Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), founded in 2003. It is the second-largest airline in the UAE after Emirates. The company also includes subsidiaries Etihad Holidays and Etihad Cargo, which offer hotel booking and car rental services.

This review will analyze Etihad Airways’ operations, including fare plans, flight schedules, and payment methods. We will also look at promotions, online reviews, and legal information to help you determine if Etihad is a reliable and trustworthy airline.

Why Etihad Airways?

In 2003, the carrier was recognized as the fastest-growing company in the entire period of commercial aviation. Etihad Airways’ fleet comprises 103 aircraft, including the Airbus A330-200, Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777F. The carrier offers domestic service, ongoing bonuses, flexible fare policies, and full passenger support.

Benefits of Etihad

The main positive aspects of Etihad Airways can be summarized as these points:

• All-Inclusive service
• Quick ticket search panel
• Registration and booking in two clicks
• Payment in installments, through electronic platforms
• Mobile app
• A flexible policy of tariff plans
• Bonus program and mailing of personalized offers

Service on Board

The number of domestic flight options depends on the aircraft, confirmed fare plan, and the level of the loyalty program. Etihad Airlines passengers are connected to an E-Box platform where they can read a magazine, watch a movie, or play a video game. For a cell phone or tablet, there is a charger built into each seat. Customers can connect to Wi-Fi for a fee, where the amount is fixed within each fare and level of the bonus program. When it comes to food, Etihad Airways has developed its meal list with snacks, hot meals, and side dishes. People with special diets can order a meal preparation with personal recommendations at the time of booking. Economy Class has rows with extra space, and Business Class is equipped with beds.

How Do I Buy Airline Tickets on etihad.com?

Etihad Airways’ comprehensive online platform almost completely replaces ground airports, as it contains most of the services that can be used online. On the main page, the passenger will see a standard menu in the form of a solid line, as well as additional windows that pop up when you hover your cursor over one of the sections. Here you need to click on the item “Book” and find the route using the built-in search bar. Then comes the standard procedure of booking and buying a ticket, and at the final stage, the client receives a copy of his ticket with the specified details. However, before exploring ways to buy tickets on etihad.com, you need to consider all the available fares. Etihad has developed its fare policy, where each of the packages accommodates a specific set of optional extras. Etihad Airways fares:

• “Sale” (basic cheap fare with hand luggage up to 7 kg and personal items on board up to 5 kg, converts to miles when paying 25%).
• “Hand Baggage Only, Value” (with a paid date change and upgrade feature, provides up to 50% miles on conversion).
• “Choice” (standard fare with free date changes, refunds with fees, 75% miles and upgrade service).
• “Choice Plus” (permanent free changes, refunds, priority check-in, free seat selection, 100% miles).
• “Guest Seat” (change of flight date for 100 dirhams, 10% bonus from the price in miles without conversion to additional balance).

Above is a summary of economy class fares. Business class has similar plans, except for “Sale”. Tickets differ in the number of additional options (hand luggage weight, shuttle rental, lounge access, etc.). Speaking of First Class, there is a “First” fare. The passenger can carry up to 12 kg of luggage, change the flight date, and get 275% domestic miles. After sorting out the current fares, Etihad Airways will take the user to the payment selection block.

Online Booking

The main way to book and buy a ticket from Etihad Airways is online purchase. First, a passenger searches for the desired flight using the search bar, where you need to confirm the boarding location, the endpoint of the route, the class, and the number of tickets. After that, the site etihad.com redirects you to the current available flights page, where you just need to click on the desired fare. When the ticket has been selected, the client proceeds to the stage of registration of additional options and payment for the flight. A standard form is installed here, where you need to enter your card details and confirm the payment.

Booking Via the Mobile App

The airline has its own official mobile app, which is responsible for finding and buying tickets. The program is designed for three popular operating systems: Android, iOS and Harmony. The set of tools of the application is fully identical to the web version of Etihad Airways, so the passenger will be able to find, book, buy a ticket, as well as check in for the flight. The official app also includes other features, including a selection of additional service and refunds for the booked flight.

In Installments

This method of payment is possible only for reservations in the UAE, CA or Egypt. The airline does not arrange installments, so this issue should be agreed with the bank with which the payment will be made.

On Credit

Etihad Airways supports payment by credit only for JCB bank card holders. The user also needs to study the list of countries from which it is not possible to depart by credit. Information about this is published in the help center, in the “Help” section.

Payment with Bonuses

Under the Etihad Airways guest frequent flyer program, passengers can pay for part of their fare with Etihad Guest miles. Etihad Guest provides for the accumulation of points for flights, the number of which depends on the route, class and availability of additional services. The program also has a bank account, which is opened in the passenger’s payment currency. Bonus money can only be used to pay for part of the amount, and its percentage is displayed at the time of booking.

How Do I Get a Refund on Etihad Com?

Registered users can make changes to their flight within two hours, including editing the list of related services. If the passenger can’t fly on a fixed date, you can change the date, or change the boarding location, in the “Manage booking” section. The full flight cancellation feature depends on the current booking fare and the reason why the boarding was rejected. You can submit a refund request at etihad.com, or through the contact center.

If the latter is chosen, the company has the right to charge an administration fee. If the passenger has a valid reason for canceling the flight, Etihad Airways will release the funds within 30 days of the request. The money will be transferred to the same account that the customer used to pay for the booking. For economy class fares, the airline will pay a refund in the form of bonus miles (up to 5,000) and to the Travel Bank account (up to $400). This money can be used when booking other flights on etihad.com.

Etihad.Com Personal Account

On the Etihad platform, a passenger can find and book a flight without pre-registration, but having an account provides for enhanced interaction with the company. The main advantage of registering on etihad.com is membership in the loyalty program, through which you can accumulate points and pay for further flights. There is a persona icon in the right-hand corner of the line menu, which will redirect the user to etihadguest.com by clicking on it.

After entering your contact information, the site will ask for your address and region, and select information channels. In the personal account dashboard, you can see the history of activity, the number of miles earned, change contact information, and add a family member for joint participation in the bonus program. The control panel provides a quick transition to booking tickets (the “Book” button).

How Do I Find a Ticket on Etihad Airlines?

Finding a valid flight on etihad.com can be done via the homepage, using the start menu. In a pop-up window, the visitor clicks on the desired category and the platform automatically redirects them to the search bar. Information about active flights is constantly updated so if the client has been inactive for more than 5 minutes, they must start the procedure again. The panel on Etihad is completely similar to other airlines’ websites. You can also find tickets through the control panel at EtihadGuest.com. There is a “book” button in the right corner that automatically directs users to the familiar ticket search form.

Instructions for Buying a Ticket

Buying a flight on etihad.com starts on the home page, where you select “Book” and “Book Flights” from the menu bar. A standard panel will open below to select the route, number of passengers, cabin, and departure date. After that, the platform will open the list of free flights drawn in the table. Using it, the passenger will see if there are any flights (taking into account the reverse side), which match the specified parameters. After clicking on the “Continue” button, etihad.com will open a new block with a fare panel. It shows the number of available seats, the current price and a list of included services within the fare plan. On the right-hand side, the customer will see the total price (including general fees and taxes) and a summary of the ticket information.

The next step is to fill out a form with the passenger’s contact information. The platform will ask the customer to enter their full name, a valid phone number, e-mail address and method of contact (“Mr.”, “Mrs.”, “Doctor” and so on). If the information is entered correctly, the user proceeds to the selection of seats on board. You can skip this step and go straight to paying. Payment at etihad.com is done in two clicks – the passenger fills in the form with the card details and confirms the booking. Booking details will be sent to the specified email or text message within a minute. You can check the correctness of the booking in the personal cabinet (if you have previously created an account on etihadguest.com).

Flight Check-in Instructions

You must register for a flight at Etihad 30 calendar days before departure, as stated in the company’s information center. You can check in online, using a special panel in the “Management” section. Here you need to specify the current booking code or loyalty program member number, and the last name in Roman letters. The same procedure can be done via Etihad mobile app. After check-in, all the passenger has to do is arrive at the airport at the specified time and get the boarding pass.

Etihad Airways Mobile App

Etihad has three branded mobile travel planning apps. The company has developed applications for Android, iOS and Harmony smartphones, which can be downloaded from established stores. “Etihad Airways provides a quick ticket search and reservation, as well as synchronization with the user’s account. When it comes to the rewards program and interacting with extra miles, there’s “Etihad Guest,” which acts as a similar web-based version of etihadguest.com. Etihad also has “Etihad Cargo” on its list of apps. You can install it on your smartphone, but domestic services will not be available.

Baggage Allowance at Etihad

Each airline stipulates its own conditions for luggage transportation on board. Requirements for suitcases and other passenger belongings are tied to the fare within which the flight takes place. Information on applicable baggage allowances can be found in the Guest Information Centre and in the “Fly with Etihad” section in the main menu on the website. If you do not comply with the airline’s conditions, Etihad has the right to refuse carriage without refund.

Carry-on Baggage

Etihad.com has taken a competent approach to the calculation of passenger hand luggage, offering an interactive form of informing customers. In the same-named tab, the user will see the hand luggage calculator, which can be used to find out the current conditions of luggage carriage on the specified route. The calculator is designed because of the variety of destinations, and each country has fixed baggage requirements:

• Economy class passengers can carry up to 7 kg of hand luggage (1 piece), and personal items on board up to 5 kg. An unlimited number of bags can be checked in up to the limit stated in the conditions. When flying to America or Canada the total weight of hand luggage is increased to 23 kg;
• Business Class passengers get two seats up to 12 kg total hand luggage weight. Similar conditions apply to first-class customers in Etihad.

Passengers are not allowed to carry chemicals without tightly sealed packaging, any explosives, sharp objects and liquids from 100ml in packaging. Customers are also allowed to take a razor with them only if it is disposable or packaged in a protective attachment. Dangerous razors must be registered as sharp objects. Average dimensions of hand luggage on Etihad flights: width 56 cm, height 36 cm, and depth 23 cm (7-12 kg).

Checked-in Luggage

A list of checked baggage is published in the “Forbidden and Allowed Items” section of the information center. Each type of item is in a separate category, where checked items are marked with a checkmark. Any weapons, including ammunition, catapults, slingshots, and crossbows, must be checked in advance. This list also includes all sharp objects, mock explosives, and chemicals. Of the standard items, the passenger must register clubs, ropes, fishing rods, bats, martial arts equipment, and more. Allowed luggage dimensions:

• “Sale” – 72cm*90cm*45cm up to 20 kg;
• “Value” – 72cm*90cm*45cm up to 23 kg;
• “Choice” – 72cm*90cm*45cm up to 30 kg;
• “Choice Plus” – 72cm*90cm*45cm up to 35 kg.

First and business-class passengers can carry check-in baggage up to 50 kg with similar dimensions.

What Do I Do If I Lose My Luggage?

If a passenger is unable to locate his/her baggage during the flight, a report must be made in advance to Etihad Airways customer services. The airline will draw up a loss report and forward it for international tracking. The document is assigned a code that must be entered on the wtrweb.worldtracer.aero platform. With the document received, the passenger has the right to make a claim. Notifying the administration of the loss of luggage must be made within 48 hours after the flight. If the customer was on a connecting flight and ended the flight through an Etihad Airways representative, the complaint must be directed to the partner airline’s managers.

Additional Services of etihad.com

Like other airlines, Etihad provides several additional options that can be arranged for a comfortable flight. Some of them are already included in the fare plans, and information about them can be found in the information center. Before searching for and booking a flight, you should research the Etihad Airways service.

Improving the class of service

After making a reservation or at the time of booking confirmation, the passenger can request an upgrade. On board Etihad, there are separate seats with beds, a signature meal card, and seats with extra space. Upgrades are available for miles, through an auction, or in the standard way.

Duty-Free Shop

There are magazines and interactive platforms on board that can be used to explore the duty-free store catalog. The list includes limited-edition merchandise, Etihad exclusives, and many popular brands (Tom Ford, Swarovski, Hermes, and more). An electronic edition of the catalog can be downloaded at etihad.com.

Choosing a Location

At the time of booking or check-in, passengers can reserve a seat with extra comfort (extra legroom). A porthole seat reservation service is also available on Etihad, as well as the option of a seat with an empty adjacent seat. You can apply directly on etihad.com, under the same name section.

Passenger Assistance

The airline’s in-house service provides a number of services for passengers who need additional assistance. The list of options includes escorting minors, service for pregnant women, basic medical assistance (+ ordering a wheelchair), and cooking special meals. Services must be arranged when you book your ticket.

Meeting at the Airport

By partnering with Fasttrack.aero, Etihad offers assistance in escorting the passenger before boarding the plane, or at the time of transfers. The customer receives priority check-in, access to the lounge, and a car to take him to the desired terminal. Book the option at etihad.fasttrack.aero.

Insurance

The airline has a domestic insurance policy, which is valid for tourists from Italy, Australia, Germany, England, France and other countries.

Transfers and Hotels

With Etihad Holidays, a passenger can rent a car at the place of arrival for a specific period. Etihad.com has a separate car search panel where you need to enter the date, location and age of the driver. If the search shows any available cars, the page will display a list of all working offers. The software also provides for online hotel reservations. To do this, click on the tab “Hotels” in the search panel.

Etihad Com Bonuses

The airline has many promotions, through which you can book a ticket or an in-house service at a discount. Etihad regularly launches new promotional events, notifying customers via mailing lists or social media. The number of such bonuses will depend on the customer’s country of residence or place of departure, so you should study all current promotions before searching for a ticket etihad.com.

Specials

A standard airline program in which some of the popular flights participate in a seasonal sale. On the page with the same name, the user will see a small panel with the choice of departure destination and class type, which the platform will automatically find valid offers. For example, Etihad Airways is holding a flash sale on tickets to Abu Dhabi and some islands from many European capitals. Customers can book a flight in economy class from €249, which also offers flexible ticket exchange terms.

Loyalty Program

The company has developed its Etihad Guest bonus program, in which the passenger earns domestic points and raises a level. Opening each new tier provides fixed bonuses that can be used to book further flights. Immediately after registering for Etihad Guest, the customer is upgraded to Bronze status with basic parameters including discounted guest Wi-Fi and mileage upgrades. In addition, Etihad gives the new loyalty program member 500 welcome miles.

Other major bonuses will be unlocked at subsequent levels, as Bronze only helps you accumulate miles for further upgrades. Thus, there are three additional loyalty program statuses available to Etihad Guest:

• Silver. Awarded after the accumulation of 25,000 miles. Silver status passengers receive a guarantee for a seat in economy class 48 hours before booking, 25% discount on upgrades, priority check-in, 25% on Wi-Fi, lounge access, and baggage bonuses;
• Gold. Connects after 50,000 miles. Provides a dedicated contact center, 50% mileage accrual, 24-hour reservations, chauffeur services, 50% for upgrades. Also Gold status guarantees priority boarding, 75% on economy seat selection, 75% on Wi-Fi, and personal discounts at Etihad partners;
• Platinum. Starts at 120,000 miles. Includes all services above, plus: 75% miles accrual, 12 hours seat in economy and 48 in business class, 50% for upgrades, up to 10 free seats on economy reservations, free Wi-Fi. The passenger also has access to all lounges and personalized offers from a closed Twitter account.

When paying for a flight, customers can only pay for part of the amount with miles, which will be displayed at the time of booking. Also bonus points can be spent in the Etihad in-store, or donated to a charity fund.

Etihad.Com Affiliate Program

The company cooperates with the CPA network Admitadand here the conditions are as follows: paid order 1.9%.

Complaints about Etihad Airlines

You can see more than 17,000 reviews about Etihad Airways from users online. Until 2020, the organization received more than 80% of positive feedback, which is considered an example of good reputation and reliability. However, since last March, the number of negative publications began to skyrocket. It can be assumed that the company faced difficulties after the quarantine restrictions, which hit the rating of many carriers.

On the positive side, passengers note the cleanliness of the cabins, the convenience of booking in the app and on the website, the route network, and the friendly staff. Etihad’s list of pluses includes a loyalty program, an in-house store, and additional entertainment. If we talk about recent reviews, among the complaints passengers most often touched on the problem of refunds for tickets, frequent flight cancellations and long responses from airline managers. Due to the influx of low ratings, Etihad Airways’ rating on Otzovik has dropped to 3.3 out of 5, and on TripAdvisor to 3.5 out of 5.

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Regulatory Agencies and Laws

Every airline must register and obtain a license for transportation, as the document provides executive control and a guarantee of human rights. The official organization pays taxes and carries out basic insurance with the help of external partners, as well as maintains the fleet and receives the right to international flights.

• View Privacy & Cookies on etihad.com

Legal Information About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, owned by the UAE government, operates under executive authorities, limiting public information in standard registries. While often not classified as a Public Joint Stock Company (PJSC), the airline’s legal documentation may refer to it as such, with a noted registration in September 2009, though the airline was originally founded in 2003. Its headquarters are at New Airport Road, PO Box 35566, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The tax number listed is 100047714900003, aligning with UAE tax regulations, but should be verified for accuracy. Anthony J. Douglas served as CEO until December 2022, after which Antonoaldo Neves took over. Updating these details is advisable for accuracy, especially if referenced in formal documentation.

Etihad Licenses

Mentions of Etihad Airways license for etihad.com and is not available in public sources. Licensing documents should be requested from the airline managers.

Terms and Conditions at etihad.com

There is a link to the Terms and Conditions in the basement of the site. These are the main terms and conditions for using etihad.com as well as the flight conditions and passenger requirements. Passengers should read the contents of the applicable Agreement before making a booking. Paragraph 5 states that the age of the child will be determined at the time of travel so the year of birth should be taken into consideration when making the booking. In etihad.com’s rules, the age of a child is 2-11 years old, so you should buy your ticket with an understanding of the current age classification.

If due to the fault of the company the passenger was denied the flight, Etihad is obliged to transfer the compensation, the amount of which depends on the route. Also if an alternative flight with the same network is found, the company pays already 50% of the total compensation price. The amount of payment starts at 400 euros.

etihad.com has links to third-party sites for which we are not responsible. The carrier asks for caution when visiting third-party sites as they may contain unsafe or prohibited content.

Etihad.Com Customer Support Service

Ask a question to the manager or leave an appeal to the airline can only be by phone, or with the help of a feedback form.

Is Etihad Airways a Scam?

National Company Etihad Airways has been operating for almost 18 years, flying to 90 countries and 75 destinations around the world. In 2016, the carrier won the “Best First Class” category at an international award, greatly enhancing its reputation and visibility. Etihad offers a range of optional extras, entertainment, personal amenities, and professional medical assistance. Flights can be booked on etihad.com or its mobile app, and the loyalty program lets you pay with miles. We checked out etihad.com, looking at fares, the airline’s fleet, and its rules, as well as the loyalty program and specials. In short, we can say that Etihad is not a scam. However, recent complaints make you cautious about buying tickets from this airline.

Conclusion

Despite the lack of logic in the layout of the sections, searching and booking airline tickets with Etihad Airways is convenient. The carrier has also provided additional information about flights, in-flight service, and flight requirements. Customers can install a mobile app to book and manage the loyalty program, simplifying interaction with Etihad. Etihad regularly launches special offers, and most services can be paid for using miles with Etihad Guest. To let others know about Etihad’s current situation, if you have recently flown with them, you can leave your review below.