We are on the Etihad Airlines flight through Abu Dhabi to Paris. We are in the very back seats. Well Eunjoo and I are. Lucy and Lisa are a couple of rows up. They are becoming very independent.

We bought the tickets on cheaptickets.com and payed extra for seat selection.  A day before travelling we get an email from Etihad about online check-in. We can do it on their website.  It doesn't work. Several times I input passport numbers, check all the boxes saying that I am not putting candy in my luggage, and choose our seats.  When I click the final button I keep just getting a message that something has gone wrong and to try again later.  As usual, there is no convenient point of contact on the website.  

When we get to the airport to check-in there are no four seats together. There are two in the back row, and two a couple of rows up.  Lucy and Lisa want to sit together, so Eunjoo and I are in the back.

Unexpectedly, though they are the back seats, they recline.  And with nobody behind me, I can put it back without worrying about inconveniencing anyone. Not bad, Etihad.  

Service on the plane is great.  They have mango juice.  My review of Etihad:  shitty website, great planes and service.  

There is even a crusty flight attendent who loses patience with everyone.  It sounds like a critisism, but there are always a couple of thoughless people on flight, and things go better if there is someone with authority to lose patience with them.  I enjoy it no end.