Etihad company accommodation

[SassyPilotsWife]

Although I don't work for Etihad nor does my husband, there is a pilot's wife who is in Real Estate in Al Ain and if you have a choice of housing, definitely consider Al Ain vs AD. It is about a 1.5 hour drive to the airport and there are other crews living here, both flight deck and cabin. You get a whole lot more home for the housing allowance they provide you. Education is alot less expensive and the quality of life for a family is extremely pleasant as it is family focused. There is so many things to do, clubs to join, sports to enjoy. She has some nice properties available that are close to schools and easy access to the road to Abu Dhabi. Without advertising her website, as its probably not allowed, you can google villas plus Al Ain and look for Al Ain Villafinder. She doesn't charge the standard 5% commission to crew members ( mods, that should be reason enough to keep this post) Best of luck and welcome to the UAE. It's crazy, but we somehow fit right in

[mafalda]

Thanks alot Sassy. Will have a look at the site.

[mafalda]

Were any of the new joining f/o who have kids been allocated in any etihad villas lately?

[ATC83]

Hi

Interesting reading regarding accommodation...I'm just a bit more interested regarding the quality that people mention...

Some people say accommodation is big and spacious, some say small...what is this in comparison to? In the states, most accompdation is very big, yet here in England it is quite small in comparison.
Also, regarding the apartments - I have tried to google some photos but can only find a video on YouTube of a cabin crew dorm which looks pretty dark and dingy...is the pilot accom different to this?

What's the situation re new joiners at present? I heard that a few years ago people were being put in hotels for 6 months..?

Edited to add: if anyone has any photos of accommodation they could post it would be a great help to us new joiners
And when you are offered a contract, is it possible to put a preference for certain accommodation?

And final question...I presume the apartments all have swimming pool, gym etc? What is the social life like around them compared to villas?

Many thanks for your help - about to sign a contract so any answers would be greatly appreciated!

[Nightfire]

Some people say accommodation is big and spacious, some say small...what is this in comparison to? In the states, most accompdation is very big, yet here in England it is quite small in comparison.

Depends where you go. Khalifa B villas are quite big, really. Apartments in Musaffah and downtown are not as big as a villa, but still very large compared to anything you might get in London.
The new places coming up in Al Reef are said to be considerably smaller.

Also, regarding the apartments - I have tried to google some photos but can only find a video on YouTube of a cabin crew dorm which looks pretty dark and dingy...is the pilot accom different to this?

Depends entirely upon where you are. The places within Etihad Plaza are modern and convenient, but not exactly very beautiful. More of a hotel-atmosphere.

And when you are offered a contract, is it possible to put a preference for certain accommodation?

Yeah, you can state your preference.

And final question...I presume the apartments all have swimming pool, gym etc? What is the social life like around them compared to villas?

Nope. Some places have that, if you are lucky. In Musaffah, the swimming pool is a joke - it's tiny, it's indoors in a cellar, and with very doubtful hygienic standards. The gym is quite good though.
If you move into a villa, obviously there's nothing of the sort, you either need to join a club (which is VERY expensive), oder always drive to the company's fitness facilities that you're allowed to use.

Social life is virtually nonexistent. No BBQing, no partying, everything is forbidden. All you can do is to find some friends on your own, visit them and go out with them, but there is no neighbourhood around your accomodation whatsoever.

[ATC83]

Thanks a lot for that!
is Al Reef only Villas/townhouses? Cant seem to find any apartments there on the net.