Royal Jordanian/Qantas vs Etihad to Jordan

Can anyone comment on Royal Jordanian? They have a good fare from Australia with Qantas to Asia and onwards on Royal Jordanian. The travel agent i asked reckon she had heard bad things, but the website looks good. she offered a similar priced Etihad fare.

In reality i'll probably still fly Royal Jordanian/Qantas as i'm a Qantas Frequent Flyer, I suspect she gets a better commission from Etihad whose fare was about $10 more.

Also is late April (after Easter) to early May a good time to visit? From what i've read it seems to be ok. I plan to spend 14 days so it should not be a rush and so far plan to visit the more common sites like Jerash, Mt Nebo, Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi rum, i'm not planning to spend much time in Aqaba (We have plenty of beaches in Australia).

RJ are fine. They've recently been privatized, which has helped things a lot from the bad old days - on their Europe-Amman routes nowadays (things might be different on their Asia-Amman routes), planes are modern, interiors are new, everything works, service is European-standard, etc.

Etihad, though, it must be said, are excellent - but then again there's that quality difference between Europe-Abu Dhabi and Asia-Abu Dhabi services. Flying Etihad might also mean an extra stopover in Abu Dhabi. RJ fly nonstop to Amman from Bangkok, KL and a couple of other places.

RJ are simple and basic. They aren't great with service or bookings but it is passable especially if you just call the office in Amman directly. I have flown the BKK-AMM on RJ before and it was comfortable, but there is no personal IFE and the seats are a little squashed. But overall I was impressed because it was a well priced ticket.

I have flown with them twice and was totally satisfied with their services. On time, polite, helpful, decent food.

Thanks. Both airlines require a stop from Australia. I'd like to have a stopover. Actually that is probably a better question as quality wise i've flown in some dodgy planes in Africa and the Americas.

The thing is do I stop in Abu Dhabi or do I stop in Hong Kong, Bangkok or Mumbai? Is Abu Dhabi worth a few days?

Or a week in Abu Dhabi and maybe go visit Muscat in Oman for a few days as well If thats possible.

Edited by: Justin23

Abu Dhabi's fine for a couple of days if you've not been to the Middle East before, but if you can spare more time and go to Muscat that would be by far the better option.

I hate to say it, but as a stop-over destination, Abu Dhabi sucks. Big time.

Any of the RJ stops would be a better bet.

But, if you are free to take a week or more, then I agree with Vicky - a week in Oman would be great.

So really it would come down to whether you'd rather have a frenetic bustling city as a stopover with RJ, or a much more chilled and relaxed time in Muscat / Oman with Etihad.
Costwise, Oman or the UAE would probably be by far the most expensive option.

I've flown both RJ and Etihad. Etihad I hated!!! I think I just got them at a bad time. Apparently they were upgrading their entertainment systems so we had NO entertainment (not even radio) from AD to BKK!!!! and again AD to LDN!!! I was not happy. In apologising they said it was because they were upgrading for our future but its not like most people do the flight regularly enough to be - oh thats ok then. They also took forever to get the lights off/settle the plane down on night flights. It was 3 hours after take off (which had been about 10pm I think - but can't remember) - before the lights were off (every other long haul flight its been about 1 hour - even if they take your trays in the dipped lights). I just felt so trapped, bored and frustrated the whole time. The food was great and there were echoes of a great service to come but I was not happy!

The main thing I guess is both have a good safety record!

Genghis!! Abu Dhabi does not suck big time. It's a cool, hip, happening place.
Well ok, perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration, but surely the OP could spend a couple of happy days in AD without too much difficulty...?

I have flown RJ (December 1992/January 1993) and Etihad (December 2007/January 2008) I can't comment on the lack of entertainment that #7 experienced with RJ since I don't use ANY inflight entertainment system on ANY airline however both airlines were safe and comfortable fights with excellent cabin service. When I flew RJ, the partner was Singapore Airlines so I had an aircraft transfer in Singapore and there were no issues. My flights with Etihad involved a flight delay and transfer in Abu Dhabi. I opted for a stopover at the Abu Dhabi Transit Hotel and Etihad were excellent in organising this. Since I only wanted a bed and a shower I can't comment on the options of AD as a stopover destination.

Thanks for the tips. I ended up booking a flight with Qantas/RJ via BKK for late April Early May.

It ended up a few hundred cheaper than Etihad (although a month later Etihad was cheaper).
Emirates was the most expensive. Gulf Air had some decent pricing but high taxes which made them more expensive. Some of the Arab airlines include fuel charges in their pricing and others don't.

Anyway I end up with 15 days in Jordan which should be a reasonable time and 5 days in Bangkok (Never been there before, but have been to other parts of Asia).

Now I need to look up places to stay and a rough itinerary.

Hi Justin,

I too am having a stop over in Jordan although only for a week - here is an example of my itinerary:

Monday 16th
Arrive Amman - Queen Alia Airport 4:00AM
Bus from Madaba (or airport) to Petra via kings hwy stopping at Wadi Mujeb and karak
Stay in Petra

Tuesday 17th
Visit Petra
Stay in Petra

Wednesday 18th
Visit Petra
Stay in Petra

Thursday 19th
Early bus to Wadi Rum and tour during the day sleep in desert at night

Friday 20th
Early bus to Aqaba
Tour Aqaba
Late bus to Amman

Saturday 21st
Early morning to Jerash
Spend rest of the day in Amman
Stay in Amman

Sunday 22nd
Amman to Madaba
Mount Nebo
Dead Sea
Stay in Madaba

Monday 23rd
Madaba to Amman airport

Go to: http://www.jordanjubilee.com/ it has a lot of information!

Cheers

Hey Vicky.
As a place to live, I'm not knocking Abu Dhabi (although I still wouldnt describe it as "hip"), but for a stopover ?

I know that, for me, if I had never been there before, pretty much all thats available in a two day stopover would be a depressingly westernised experience. I'd be wanting to see souks and old style buildings and alleyways, and that doesnt exist any more. I bet most people who do an Abu Dhabi stopover end up in one of the malls.

In fairness, I dont think Dubai is a great stopover either, but there is at least a little more in the way of obvious "cultural attractions" if you want to find them.

The problem with going overseas on Qantas is that your holiday doesnt really start until you change planes.

Until then your travel companians are likely to be ordinary Australians going 'home' to UK instead of interesting people going to interesting places.........

Hi Genghis - I was joking with the 'hip' comment!
I agree completely that AD has become far too westernised and if someone came here expecting 'old Arabia' they would be disappointed, but I still think that for someone who has never been to the ME before (though I'm not sure if that applies to our OP) two days spent visiting the cultural foundation, Sheik Zayed mosque, Emirates Palace, the heritage village, eating a schwarma at Lebanese Flower etc etc wouldn't be a waste of time. I'm not saying there aren't better places to go but I honestly don't think that AD sucks! Anyway, let's face it, even as you typed that comment you must have known that I wouldn't let something like that pass me by!!

You're right - I was expecting you to leap to AUH's defence. Must have been in a provocative mood...
I'd say you've just defended it pretty well.

I'd forgotten that the Emirates Palace is well worth a gawp at, and you have reminded me that I havent been anywhere near SZ mosque for at least 4 years. I've assumed that non-muslims arent allowed inside, but is it worth a visit anyway ?

Non-Muslims can look around freely between 9-11am Sun-Thurs. If you want a (free!) guided tour arrive at 8.45am. Will look even more beautiful when the landscaping outside is finished. And take some sunglasses - all that Carrera (sp?) marble is blinding!

I agree that the marble really hurts the eyes. SZ mosque is quite a sight - interesting to see just how flowery-kitsch they've made it inside. It's like big, fancy hotel lobbies used to be in that part of the world before Asian minimalism and Western blandness caught on. Kind of funny (in a nice way).

I think if anyone goes to the Gulf expecting 'Old Arabia', with Damascus-style souks and Jerusalem-style atmosphere, then they deserve all the (disappointment) they get... Personally I thought AUH was fascinating - it takes only the tiniest bit of independent spirit to access a bit of Bangladeshi and/or Pakistani life behind Hamdan Street, or hang out with the fishermen over by the port, or just dig a little into local life. Top recommendation for a one/two-day stopover, though, is to go to Al-Ain - walk in the oasis, get a flavour of the old days with the forts/palaces etc (and understand a bit more about the veneration of SZ while doing it), eat Indian to die for, get into the desert, hang out at the Green Mubazzarah (more local life) - etc etc etc. And that's not even talking about Liwa, which is a whole other world. I was only in AUH for 7 days or so - hip it ain't, but fascinating it certainly is. And although I went into the malls and the Emirates Palace, it was more for curiosity value than because I felt like there was nothing else to do. There's plenty more to do.

On that score Dubai sucks, IMHO! ;-)

Ruffgyder - we are obviously kindred spirits!
BTW, it might be Saturday - Thursdays that you can do the mosque tour. Check on the ADTA website if you want to confirm.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?messageID=14931100&#14931100
Who the hell is justinlee??? Even I can't big up AD as much as that!!

He he he.

See thats the kind of stuff that would have me running a mile before visiting Abu Dhabi if I were a potential tourist. There is absolutely nothing in that list which is in anyway peculiar to or particular to Abu Dhabi, and I would rather eat my own feet than spend a day snorting traffic fumes while gazing up at yet another concrete tower.

Back to Ruffgyders comments at #17. I agree with you that anyone expecting Damascus style souks etc deserves their disappointments, but I guess I'm coming from a perspective of knowing Abu Dhabi pretty well back in the mid 90s when you still spend a full day haggling in the old souk, and wandering through the old boatyards, and pavement life was infinitely more accessible than it is now. Basically, the government is ashamed of all the aspects of AUH which make it fascinating to people like you, and have done their best to eliminate / hide / disguise it. Which is what makes me think it would be hard for the average stopover candidate to find it.

Ooh. Just realised I wasnt very clear there. The first paragraph of my post #20 is referring to the link that Vicky posted in #19.

Yes, it was the "Also a simply stroll through the city will be amazing to the whole family" that did it for me. Fantastic use of English as well!!

And yes, AD is well and truly sanitised now. Nothing much of any 'character' (by which I mean old and/or shabby) remains. The removal of the Bateen boatyard was the final straw really.

#20 you're right. The key in what you say is "the government have done their best to eliminate it". Trouble is, governments are rubbish at that, the world over: "their best" is invariably crude and full of ways to circumvent it. They haven't succeeded in AUH either, which makes the hunt even more absorbing.

#22 - don't mistake character for age or shabbiness. Irbid, Homs, Giza, etc are old & shabby but, er, somewhat lacking in character (to be generous). Muharraq, Jeddah, Tripoli etc (like AUH) are old & characterful, but not especially shabby. And, to continue the theme, Sohar, Tartous, Liwa etc are shabby & characterful, but not that old (even if they stand on old foundations).

Fair enough ruff, but I'm sure you get what I'm on about with respect to AD - as soon as something gets a bit shabby (ie the old souk) they pull it down and replace it with yet another high rise - and there goes any individuality or character that the city once had.

But 'individuality and character' are lost only if you're expecting individuality and character to reside in old and/or shabby things. That's what I was trying to say: individuality and character are not the same as old stuff.

Building high-rises, and making sure everything is as new as possible, expresses the individuality and character of AD - that's what the city is all about. You could no more have a Jerusalem-style souk in AD than you could have Abu Dhabi-style high rises in the Old City of Jerusalem. But that fact is only disappointing if you expect (or want) AD to be like Jerusalem. It isn't - it's like AD.

It's only about expectations. I thought AD was full of character and quite unique. I didn't miss old stuff.

Ruff I think we're going round in circles here a bit as I basically agree with you that old doesn't necessarily equal characterful. However, high rises and everything being sparkling is what AD is all about now, yes, but personally I think it's a shame when something shabby, but integral, IMO to the character of the city is pulled down just to make way for yet another sparkling high rise that looks pretty much the same as all the others. Then something is lost that will never be replaced. It's not a Jerusalem-style souk that I miss, it's the AD souk! You're saying it's about expectations, but what about for those of us who have memories of these old, shabby things and are not that impressed by the uniformity we have now?!

Fair enough! I'd dispute the uniformity thing, but never mind. At least we can agree that we both like the place. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Well, comparative uniformity!
Anyway, I'm pleased to have an ally to gang up with me against Genghis when she starts slagging the place off!!

Careful Vicky - I'll have the moderators on to you.....

Yeah but dad's bigger than your dad.....

Yeah, but Dubai Mall is bigger than Abu Dhabi Mall.

Dubai Mall is so big, it takes 2 hours to get out of the car park !!
Ha.

Yeah but AD has soooooooooo much more oil than you and therefore soooooooooooo much more money. How long til you come running to AD for a big fat handout with all this credit crunch business going on?!
Double ha!

NB For 'you' please read Dubai' - I got a bit carried away!!

He he he
Total threadjack, but your #32 so reminds me of the "Economics, according to cows" email.
Basically, a run down of various countries and how ownership of two cows would affect them.

France: you have 2 cows. You go on strike because you want 3 cows.

England: you have 2 cows. Both are mad.

Egypt: you have 2 cows, they both vote for Mubarak

Lebanon: you have 2 cows, one is owned by Syria, the other controlled by the government

Dubai: You have two cows. You create a ' Cow City ' or 'Milk Village ', advertise them in all the magazines, and set up a website.
You sell off the high end dairy products before the cows have even been milked.
Your investors hope to re -sell the non-existent milk for a 100% profit in two years time.

You fly Tiger Woods to Dubai for the first ceremonial milking of the cows to attract media attention, and arrange to have some highly endangered Tibetan Yaks shipped in to add to "the Cow City experience" .

Abu Dhabi: You have two cows. So what? We have Oil.

I saw that email this week too! Mine had some added extras:
America: You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of
four cows. Later, you hire a consultant to analyze why the cow dropped dead.

And, best of all:
Sharjah: You have two cows. You sell them to an investor in Dubai. The cows get stuck
in traffic between Sharjah to Dubai and die. You have zero cows now.

But yeah, 'we' have oil!!

My thread was definately thread jacked. I managed to extract a few pieces of info, and i think i have 15 days in Jordan. Should be plenty of time to see what I want to see at a reasonable pace.

Sorry Justin!
Have a good trip to Jordan.

Its all good. I can't wait to visit Jordan. Never been to an Arab country before either.