As promised at the start of the year, SimpliFlying will be bringing you a new section with video trip reports – mostly shot at 35,000 feet. Because the best assessment of an airline brand can only be done during the Brand eXecution! Here’s the first of such reports. In this 3 min video trip report, I share my experience on-board one of Etihad Airways‘ brand new Airbus A320 planes. This was a flight from Athens, Greece to New Delhi, India, via Abu Dhabi. Three things stood out about Etihad: 1) They greet you by name and talk to you personally2) The planes smell of the desert!3) Their transit lounge for Business Class in Abu Dhabi offers free spa treatments! My rating for the flight is 4.5 out of 5. njoy the 3 min video trip report (Click here if you can’t watch the video) If you haven’t flown Etihad Airways before, I’d encourage you to give it a shot – they’re one of …

The InsideFlyer magazine published an article entitled “The FFPs of the Middle East” last September. Though on the face of it, the article compares the various FFPs among the leading airlines there, upon closer look, you also discover the nuances that enhance brand value for the customers of these airlines. As proven by the large number of airlines from the Middle East winning the Freddies earlier this year, there are surely lessons for grabs here.

Catering services specifically to customers’ needs ensures loyalty
The region is flush with oil revenues, and more rich Arabs are taking to the skies – flying business class and first class. Airlines in the region pamper this key segment of their customers. Etihad Airways just opened a plush business class lounge at Abu Dhabi airport and offers limousine pick-ups, like Emirates. Emirates is also the first airline to introduce showers on-board its new A380 first class cabin. Qatar Airways has gourmet meals catered to suit their frequent flyers. It is no wonder that programs like Emirates Skywards reports that the program’s current rate of growth is just over …

It would have been nice if they had kept their red and green colors, which represent the national flag, and may be re-designed the khanjar to look more appealing.