Promo Radar™
List of promotions, sales, and discounts as announced by airlines.
We are currently monitoring over 150 carriers, including Etihad Airways.
updated November 27, 2023
What is the best time to book Etihad Airways flights?
The best time to book international Etihad Airways flights is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) is 4–6 months before takeoff. For Etihad domestic flights within United Arab Emirates, making a reservation from 4 to 8 weeks in advance is recommended.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches.Airlines such as Etihad Airways use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Etihad start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – the airline typically starts by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats.
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights with Etihad Airways, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, the airline starts dropping prices to stimulate demand. It may also offer promotions and sales (especially for flights departing from its hub in Abu Dhabi International Airport AUH). This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. The Emirati airline charges higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
Select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight to save on airfare. Etihad Airways often offers discounts on their first morning flight (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by Etihad for dates it expects to be popular. Avoid the high season during summer and major holidays, including holidays in the country you’re flying to.
Looking for cheaper flights? Get deal alerts to save 40% — 80% (free)
We are searching 24/7 for the best deals from all airlines, including Etihad Airways. Get our weekly deal alerts straight to your inbox, and start your vacation with an affordable flight!
- Every deal is 40% to 80% cheaper than the regular fare
- Including business class seats at the economy prices
- Ready to book on airline websites
Join 110,000+ savvy travelers:
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 airport — Abu Dhabi International Airport AUH — are typically priced lower due to the benefits of economies of scale and streamlined operations.
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.
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.
Overall 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:
- Deal Fare: 23 kg checked baggage
- Saver Fare: 30 kg checked baggage
- Classic Fare: 30 kg checked baggage
- 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 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.
Why are Etihad Airways flights so expensive in 2023?
Airfares soared in 2023. Etihad Airways flights are more expensive now due to rising demand, limited supply, inflation, fuel prices, closed airspace, and increased operational costs.
One key factor within your control is the timing of your booking. To save money on travel, it’s wise to plan ahead – the best time to book international flights with Etihad is between 2 to 8 months before your departure date.
The primary elements that impact the cost of flights:
- Rising demand With more people traveling in the post-pandemic era, airlines have no incentive to lower prices. Instead, they capitalize on spiked demand and raise prices to make up for lost revenue during the period of 2020-2022.
- Limited supply In 2023 Etihad Airways is still operating at reduced capacity after the pandemic. Staffing shortages of pilots, plane crew, and airport workers lead to flight cancellations and delays, affecting the supply even more. With fewer flights, the Emirati carrier charges more for the plane tickets that are available.
- Inflation Inflation has a significant impact on flight prices, as it directly increases the cost of fuel and labor for airlines. This can be particularly true for Etihad Airways that operates in countries with high inflation rates.
- Jet fuel costs Fuel is a significant airline cost, influenced by crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions. To cope with rising fuel prices, the airline may pass it on to travelers in the form of a fuel surcharge added to the ticket price.
- Closed airspace Avoiding airspace due to war, political conflicts, extreme weather, or natural disasters make airline tickets more expensive. Etihad Airways may be forced to take longer routes to reach the destination airport – which means higher fuel and labor costs.
- Etihad operating costs The costs of labor, aircraft maintenance, aircraft leasing or purchasing expenses, marketing, etc. significantly increased in 2023. As Etihad Airways aims to remain profitable, it must factor in these operating costs when setting ticket prices.
- Will flight prices go down in 2023?Historical trends suggest that airfare prices will fluctuate based on the factors described above. As long as the demand for travel is up, so is airfare. After tough years the Etihad Airways is in no position to offer discounts for passengers and will likely try to maximize profits in 2023.
Etihad Airways price history charts
and price-drop alerts
Understanding past airfare trends for your chosen Etihad flight route can help you forecast future prices and identify ideal booking times.
Google Flights is one of the best tools that provide access to price history — it tracks airfare fluctuations, predicts price changes based on historical data, and helps to pinpoint optimal booking times. In addition to viewing price history charts, you can set up price alerts for Etihad flights via email — and catch price drops as they happen.
While the tracking tools provide valuable insights on Etihad price history, they cannot guarantee future prices. They are also usually restricted to one particular route. For regular updates on price drops and deals across various popular destinations (holiday ideas!), consider Air Traveler Club — it’s free to join.
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.