How to get cheap flights
MethodWhy it worksSavings
Booking directly with airlineOTAs and travel agents often up the price by adding a service fee2% — 10%
Flying on weekday
Weekend flights tend to cost slightly more More →5% — 10%
Group bookingAirlines offer discounts for groups of 9+ travelers More →5% — 20%
Layovers / stopoversNon-direct flights with layovers/stopovers often offer lower fares10% — 20%
Flying early morning
Lower demand for flights departing 1am - 5am15% — 20%
Early booking
As departure day nears, airfares start to rise More →10% — 30%
Flying during low-seasonLess demand = lower prices10% — 30%
Booking round-trip flightsAirlines encourage longer commitment by offering discount10% — 35%
Frequent flyer programsAirlines offer discounts to foster customer loyalty10% — 40%
Sales and promotionsAirlines often offer special promotions to boost demand Promotions →10% — 50%
SuperDealsExpert-picked deals are much cheaper due to insider knowledge SuperDeals →40% — 80%
Air Traveler Club™Free newsletter with airline sales, promotions, and SuperDeals Sign up →40% — 80%

Why is Etihad Airways so cheap on ATC?

Etihad Airways can be extremely cheap when you seize opportunities such as ‘mistake fares‘, sudden price drops, sales and promotions or employ strategies like hidden city ticketing. Moreover, Etihad Airways flights associated with their main Emirati hub airportAbu Dhabi International Airport AUH — are typically priced lower due to the benefits of economies of scale and streamlined operations.

Airline flight super deals
A few examples of SuperDeals sent to ATC subscribers.

Air Traveler Club has a team of experts who diligently monitor for price reductions, promotional offers (often not widely advertised), under-the-radar airline sales, and other potential savings on flights. In the case of Etihad, we particularly focus on tracking prices for flights originating from their Abu Dhabi hub.

These valuable findings are then promptly relayed to our subscribers as exclusive SuperDeals.

Join for free

Etihad Airways reviews 2023,A.I. summary

We let the A.I. analyze thousands of Etihad reviews for an averaged, more accurate rating and opinion. Please note: this is an experimental feature.

★★★★☆ 4/5 good

Overall rating

Airline services rating
Baggage handling★★★★☆
Seat comfort★★★★☆
Food
★★★★☆
Entertainment★★★★☆
Crew★★★★☆
Customer support★★★☆☆

Is Etihad Airways a good airline?

Yes, Emirates is perceived as a good airline because of its excellent in-flight service, luxurious amenities, and award-winning in-flight entertainment system — even in economy class. The airline’s iconic multi-lingual cabin crew from over 130 nationalities provide unmatched hospitality, while the regionally inspired gourmet cuisine ensures that passengers are well-fed during their flight.

Passengers report a seamless booking and check-in process, along with efficient boarding. Etihad’s advanced and well-maintained fleet, featuring the latest Airbus and Boeing planes, offers comfort, clean seats, and reliability.

Some passengers, however, have mixed opinions about the transfer service and customer support.

Strengths

  • Cabin comfort and cleanliness: Passengers often mention the comfort and cleanliness of Etihad’s cabins, praising the airline for maintaining a high standard of hygiene and providing ample legroom and comfortable seating.
  • Quality of food and beverages: The airline’s food and beverages are consistently highlighted in reviews. The meals served on Etihad flights are high quality, and passengers appreciate the variety and taste.
  • Crew service: The enthusiasm, friendliness, and language skills of the Etihad crew stand out. Passengers feel well-cared for, noting the crew’s attentive and professional demeanor.

Weaknesses

  • Customer support: Some passengers have raised concerns about Etihad’s customer support quality, citing difficulties in communication and resolving issues.
  • Transfer service: There have been mixed reviews regarding the transfer service, with travelers facing inconveniences during their Abu Dhabi International Airport transit.
  • Onboard Wi-Fi: Despite the availability of Wi-Fi on Etihad flights, the connectivity can be inconsistent, impacting their inflight experience.

Passenger's experience

Is Etihad Airways a budget airline?

No, Etihad Airways is not a budget airline but a traditional, full-service carrier. It is one of the largest airlines in United Arab Emirates, and it offers a broad spectrum of services that distinguish it from budget airlines. These include free checked baggage, complimentary meals and beverages (even in Economy), on-board amenities (blankets, pillows, sometimes noise-cancelling headphones) on long-haul flights, and a wide range of in-flight entertainment.

Furthermore, Etihad provides multiple travel classes, such as Economy, Business, First — each with varying levels of comfort, space, and amenities. In contrast, budget airlines typically offer only Economy class with minimal benefits.

What can I expect when flying with Etihad?

When flying with Etihad Airways, you can expect superior in-flight service, which includes gourmet food, premium entertainment options, and high-end amenities.

Etihad provides access to many global destinations, a comprehensive E-BOX inflight entertainment system, and a selection of meals catering to various dietary needs. Regardless of the cabin class, comfort is a priority, with ample legroom in Economy and fully flat beds in Business or First Class.

The professional and friendly cabin crew ensures a pleasant experience. To stay connected, onboard Wi-Fi is available for a fee, and the Etihad Guest Program allows earning and redemption of miles. Premium lounges in select airports offer a luxurious pre-flight experience.

What are the seating options?

Etihad Airways offers various seating options across its fleet, designed to cater to different passenger needs and preferences.

  • Economy Class: Etihad’s Economy Class offers comfortable seating with ample legroom. The seats feature adjustable back support, and passengers can enjoy a wide range of entertainment on personal screens.
  • Economy Space: This option provides extra legroom in the Economy cabin, which can be particularly useful for passengers with children or those who desire more space to stretch out during the flight.
  • Business Class: Etihad’s Business Class provides flat-bed seats, direct aisle access, and increased privacy. Passengers can also enjoy premium dining options and a wide array of entertainment options.
  • First Class: First Class passengers can expect a luxury experience. This includes private suites with a Poltrona Frau leather armchair and a separate bed, personal wardrobes, vanity units, and an inflight Chef to personalize meals.
  • The Residence: Available on their A380 aircraft, The Residence is Etihad’s most luxurious offering. It includes a living room, separate bedroom, and en-suite shower room, offering an unmatched level of privacy and comfort.

Is Etihad Airways economy comfortable?

Etihad Airways’ Economy Class is considered to be comfortable compared to many other airlines.

Etihad provides sufficient legroom and adjustable back support in their Economy seats. The seats also have personal entertainment screens with a variety of options to help pass the time. Some planes offer “Economy Space” seats with extra legroom for an additional fee.

How to get an extra legroom seat on Etihad Airways plane?

Securing an extra legroom seat on a Etihad Airways plane requires some planning and flexibility, but you can easily score one of these seats by familiarizing yourself with the cabin layout and checking in for your flight early. You may also consider paying for an upgrade to a seat with ample legroom and enhanced comfort.

As the location of the extra legroom seats varies depending on the aircraft, we recommend visiting the SeatGuru website. By simply entering your Etihad flight number, you can access a detailed seat map specific to your flight. Hover over individual seats to identify those with ample legroom. They are often found in exit rows, bulkhead rows (the first row in each cabin section), or other designated areas that offer additional legroom.

Due to their desirable features, the preferred seats are in high demand. They are often limited in number and typically incur additional fees. Seats with extra legroom located in front and exit rows ("hot seats") are priced higher. However, for medium– and long–haul flights, the additional cost of $10-$50 may be worth the increased comfort. Hot seats typically provide at least 36 inches of legroom (4-6 inches more than standard economy seats), wider seat pitch, and may also have adjustable footrests and recline further back.

Paying for an extra legroom seat is usually a more affordable option than upgrading to a Premium Economy.

What is the baggage allowance?

The general baggage allowance rules for Etihad Airways were as follows:

  • Economy Class:
    1. Deal Fare: 23 kg checked baggage
    2. Saver Fare: 30 kg checked baggage
    3. Classic Fare: 30 kg checked baggage
    4. Flex Fare: 35 kg checked baggage
  • Economy Space: The baggage allowance for Economy Space is the same as the corresponding Economy Class fare.
  • Business Class: Up to 40 kg of checked baggage
  • First Class: Up to 50 kg of checked baggage
  • The Residence:Up to 4 pieces of checked baggage, up to 32 kg each.

In addition to checked baggage, passengers are allowed one cabin bag (up to 7 kg for Economy and 12 kg for Business, First Class, and The Residence) and a personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag onboard.

Does Etihad Airways have Wi-Fi?

Etihad Airways offers inflight Wi-Fi on many of its flights.

This allows passengers to stay connected with internet access, send emails, use social media, and more while in the air. The availability and cost of Wi-Fi can vary depending on the flight.

Does Etihad Airways have refundable tickets?

Etihad Airways does offer refundable tickets, but whether a ticket is refundable or not largely depends on the fare rules associated with the specific ticket type you purchase. Here are the general categories:

  • Economy Deal Fare: These are usually the most restrictive fares and typically are not refundable.
  • Economy Saver Fare: These fares might allow refunds, but a substantial cancellation fee may apply.
  • Economy Classic Fare: These tickets are usually refundable, but a cancellation fee may still apply.
  • Economy Flex Fare: These are the most flexible Economy fares, and refunds are typically allowed with a lower cancellation fee compared to other fare types.
  • Business Class Fares: Refund policies for Business Class tickets can vary, but typically they are refundable, potentially subject to a cancellation fee.
  • First Class Fares: These are typically the most flexible and refundable tickets offered by Etihad.

How do I obtain my Etihad Airways boarding pass?

Etihad Airways boarding pass is a travel document that contains crucial information about your flight, confirms your seat and allows you to board the plane. It includes the passenger’s name, flight number, boarding time, boarding zone, gate number, seat number, and other essential flight details. The Etihad Airways boarding pass can be in paper or electronic format. The boarding pass is issued during check-in — online on the airline's website (usually available 24 hours before the flight), its mobile app (mobile boarding pass) or at the airport. You can print your boarding pass at home or use a mobile app to store the digital boarding pass on your smartphone. Alternatively, you can check in at the airport, where the airline's representative will issue the boarding pass for you.

How to check Etihad flight status?

If you have the flight number at hand, you can conveniently check the Etihad flight status on the airline’s website. Visit the flight status page to get the reliable information regarding the scheduled and actual departure and arrival times.

There are several online platforms where you can check the status of Etihad Airways flight: FlightRadar24, FlightStats, or FlightAware. They offer comprehensive information about any flight (regardless of the airline) – including real-time flight tracking.

Alternatively, input your flight number directly into Google's search bar. Drawing data from diverse sources (including the airlines themselves), Google will provide you with all the crucial flight information right on the search results page.

Etihad Airways profile

Airline profile
Full nameEtihad Airways
IATA codeEY
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
Commenced operations2003
Typefull-service
Cabin classesEconomy, Business, First
Subsidiaries
Subsidiary of
Airline alliancenone
Frequent flyer programEtihad Guest
HubsAbu Dhabi International Airport AUH
Main destinations
Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates United Kingdom, United States
Fleet size85
Aircraft

Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 787-10

Official Websitehttps://www.etihad.com

Etihad Airways shortcuts

Essential links to Etihad Airways official website.

Etihad Airways flight booking

Search Etihad Airways flights and book your Economy, Business, First class ticket online.

Online check-in

How to check-in and receive your Etihad Airways boarding pass?

Etihad Airways baggage policy

Learn about checked and hand luggage regulations on Etihad Airways flights.

Flexible tickets

Want to change your flight? Etihad Airways flexible booking offer and policies.

Refunds and cancellations

Guidelines on returning a Etihad Airways ticket and getting your money back.

Etihad Airways help & support

Get in touch with the airline: customer service numbers, call centers, offices, and more.

Etihad Airways tips

How to ensure smooth transit between Etihad Airways connecting flights

Before your trip, research your connecting airport. Familiarize yourself with its layout, terminals, amenities, and the location of your connecting gate. This will save you time and stress during your layover. Every airport has a minimum connection time — make sure your layover is longer than this minimum time.

Additionally:

  • You may need to move between terminals if you have a connecting flight with a different airline or separate point-to-point tickets with Etihad Airways. Each flight may require individual check-in procedures and an additional pass through security. As your luggage may not be automatically transferred to your final destination, you’ll need to retrieve your bags and check them in again for your subsequent flight.
  • When flights are booked on separate tickets, Etihad Airways is not responsible if you miss your connection due to a delay with the first flight. Allow plenty of buffer time between flights to account for any potential delays.
  • Gate assignments can change. Regularly check the flight information boards to ensure you’re in the right place.
  • If your airport connection is tight (1-hour layover or less), pick a set near the front of the plane. It can shave 5–10 minutes off your deplaning time, especially on larger planes. Consider purchasing “hot seats” if available on your plane — they cost extra, but it may be worth it.
  • When flying domestically, try not to book the last flight out of your connecting airport. In case of a cancellation, the airline will put you on its next flight, but it will require an overnight stay and arrival a day later.
  • Flights can be delayed or canceled. Have a backup plan in case you miss your connecting flight. Know your rights and the Etihad policy on missed connections.

Booking group flights with Etihad Airways

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights with Etihad Airways can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the group size and travel dates and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Etihad Airways website typically limits automatic group bookings to 9 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline directly.

A travel agent may be better if you want more personalized service. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates for Etihad Airways and can help with logistics and scheduling.

There is no Premium Economy on Etihad Airways fights

Etihad Airways does not offer a Premium Economy Class on its flights. The lack if the “Economy Plus” is part of its current business model, as the airline may see only a limited demand for this product.

The concept of Premium Economy has gained significant popularity among airlines in recent years. This cabin class, situated between Economy and Business Class, offers a middle-ground option for passengers seeking enhanced comfort and amenities without the higher price tag. With features such as extra legroom, wider seats, upgraded dining options, and priority boarding, Premium Economy cabin provides a more enjoyable travel experience — and still affordable for most people.

If you’d like to upgrade to a premium seat on a Etihad Airways flight, consider the viable alternative: hot seats.