Skip to main content

Why I No Longer Trust Etihad: A Personal Travel Experience Compared to Air France



✈️ A Personal Travel Experience: Why I’m Choosing Air France Over Etihad

I usually travel with Air France, my favorite airline, especially for trips to the USA and Canada. Their service has always been consistent, generous, and respectful — even when I had small issues or extra baggage. But on May 26, I was flying to Abu Dhabi, and since it wasn’t a usual destination for me, I booked my flight with Etihad Airways — using my Air France miles through their Flying Blue app.

At the time of booking, Air France provided me with:

  • 25 kg checked baggage

  • One carry-on

  • One personal item

All good so far. But the experience that followed at Cairo Airport (Terminal 2) was something I’ve never encountered in all my years of flying.


😓 The Airport Incident

When I arrived at the Etihad counter, I informed the supervisor, Ms. Sama, that I had extra bags already at the airport. These were staff bags I needed to take with me. However, the bags were locked, and airport personnel told me they could only be opened at my destination.

While the checked bag I had was underweight, Etihad refused to let me take the extra carry-on — even though it was still within the total allowance provided by Air France. Instead, I was told:

“It’s not allowed to go with you on the aircraft since it’s locked, so we must consider it as a checked bag.”
— Ms. Sama, Etihad Supervisor

They insisted I pay for an additional checked bag — even though my main checked bag had empty weight. I explained this calmly, but instead of support, I was rushed and stressed.

She told me:

“You have 30 minutes to pay, or you’ll miss your flight, and your bags will go back to the airport store.”

I can’t describe how shocked and disappointed I felt. I was being pressured to pay or risk losing my belongings and flight. That kind of customer service is unacceptable, especially when you’re already anxious before a trip.


💙 The Air France Difference

In contrast, Air France has always treated me with care:

  • They often accept a few extra kilos without stress or penalty.

  • On multiple flights from Florida and Boston, I had 3–4 kg extra, and they always said:

    “It’s fine — you’re a Silver member. Welcome onboard.”

  • They usually offer to place my carry-on in the hold for free, making the flight more comfortable for me — never charging or rushing me.

This thoughtful, human approach makes a huge difference.

🚫 Final Thoughts: My Advice

After this experience, I strongly advise travelers to avoid Etihad Airways — especially if you're using miles or have non-standard baggage needs. They may not show flexibility, and the treatment can be stressful and dismissive. If you value customer care, dignity, and understanding — choose an airline like Air France, where your loyalty actually means something.

✉️ Feel free to comment below or reach out to me personally if you have questions or want advice. I wish you all smooth travels, free of stress and unnecessary charges.

Safe skies,


Dr. Mahmoud Magdi Elsayed, MD

Neurosurgery Resident and Clinical Research, MME Foundation

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Health Habits That Changed My Life — And Can Change Yours Too

Discover five science-backed health habits that improved my energy, focus, and well-being. Learn how to start small, stay consistent, and find the tools that make it easy. 🧠 Introduction: Why This Matters A few years ago, I was constantly tired, anxious, and out of sync with my body. Despite reading a lot about wellness, I felt overwhelmed and unmotivated. It wasn’t until I started applying small, realistic health habits consistently that I saw a real shift—not only in how I felt physically, but in how I approached life. In this post, I’ll share the five habits that made the biggest difference in my journey—plus practical tools (including some affiliate resources I genuinely recommend) to help you get started today. 1. 🌞 Starting the Day with Light & Movement Getting morning sunlight and moving my body—even for just 10 minutes—reset my energy and mood. It helped improve my sleep and sharpen my focus for the rest of the day. Try this: A short walk after waking up Stretching...
1 comment
Read more

How I Beat Brain Fog Naturally: 7 Daily Habits Backed by Science

Introduction Brain fog used to make my days feel like a blur. Simple tasks took forever, I’d forget names mid-sentence, and my focus vanished by noon. I thought it was stress or just being busy—until I discovered that brain fog is a real health signal, not just “laziness.” In this post, I’ll share the 7 daily habits that helped me regain mental clarity naturally —and how you can try them starting today. Each one is backed by research and simple to integrate into your life. Table of Contents 1. Hydrate First Thing in the Morning 2. Get Sunlight in the First Hour 3. Eat a Protein-Rich Breakfast 4. Do Breathwork or Meditation 5. Take a Midday Movement Break 6. Limit Dopamine Overload 7. Prioritize Deep Sleep 🧠 1. Hydrate First Thing in the Morning Dehydration is one of the fastest ways to dull your brain. I started each day with 500ml of water within 10 minutes of waking up. It made me alert faster than coffee. Affiliate Tip: Try ...
Post a Comment
Read more