This is a review on Etihad Airways based on personal experiences and their passenger’s point of view. You will also learn about what they provide, their features, Features & Performance, pros and cons, awards achievements, and many others.
Table
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the second largest airline in the United Arab Emirates UAE after Emirates. It took birth in November 2003 and has been flourishing till date. It’s headquarter is located in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Its tagline is “FROM ABU DHABI TO THE WORLD”. It carries 18.6 million passengers annually and has a fleet of 110.
Abu Dhabi International Airport is its main hub. It travels to 91 destinations across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific, and America. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan wanted an airline for Abu Dhabi. Hence, it issued a Royal Decree that established Etihad Airways. And, it eventually became the second flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. Commercial operations were launched in Beirut and Lebanon on 12 November 2003.
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Board Of Directors
Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei is the chairman of Etihad Airways. There is also a board of directors that governs the airlines.
It functions according to the founding legislation term and the Article of Association of the company.
There are seven independent non-executive members and two sub-committees, Executive Committee and Audit Committee.
Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Hamad Abdulla Al Shamsi, Mohamed Hareb Sultan Al Yousef, Ahmed Ali Matar Al Romaithi, and Khalifa Sultan Al Suwaidi are the other board members.
James Hogan, former CEO of Gulf Air led the Etihad Airways during the initial days. Tony Douglas is the current CEO of Etihad Group and was appointed in January 2018.
Features Of Etihad Airways
We will look into the various features of Etihad Airways in this review below.
Ticket option
Etihad Airways provides 4 different fare types for economy class, 2 for business class, and 1 for first class and The Residence. There are different types of benefits and flexibility included in these fare types. Carry-on and checked baggage is included for all fare types.
Advance Seat Selection
There is seat selection option which is free of cost from check in i.e. 24 hours before the flight. There are extra fees if according to the seat type selection prior to that period.
Baggage Fees and Carry-on Allowance
Baggage charges depends on the weight of the item and they use weight concept depending on the fare type. For economy class, all passengers can bring 1 personal item along with 1 piece of carry-on which should not be more than 7 kg/ 15 pounds.
Passengers can bring 2 pieces of carry-on with combined weight of 12 kg/25 pounds for the Business class, Etihad AirwaysFirst class and The Residence.
There are certain size restrictions of the airlines:
- Personal item size should be of 15.7 x 11.8 x 15.9 inches i.e. 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
- While for the carry-on it should be of 19.7 x 15.7 x 9.8 inches i.e. 50 x 40 x 25 cm.
Pet Transportation
Falcon can be transported in the cabin or as checked luggage by paying a certain amount of fee. Economy class passengers can transport 1 Falcon and Business and First class passengers can transport 2 Falcons.
If you are from the USA and own a Psychiatric pet, you may avail exemptions of extra pet fees. Here is how you do it!
Wi-Fi facility onboard
90 MB of Wi-Fi can be accessed free of cost by all passengers and additional Wi-Fi packages can be purchased like an ad-on.
Etihad Airline Lounges Review
There are some lounges of Etihad across Abu Dhabi and in some other parts of the world.
The lounges available in Abu Dhabi are:
- Abu Dhabi Business Class Lounges in Terminal 1 and 3B
- The Abu Dhabi First Class Lounge and Spa in Terminal 3
- Abu Dhabi Arrivals Lounge
- and Abu Dhabi U.S. Premium Lounge
Other Etihad Lounge outside of Abu Dhabi are:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Washington Dulles International Airport
- and Los Angeles International Airport.
Etihad Ethics
Their primary objective is to do business with the utmost integrity. Etihad is committed to doing what is right and just. They also follow the ethical code and conduct.
The ethics of Etihad has a good approach for its members, employees, and concerns. Hence, any stakeholders can raise concerns and report any complaints.
Etihad Amenities or Class Airways Review
There are different seat amenities and in-flight inclusions depending on the fare type. You can get different features for each class. Read below to learn about them.
For Economy Class
- Complimentary meals and beverages are available and that includes alcohol as well. Depending on the duration of the flight, one can avail the number of meals.
- Free Wi-Fi of 90 MB is accessible. One can purchase additional data by paying fee.
- For entertainment there is in-seat pitch screen. E-BOX Stream is also available to stream in your personal device.
- Power charging points are available.
- Blankets of full-size and fluffy pillows are also available.
- There are over 30 magazines in the e-library.
For Business Class
- Anytime dinning from an a` la carte menu.
- Priority check-in and boarding.
- Chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz.
- In-seat screen and other entertainment system with over 350 TV shows, 180 movies and live sports too.
- “The Lobby”, a unique socializing area is also available on the upper deck of the A380.
- Access to the Abu Dhabi Arrivals Lounge.
- Gives access to the Etihad airport lounge.
- It also provides earplugs, eye mask, signature fragrance, sock along with Acqua Di Parma amenity kit.
- Lie-flat beds, adjustable headrest, cushion and back support available.
- Seats amenities with recline and legroom on narrow-bodied aircraft
- Free 90 MB Wi-Fi available and also additional data available for free
For First Class
Etihad Airways first class has a remarkable review and gives a great experience to its customers. The services they provide gives good value for the money that you spend.
- Boutique wine list with pairing meal option.
- Priority check-in and boarding.
- Chauffeur-driven Mercedes- Benz.
- Apple Music accessibility.
- In-seat screen with entertainment system with more than 350 TV shows, live sports and 180 movies.
- Access to Etihad Airport Lounge, Abu Dhabi Arrivals Lounge and Abu Dhabi International Airport’s First Class Lounge and Spa.
- Noise cancellation headphones.
- ACQUA DI PARMA amenity kit with lip balm, cologne, body lotion, eye mask, sock, and toothbrush.
- Free 90 MB Wi-Fi with additional data for free.
- Onboard shower facility.
- “The Lobby”, a unique socializing area is accessible.
For The Residence
- Priority check-in and boarding.
- Chauffeur-driven Limousine.
- Luxury sleepwear.
- Private airport lounge in Abu Dhabi International Airport.
- VIP travel concierge.
- 3 room private apartment with double bed, in-suite shower room and a living area
- Dinning and wine pairing on demand
- Wi-Fi complimentary
- ACQUA DI PARMA amenity kit with cologne, lip balm, body lotion, toothbrush, sock and eye mask.
- Large screen with entertainment system with more than 350 TV shows, live sports and 180 movies.
- Access to the Abu Dhabi Arrivals Lounge. Cabinet for chilled refreshments
Here is a review of Etihad A380 by Casey about his experience in The Residence airways. It is probably one of the most expensive airline flight tickets in the world.
Performance and Safety
AirlineRatings.com has rated 7/7 to Etihad for its safety record. The airline safety ratings given by Etihad Airways customer review also add to the bonus points of the airline ratings.
There are also other thankyou points, membership rewards credit card from the airline credit card companies which are available through platinum card from American airlines.
Airport Ratings and Consumer Rankings
- Kayak Customer Rating has rated 7.3/10
- Skytrax Ranking has rated 4/5
- AirHelp.com has rated 7.35/10
- Tripadvisor Airline Review has rated Etihad Airways with 3.5/5.
Awards
- ‘World’s Leading Airline Award’ in 2019
- Title of ‘World’s Leading Airline In-flight Entertainment Award’ in 2019
- ‘World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience Award’ in 2019,
- and ‘World’s Leading Excellence In-flight Service Award’ in 2019.
Other awards include
- ‘Environmental Initiative of the Year’
- ‘Pride of Aviation Award’
- ‘Training Provider of the Year’.
Etihad Airways Wheelchair Assistance Review
Etihad Airways also offer wheelchair assistance on request. However, you will need medical clearance to fly for some conditions for the safety of other passengers. For instance, if you have an actively contagious condition or suffer from psychological conditions, you will need medical clearance to fly.
Etihad Airways Food Review
The food that you get in Etihad Airways is delicious. However, the food that you get will depend on the class of amenities that you choose. Here is another video on the food review of Etihad Airways on Economy class.
Pros and Cons of Etihad Airways
Like every coin has two sides, Etihad Airways also has its own set of plus points and minus points. Read the pros and cons review of Etihad Airways below.
Pros of Etihad Airways
- It is the second largest airline of the United Arab Emirates and also the national airline of United Arab Emirates.
- Etihad Airways has over 120 aircrafts of both Boeing and Airbus.
- The airway carries over 100 passengers and various cargo destinations in 55 different countries of the world.
- Presently it has over 5000 cabin crews working under its banner and they come from 110 different nationalities. 18.6 million Passengers worldwide were carried in the year 2019.
- Etihad Airways has number of ownership stakes in partner airlines like for instance, Jet Airways, Air Serbia, Virgin Australia, Niki, United Airlines, etc. Etihad Airways is globally known for its exceptional on-board services and various ‘A’ class amenities and facilities.
- It is fast and easy to book flights with Etihad Airways travel and also has good value for money.
- You also get membership rewards credit card for various purpose with your platinum credit card or gold card from american express.
- It also offers 2 for 1 Stopover.
Con’s of Etihad Airways
Etihad purchased ownership stakes in a number of airlines with a view to grow its route but this was not very successful as they had to face a huge financial loss. They lost about 808 million to Air Berlin and Alitalia in the year 2016.
Another drawback of Etihad Airways is that many passengers belonging to the economy class has a review that the business and the first class passengers have more attention and importance comparatively.
Etihad has somewhat been unsuccessful in maintaining consistency and momentum. Its reach has been limited or rather reduced to a certain point because of the fierce competition that has been going on. Also, it received a major backlash from various airlines in Europe. These are some factors that have pulled down the wings of Etihad Airways but hope is not lost yet.
Etihad in times of COVID 19
As the entire universe plunge into the chaos that COVID 19 brought with it. Etihad Airways was also grounded on 23 March 2020 due to covid19. Life came to a standstill but Etihad took hold of the negative situation and transformed it into something productive.
During these challenging times, Etihad worked on market conditions and regulatory framework. Also, one notable thing the Etihad Airways did during the pandemic was to organize Wellness program. This program was to help the Etihad guest with their health and overall wellbeing through the online mode, at the airport or on board.
For this a Wellness Ambassadors where introduced. It also completed the most extensive aircraft maintenance program in its history. They surgically and clinically refreshed all the existing 96 passenger aircraft.
Other minor fixation and maintenance activities were undertaken. Some of which were repairing of seats, in-flight entertainment System update, bringing forward scheduled engine changes and modifications.
Remarkable Acts During Covid19
Another remarkable act undertaken was to operate special freighter and humanitarian flights to various destinations where the airline has never flown to before in history. Those places include Europe, Africa, Asia, Havana and Costa Rica. Etihad Cargo was out for service when there was heavy demand for various medical supplies like the Personal Protective Equipment PPE kit, oxygen cylinders, and other pharmaceuticals.
Hope Consortium, an Abu Dhabi-led coalition is also form to facilitate the distribution of COVID vaccines across the globe and Etihad joined this humanitarian act.[s] Etihad launch ‘Project vision’ with the primary objective of envisioning what the travelers would want post-COVID from an airline.
During the pandemic, it became the first covid19 airlines in the world that required a negative PCR test report before travelling and testing again during arrival. In addition, it is the first airline in the world where all crew members on board were vaccinated.
Bottom Line
People usually board a flight for long distance travel, for business related or for vacations. And, flights are obviously the most comfortable and time saving means of transportation that people would go for. Etihad Airways being one of the most renowned airways, one can give it a try.
As per your liking and budget, you can book your tickets online as there are economy class, business class, first class and The Residence. It offers all kinds of luxurious and sophisticated amenities with world class service and hospitality that will leave you awestruck. It will give you a different feeling of traveling. You will not regret the amount spent for ticket because it is worth every penny spent.
If you are a travel freak, an adventurous human and you wish to travel. Or if you intend to go on a vacation or probably for a honeymoon to the UAE or other parts of the world then Etihad Airways is your next pick. It is also known for its safety priority. Not only does it provide top notch amenities but it is also highly regarded for its integrity. In addition, there are no fees for booking and you get a 2 for 1 Stopover Offer.
Also, it is important to regard the Etihad Airways and its humanitarian services that they extended to the world across during the most crucial period of COVID 19 outbreak. As their tagline states, ‘From Abu Dhabi to the World’ fly fearlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Etihad business class worth it?
The features that Etihad provides for its business class passengers are remarkable indeed. And, if your flight is in or out of Abu Dabhi, you get a luxurious experience at its lounge. You also get a variety of amenity kits and supports, hence, you get a comfortable flight for hours.
Is Etihad airways a good airline?
According to the customer review and personal experiences that are laid out by the passengers of Etihad Airways, the airline is considered to be a good airline. It is available for booking for someone who is on a budget or someone who has classy taste. There are also a couple of entertainment activities you can do on your flight.
Does Etihad fly to USA?
Yes, you can fly to the USA with Etihad Airways.
Do you need a Covid test to fly Etihad?
Yes, you must have a negative covid-19 PCR test if you want to fly with Etihad. However, if you are fully vaccinated, you don’t have to undergo isolation.
