Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, popularly known as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates is also the second largest airline of the country after Emirates. The name Etihad means Union in Arabic. The meaning is symbolic to UAE as it represents the Middle East countries with the world. Etihad has its head office in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi near the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad Airways currently operates more than 1,000 flights per week with more than 120 destinations in the Middle East, Asia, America, Europe, Australia and Africa.

Etihad Airways and Cabin Classification

Etihad is known for offering luxurious and top notch flight experience to customers.  Equipped with luxurious amenities and inflight services, you can experience the comfort of travelling with Etihad not just in its elite cabin classes but in standard economy as well. The airline offers a multitude of cabin classes to a wide range of customers. The cabin classes include Standard Economy Class, Extra Legroom Economy, Business Class, First Class and Residence.

Economy Class

Most affordable and yet packed with multiple amenities, Etihad Airlines standard economy class caters to the mass of passengers who wish to travel with comfort but on budget. On every Etihad flight, economy class features a seat back inflight entertainment system that offers a variety of options ranging from regional to international movies, TV shows, music, and children specific content. You can also enjoy complimentary meals and beverages on every flight while utilising the inhouse wifi connectivity. Economy class also features SMART Seats for long haul flights that accentuated comfort and leisure with cozy full-sized blankets and pillows, reclining seats and added legroom with even personal storage spaces.

Business Class

Equipped with luxurious amenities and inflight services, Etihad Airlines business class is proving itself as one of the best in the sky. As a business class passenger, you can experience excellent services at the airport and in the flight too. While travelling on Business class, you get additional facilities like complimentary lounge access, priority check-in and boarding, premium quality of seats with 180 degree recline, inflight entertainment and delectable traditional and continental three course meal service with a variety of beverages.

You can also enjoy a curated selection of wines, cocktails are also presented for the pleasure of customers. Customers are also provided with amenity kits on long haul containing eye masks, ear plugs, luxurious socks and signature fresh fragrance along with shaving kit and comb.

First Class

Known as the finest cabin class in Etihad Airways, this fare class offers incredible flight experience to customers not just on board but at the airport as well. The premium First Class service begins before  the arrival of the customer because the customer is driven by a personal chauffeur to the airport directly. At the airport, reach before the time so that you can relax at the First Class lounge. First Class passengers travelling in Etihad get complimentary access to Etihad lounges all around the world. Every seat in First class features a fully-flat plush bed along with blankets and pillows. You can also enjoy a wide selection of inflight entertainment with international movies, TV shows and music. Along with other facilities on board, passengers travelling in Etihad Airlines can enjoy a full three-course gourmet meal accompanied with a wide selection of beverages. Additional facilities include priority check-in and boarding with priority baggage claim services as well.

Residence

Those who seek personalised flight experience can reserve their seat in Residence. The Residence begins with a personalised welcome at the airport and hospitality inside the premium Etihad Lounge. Through a dedicated check-in and boarding line, passengers can be the first to board the plane. Residence on Etihad flight is also termed as an apartment in sky as it offers a complete suite experience with lounge seats, a plush bed and ensuite bathroom. While travelling with Residence, passengers travelling in Etihad are assigned with a dedicated team who will prepare the choice of meals from different cuisines around the world. To get rid of flight  fatigue on Etihad, one can indulge with a relaxing shower in the ensuite bathroom with premium amenities. While lodging in cruise mode, passengers can use the inflight entertainment that offers more than hundred tv shows, movies and live sports.

Etihad Airways Baggage Policy

Etihad has several rules when it comes to baggage allowance. The baggage rules for Etihad Airways ensure that every passenger carries permitted size and weight. In case of overweight or oversized baggage, passengers must pay an additional baggage fee depending upon destinations and amount exceeding the limit as per Etihad flights baggage policy. 

• You can bring three types of baggage including checked, carry-on and extra bags as per Etihad Airways baggage policy. 
• If you have connecting flights in your itinerary then you may have to check-in your baggage again at the connecting airport. 
• If a passenger exceeds the baggage limit then certain extra baggage charges are applicable depending on destinations. 
• The airline offers separate baggage allowance for international flights that are different compared to domestic flights. 
• As per Baggage policy Etihad Airways, special items like sports equipment and musical instruments will be accepted on different terms than the regular baggage. 
• Etihad Airways has separate baggage allowance for pets and infants.

Carry-on Baggage

All passengers in Etihad Airways are allowed to carry free cabin baggage with certain weight and size restrictions. Carry-on bags exceeding the limits will be considered as checked baggage or may be charged an excess baggage fee.

Economy Class

• All passengers travelling in Economy are allowed one cabin bag weighing up to 7 kg with dimensions bigger than 56 x 36 x 23 cm. 
• Along with carry-on baggage, you can also carry one personal baggage that includes a briefcase, handbag, or backpack.

Business Class, First and Residence

• Passengers travelling in the elite class can carry two carry-on bags with a combined weight of up to 12 kg. Each bag cannot be bigger than 56 x 36 x 23 cm as per Etihad Airways baggage policy. 
• The airline also offers passengers to carry one personal item such as laptop bag, handbag, briefcase weighing up to 5 kg with maximum dimension of 23 x 39 x 19cm.

Etihad Checked Baggage

Checked Baggage allowance depends on the fare type and destinations  of the customers. Passengers travelling in Business, First and The Residence are allowed to carry checked baggage weighing not more than 32 kg per bag.

• Economy passengers are eligible to carry checked baggage weighing 23 kg with a total dimension of 158cm (70 x 50 x 38). 
• As per Baggage policy in Etihad Airways economy, infants are allowed to carry one additional check-in bag of up to 23 kg for US/Canada destinations.

Checked Baggage Allowance for Different Routes

Destinations	Economy Class	Business Class	First Class
U.S Canada	2 bags 23 kg each	2 bags 32 kg each	2 bags 32 kg each
Jordan & Lebanon	2 bags 40 kg each	2 bags 40 kg each	2 bags 50 kg each
Africa	2 bags 40 kg each	2 bags 40 kg each	2 bags 50 kg each
Bangladesh, Philippines & Indonesia	2 bags 40 kg each	2 bags 40 kg each	2 bags 50 kg each
India & U.k	2 bags 40 kg each	2 bags 40 kg each	2 bags 50 kg each

Etihad Airways Baggage Fee

Etihad Airways usually does not charge any baggage fee until the baggage exceeds the baggage limit. The airline offers every passenger the feasibility to pay the applicable baggage fee through the website online. 

To/From	Extra Bag Fee
GCC, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia	$307
Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan	$256
Indian Subcontinent	$256
Africa	$256
Asia	$256
Japan/ Korea	$280
Australia	$280

Etihad Airways Check-in Policy

Etihad Airlines Check-in policy allows passengers to experience a smooth flight experience not just at the airport counter but also while boarding. The airline also offers automatic self-service check-in, bag drop service to passengers travelling from Abu Dhabi.

• Etihad Airways online check-in begins 48 hours to 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight. 
• Etihad allows customers to check-in online using the web 30 hours to 1 hour before the scheduled flight departure. 
• As per Etihad Check-in policy, group reservation cannot check-in online. 
• The airline advises its customers to reach the airport at least 2-3 hours before their flights. 
•  Customers can also opt for an online check-in facility available on the airline’s official website or through its mobile app to complete Etihad flight check-in.
• Another way to check in for flight is to contact Etihad customer service to take assistance from the staff itself. 
• According to the check-in policy, boarding passes will only be assigned in the given check-in time limit.
• Other than check in, the airline also offers Etihad flight status that is accessible via the website or mobile app.

Etihad Home Check-in

Etihad ensures to offer complete flexibility and convenience to customers. Etihad’s home check-in service is one such excellent service that allows passengers to complete the Etihad check-in process including baggage drop, seat selection from the comfort of their own homes. Passengers can simply dial etihad airways customer service to raise the request for Home check in.

Home Check-in Allowance

Passengers opting for Home check-in have certain baggage restrictions depending on their flight status. 

Status	Allowance	Price
Coral	Up to 2 bags	$51
Silver	Up to 4 bags	$60
Gold	Up to 6 bags	$76
Diamond	Up tp 8 bags	$93
Platinum	Up to 10 bags	$109

Etihad Cancellation Policy

Just like other services, Etihad offers easy to understand and feasible cancellation policies that ensure that customers receive appropriate refunds after cancellation. 

• Etihad offers online cancellation on tickets purchased online through the website and mobile app marketed by the airline. 
• As per Etihad Cancellation policy, flights purchased through cash, cheque, invoice or any other non-electronic form of payment are not eligible for online cancellation. 
• The airline also allows passengers to cancel their flight ticket three hours prior to the scheduled departure of the flight. 
• The airline does not allow any reversal of cancellation and refund once the request is initiated. 
• Etihad cancellation policy covers all sorts of fare types including restricted and non-restricted irrespective of cabin class. 
• The unused ticket can be exchanged and cancelled for another booking however, cancellation fee may be applied depending on the fare type purchased by the customer.

Etihad 24 hours Cancellation Policy

Etihad Airways also offers a 24 hours cancellation policy that allows passengers to cancel their flight within 24 hours of making the reservation to receive full refund. However, this policy is only valid for passengers travelling to/from US or Canada. 

• The 24 hour cancellation policy is applicable on all the fares available in Etihad including non-refundable as well. 
• If a passenger chooses to cancel their booking after 24 hours then they will have to pay 10% of the ticket value as ticket cancellation charges to claim refund on their fare. 
• Usually the refund takes around 7-10 business days if paid via credit or debit card. 
• Passengers travelling with Etihad Airlines in the US and Canada can claim 100% refund under the 24 hours cancellation policy only if the reservation has been made at least 7 days before the flight departure. 
• Flights booked with reward are  not eligible for cancellation within 24 hours. 
• Group fares are exempted from the policy of 24 hours cancellation.

Etihad Airways Cancellation Fee

The airline cancellation fee remains 10% of the entire airfare value only if the flight is cancelled 96% hours before the scheduled departure of the flight. The cancellation fee usually depends on the airfare and route of the flight. 

• As per Etihad cancellation policy, multiple airfare rules attract higher restrictions. 
• As per Etihad refund policy, the refunds are always subjected to fare rules of the ticket purchased. 
• Passengers who have reserved additional services or ancillaries with flight bookings are not refundable if the cancellation is requested. 
• The cancellation fee will be waived in case of bereavement of a passenger or immediate family member.

Etihad Airways Refund Policy

As per Etihad refund policy, refund is only given to the unused portion of a ticket. 

• Refunds are subjected to the fare rules associated with the flight booking. 
• As per refund policy, the refund will only be credited to the original payment method. 
• The amount of your refund is determined by numerous factors like fare rules, travel routes or partially flown tickets as per Etihad Airways refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions