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Taken 22 March 2007 from New York, NY (John F. Kennedy International Airport) - JFK to Abu Dhabi (Nadia International Airport) - AUH

My husband and I, along with our 3 children, flew on Etihad Airways from New York to Abu Dhabi on the evening of March 22, 2007 and returned on April 2, 2007.

I must say I was extremely disappointed by my Etihad experience. The flight attendants were not very attentive, and did not respond courteously when asked to provide small services such as drinks or an extra blanket.

The flight attendants spent most of the trip in the back galley. The constant service bell ringing was intolerable. We were unable to sleep at all due to this constant ringing - even with headphones on.

Our flight attendants during both legs of our trip acted as if they were bothered by the fact that we asked for anything additional at all.

The flight attendants did not offer all of the items that the Etihad menu listed on the New York to Abu Dhabi trip - we had to request those items, even though they were clearly listed on the menu.

On the Abu Dhabi to New York flight, we were not even provided with menus. We were forced to go to the back of the plane to get a snack or drink as the flight attendants only made 2 drink rounds during our 13 hour flight, once with tiny cups of water, approximately 4 ounces. Nor did they respond to the flight attendant page button - even though I pushed it 3 times before finally giving up on getting anyone to answer the page.

During both portions of our trip, there was not one attempt by any flight attendant to collect any of the trash that accumulated from snack bags or drink bottles throughout the cabin.

On our return from Abu Dhabi to New York the bathrooms were disgusting. The floors were covered in water, there appeared to be human waste on the sink countertop, and some of the other passengers were obviously smoking in the restroom! I could smell smoke while standing in line, and saw tobacco in the toilet.

Based on this experience, my family would not fly with Etihad Airways again, nor would we recommend that any of our family, friends or business associates fly with Etihad. The service was far below what I expected as a paying passenger, and far below the service I have received with other airlines in the past.