WITH A successful
track record in
Thailand following
the launch of a daily
service to Bangkok a
decade ago, Etihad is
now introducing flights to
Phuket.
The new daily service
between Abu Dhabi and
the Thai island commences
on October 26, using
a two-class A330-200
aircraft. The aircraft offers
22 business class (Pearl)
seats and 240 seats in
economy or Coral class.
The flight will depart Abu
Dhabi at 08h45, arriving
in Phuket at 18h00. The
return departs Phuket
at 20h25, arriving in
Abu Dhabi at 00h25 the
following day.
Xenia Adamou, gm
for South Africa, says
the schedule has been
optimised so that three
times per week, travellers
from Johannesburg connect
with flights to Phuket within
two hours of arrival in
Abu Dhabi. “On the return
leg, guests travelling from
Phuket can connect with
their flights to South Africa,
with only a two-hour transit
time, four times per week,”
she says.
Xenia says the route
caters mostly for leisure
travellers. “Thailand as a
destination is incredibly
appealing to the South
African market. Phuket
has grown in popularity
and today is one of the
top leisure destinations
for holidaymakers from
South Africa and the
rest of the world. Many
South Africans, for whom
Mauritius has always
been the quintessential
holiday destination, are
increasingly open to other
adventurous locations,
such as Phuket.
“They are looking for
new places to explore
and our direct flights to
Phuket provide greater
convenience for travellers
who prefer to go straight
to the beach destination,
without passing through
the busy city of Bangkok,”
she says.
Phuket is Etihad’s
seventh destination in
South East Asia, alongside
Bangkok, Singapore,
Manila, Kuala Lumpur,
Ho Chi Minh City and
Jakarta. When announcing
the new route, James
Hogan, president and ceo
of Etihad Airways, said:
“Bangkok has ranked as
our most popular route for
the past four years, with
742 759 passengers flown
in 2013 alone.” Etihad now
operates three flights per
day to the Thai capital.
While there are other
airlines offering flights
to Thailand from South
Africa, including a non-stop
flight to Bangkok, Xenia
says there are a number
of reasons SA travellers
should consider booking
with Etihad with its wide
range of services.
She highlights two recent
developments – on-board
flying nannies who assist
passengers with children,
and a chauffeur service.
The complimentary Eithad
Chauffeur limousine
service, provides premium
class passengers with a
door-to-door transfer.
Perks for premium travellers
Passengers travelling in
Etihad’s Pearl (business)
class can expect the
following services:
Business class seat:
A fully flat bed, which
features a 208cm seat
pitch with reclining
function, adjustable
headrest, footrest and
lumbar support. The
seats are enclosed in
a privacy shell and the
cabin’s 1-2-1 configuration
provides all passengers
with direct aisle access.
In-flight dining: Etihad
has dedicated food and
beverage managers.
In-flight entertainment:
Etihad provides a choice
of more than 650
hours of on-demand
entertainment.
Premium class lounges:
In Abu Dhabi the airline
has lounges offering
complimentary Six
Senses spa treatments,
a la carte dining, gourmet
buffets, luxury shower
rooms, business centres,
ironing services and
more.
