alone. This is at least at a fairly prominent area, unlike some which are behind the duty free shops. I guess this is only temporary, given that the new terminal is to come up soon. The lounge experience did not sound too nice - I have once stayed at Celebrations Navi Mumbai, the hotel was superb, though. The Wife and Junior (`TW' and `Jr', as usual) liked it, too. This was not something that I can afford all on my own - I was on official business, with TW and Jr on redemption tickets.
It is nice that Etihad treated you well - the food and amenities look great. I am a bit surprised about the gate - isn't this supposed to be a wide-body gate? I've boarded a 77W from here. For a remotely parked aircraft, I would imagine BOM using a ground floor gate, for instance.
The flat tyre+brake incident reminded me of one in ORD, where an AA767 had gone tech due to an engine issue, and the mx gone to fix it ended up red-faced with a spanner which got stuck inside and was not retrievable, so they had to search for a new aircraft. The boos reverberated across the terminal as this was all announced over the PA system!
As before, I request you to put a new post concerning the updates to the report, else an edit may not bring the updates to light easily. This results in a new post indication, and an email, which bodes well for lazy people like me, who do not check a progressive TR for edits.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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A2A
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| Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:17 am Post subject: Re: BOM-JFK via AUH on Etihad F (Updated to add EY BOM-AUH, |
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| sumantra wrote: | | A2A wrote: | | Can I interest you guys in a trip report which I just started to write? |
Are you joking, AJ? You write very well, your pieces are a pleasure to read.
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Thanks for the appreciation as always my friend.
| sumantra wrote: |
Thanks for updating us with the insides of the Celebrations lounge, one that I have seen from the outside alone. This is at least at a fairly prominent area, unlike some which are behind the duty free shops. I guess this is only temporary, given that the new terminal is to come up soon. The lounge experience did not sound too nice - I have once stayed at Celebrations Navi Mumbai, the hotel was superb, though. The Wife and Junior (`TW' and `Jr', as usual) liked it, too. This was not something that I can afford all on my own - I was on official business, with TW and Jr on redemption tickets.
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I think this is the way this lounge has been for the longest time. The sooner they shut down the happier I will be. I already escalated to Etihad about their sorry state.
| sumantra wrote: |
It is nice that Etihad treated you well - the food and amenities look great. I am a bit surprised about the gate - isn't this supposed to be a wide-body gate? I've boarded a 77W from here. For a remotely parked aircraft, I would imagine BOM using a ground floor gate, for instance.
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I'm assuming this is the regular gate for this flight and hence the choice of lounge next door.
| sumantra wrote: |
As before, I request you to put a new post concerning the updates to the report, else an edit may not bring the updates to light easily. This results in a new post indication, and an email, which bodes well for lazy people like me, who do not check a progressive TR for edits.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
Consider it done. I modified the title accordingly!
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sumantra
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| Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:24 am Post subject: Re: BOM-JFK via AUH on Etihad F (Updated to add EY BOM-AUH, |
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| A2A wrote: | | Consider it done. I modified the title accordingly! |
Wow, this is even better! I had only requested you to put in pointers to the next instalments of the same trip to the same topic, without editing the original post (editing does not generate a `new post' signal, or an email - however, a new post does). What you have done is even better. Thank you, and don't we look forward to more?
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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A2A
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| Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:30 am Post subject: Re: BOM-JFK via AUH on Etihad F (Updated to add EY BOM-AUH, |
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| sumantra wrote: | | A2A wrote: | | Consider it done. I modified the title accordingly! |
Wow, this is even better! I had only requested you to put in pointers to the next instalments of the same trip to the same topic, without editing the original post (editing does not generate a `new post' signal, or an email - however, a new post does). What you have done is even better. Thank you, and don't we look forward to more?
Cheers, Sumantra. |
My bad My bad. Now I get it. I'll flip it back and Add in a new post! I am not a big fan of new threads.
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abhijith16
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| Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Nice TR so far!
EY's A320s are superb. Their cabin crew are excellent. Miles ahead of EK. I'm their biggest fan!  
Nice to see they've treated you well. Hopefully the onward flight will be the same..
I agree with your cribbing against the timings. 4 AM is the most ungodly hour you can depart. They should add a 10pm departure at least.
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A2A
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sumantra
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| Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 12:11 am Post subject: Re: Abu Dhabi EY T3 First Class Lounge |
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| A2A wrote: | | Here we go with the next episode:Going RTW: Etihad First Class Lounge, Abu Dhabi Terminal 3 |
AJ, thanks for a nice peek inside places which I will never be able to visit! The F lounge looks nice, and the F&B pictures and associated descriptions, make me hungry at 12:15 am at Jabalpur, where I have come for some work. Unfortunately, I cannot indulge myself right now, in what I always love to!
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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A2A
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| Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: Abu Dhabi EY T3 First Class Lounge |
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| sumantra wrote: | | A2A wrote: | | Here we go with the next episode:Going RTW: Etihad First Class Lounge, Abu Dhabi Terminal 3 |
AJ, thanks for a nice peek inside places which I will never be able to visit! The F lounge looks nice, and the F&B pictures and associated descriptions, make me hungry at 12:15 am at Jabalpur, where I have come for some work. Unfortunately, I cannot indulge myself right now, in what I always love to!
Cheers, Sumantra. |
never say never 
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Nimish
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| Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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Nice TR - waiting for the remaining parts! Redemption on American carriers for J/ F seats is such a joy (and so cheap) - definitely a key reason to keep earning on American carriers programs.
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A2A
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| Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:47 pm Post subject: Abu Dhabi - JFK In Etihad F on the A340-600 |
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I thought I posted this last night, but I don't see anything. My bad!
Here is the link for the next episode. one great flight. invite your comments on the report (here as well as on the page of the report!)
Etihad First
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abhijith16
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| Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: Abu Dhabi - JFK In Etihad F on the A340-600 |
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| A2A wrote: | I thought I posted this last night, but I don't see anything. My bad!
Here is the link for the next episode. one great flight. invite your comments on the report (here as well as on the page of the report!)
Etihad First
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Love it! Love it! Love it!
Awesome black lavs! They look cool!
Etihad hits all the boxes for food, even for a 1 hour flight!
Love that tomato mozzarella bread! It sounds delicious!
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jbalonso777
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| Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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A bit surprised to know that you took two hours to get through immigration! But well I think that is standard pretty much everywhere today. DXB once took me nearly 3 hours!
I liked this part of the segment, Bridget being surprised about you being Indian is quite a surprise. 
I look forward to the rest of the parts ^_^
Regards
Jish
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Nimish
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| Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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Wow - those lavs look truly incredible - kind of like in a funky club! Kudos to EY for something innovative and unique (never seen those on any other airline).
The hardware/ software seems pretty good. I actually am not surprised by the FA's comments, even today a lot of the folks flying either revenue or FFP F are from overseas - at least in my opinion. J has a lot of Indian origin pax these days, but F is not too common (unless it's freeloaders on our beloved National carrier).
The queues at immigration at the US were truly horrible this summer, I wonder if they've reduced now?
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A2A
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| Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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| jbalonso777 wrote: | A bit surprised to know that you took two hours to get through immigration! But well I think that is standard pretty much everywhere today. DXB once took me nearly 3 hours!
I liked this part of the segment, Bridget being surprised about you being Indian is quite a surprise.
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Thanks Jish.
This summer the sequester cuts (I hope i spelt it right) were hitting USA for a few months before they managed to undo the harm. so 2-3 hours was standard for aliens.
As for Bridget being surprised, well, I think they're used to westerners frequenting the front cabin and not the easterners. they'll get used to it!
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sumantra
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| Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 5:46 am Post subject: |
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AJ, apologies for the very late reply - I am normally not that late in this section, at least! Thanks for a really compelling read. One characteristic of your writing is the completely soft and relaxed style, and the nice choice of words. Your pictures complemented your descriptions neatly. EY scores quite high on your list, and understandably so.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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A2A
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sumantra
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| Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: Holiday Inn LaGuardia NYC |
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| A2A wrote: | | Back on the TR after a break. There are so many to write i am lost Do comment when you have the time! |
Nice descriptions of the hotel. I usually end up taking el cheapo accommodation on foreign trips (our official reimbursement rates are often a pittance). Your experience for the airport shuttle reeks of a typical American attitude - I am glad you had your way.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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A2A
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sumantra
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| Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:12 pm Post subject: Re: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge LaGuardia |
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| A2A wrote: | | Next episode: short one |
Nice airside pictures of the airport waking up, and a sleepy lounge.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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sri_bom
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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Nice Trip Report and thanks for sharing.
The celebrations lounge in Bombay was a mess after seeing those pictures I fathom if I ever want to eat anything there.
I dunno why carriers want to subject their premium customers on overcrowded buses. Same problem with Jet Airways as well wherein their business class and economy class are all bussed together.
The food on BOM-AUH looks good and I like the fact that for the towels there was a small tray given, unlike other airlines where you end up holding it till it is cleared.
The lounge in AUH for First Class is quite nice both food and shower area look great. The Turkish coffee looks invigorating as well. Nice idea to get a quick massage before your long flight.
The entire first class experience on Ethiad was very detailed and nice just felt like I was being pampered on the flight. Very nice detailed report. I am very impressed by the hard product of Ethiad and the quality hope I get to do first class some day as I have never done that. |
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A2A
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sumantra
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| Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 4:29 am Post subject: Re: United 757-200 First Class NYC to Denver |
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| A2A wrote: | | Await your comments |
There is a minor typographical error in the arrival time having been typed in as `PM' in place of `AM'. On the content, is this the `new' food offering in the domestic first (a.k.a. Business class) on United? The portions look poor, as compared to a breakfast in Economy class on Air India, for instance, on a flight of a much shorter duration. Or a BoB on a SpiceJet flight - though I haven't flown then since March, which was before the slide started on the airline. Were the Bloody Marys on the house? What about refills on other non-alcoholic beverages? United's seat, no IFE, and the whole hog looks quite poor - how much time will it be before they get a consistent product in J?
Nice report, look forward to the next part.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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A2A
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| Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 7:35 am Post subject: Re: United 757-200 First Class NYC to Denver |
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| sumantra wrote: | | A2A wrote: | | Await your comments |
There is a minor typographical error in the arrival time having been typed in as `PM' in place of `AM'. On the content, is this the `new' food offering in the domestic first (a.k.a. Business class) on United? The portions look poor, as compared to a breakfast in Economy class on Air India, for instance, on a flight of a much shorter duration. Or a BoB on a SpiceJet flight - though I haven't flown then since March, which was before the slide started on the airline. Were the Bloody Marys on the house? What about refills on other non-alcoholic beverages? United's seat, no IFE, and the whole hog looks quite poor - how much time will it be before they get a consistent product in J?
Nice report, look forward to the next part.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
Hi Sumantra,
thanks for pointing that out. I fixed it. Don't compare it with Air India or Jet Airways. That you get that much is enough as compared to BoB on the back of the plane. US legacy airlines started withdrawing meals way before Indian airlines even thought about it.
bloody marys were on the house for the first class yes, in the economy section you got to buy it. non-alcoholic beverages, they did 2 rounds of drink service. all US legacies give free fizzies and peanuts at the economy section.
Hope I answered most of your queries. the last bit, even i don't know 
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sumantra
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| Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 7:50 am Post subject: Re: United 757-200 First Class NYC to Denver |
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| A2A wrote: | | That you get that much is enough as compared to BoB on the back of the plane. US legacy airlines started withdrawing meals way before Indian airlines even thought about it. |
Yes, I know that, and was lamenting about that fact - that even on J, you do not get a decent meal.
| A2A wrote: | | bloody marys were on the house for the first class yes, in the economy section you got to buy it. non-alcoholic beverages, they did 2 rounds of drink service. all US legacies give free fizzies and peanuts at the economy section. |
It is nice to know about the alcoholic drinks part, in J - something that I do not know much about. On the other hand - come on - no, they do not give peanuts all the time, too - literally, I mean. I have flown on enough airlines in the US domestically to know this. I have flown NorthWest Orient (when at least snacks were there in Coach, in the 1970s), and the rest, in the mid 2000s: NorthWest, Continental, United, Delta and American, and even circa 2005, NW offered only a beverage for a coast-to-cost trip - nothing solid. Ditto for Continental, albeit on a short DCA-EWR hop. Ditto for United, in 2007, for instance, for ORD-MSP and vice versa. I got something solid (biscuits/pretzels) on Delta, in 2008. I haven't flown US Airways as yet (and do not look forward to doing so, either), Virgin America, JetBlue, and SouthWest - I may get a chance to fly the latter this year, which I look forward to. Do you want to know details of the above flights?
2005:
Set out Jun 21 (Tue) for San Diego, California
Reach Jun 21 (Tue)
E-Ticket #0121200939233, NWA Confirmation #34V7M9
NW1133: NorthWest Airlines (B757)
Baltimore (BWI) - Detroit Metro (DTW)
[06:20 am - 07:53 am] {01:33}
NW273: NorthWest Airlines (B757)
Detroit Metro (DTW) - San Deigo Intl (SAN)
[09:27 am - 11:01 am] {04:34}
Set out Jun 28 (Tue) for Maryland
Reach Jun 29 (Wed)
NW274: NorthWest Airlines (A320)
San Diego Intl (SAN) - Detroit Metro (DTW)
[10:20 pm - 05:36 am] {04:16} (Wed Jun 29)
NW1134: NorthWest Airlines (B757)
Detroit Metro (DTW) - Baltimore (BWI)
[06:55 am - 08:23 am] {01:28} (Wed Jun 29)
2007:
Jun 18 (Mon)
US 6825: U.S. Airways (B737-300) [Operated by United UA 771]
Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) Terminal 1 -
Minneapolis St. Paul Intl (MSP) Lindbergh Terminal
[06:05 pm - 07:34 pm] {01:29}
Jun 22 (Fri)
UA 540: United Airlines (B757-200)
Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP) Lindbergh Terminal -
Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) Terminal 1
[03:25 pm - 04:55 pm] {01:30}
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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stealthpilot
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| Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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Wow it took me a while to go thru this ..... thanks a lot for the TR (altho i admit i spent most of my energy on the AUH-JFK bit)
Great mix of pictures and descriptions
340-600 you lucky lucky!!!!!!! instant jealously!!
Do other airlines offer complementary wifi to their F pax?
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A2A
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| Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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| stealthpilot wrote: | Wow it took me a while to go thru this ..... thanks a lot for the TR (altho i admit i spent most of my energy on the AUH-JFK bit)
Great mix of pictures and descriptions
340-600 you lucky lucky!!!!!!! instant jealously!!
Do other airlines offer complementary wifi to their F pax? |
Turkish offers it across the board I think.
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