Etihad Airways is the second-largest airline in the United Arab Emirates, and is based in Abu Dhabi. On the world stage, Etihad Airways is a relatively young airline, created in 2003 by Royal Decree. Today the airline flies to over 110 passenger and cargo destinations across six countries, with a young and environmentally friendly fleet of more than 120 aircraft.
One bonus of flying with Etihad Airways if you’re headed to the United States is that you can pass through the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Terminal 3 in Abu Dhabi Airport, and therefore when you arrive in the US you’ll save time as you enter the country like a domestic passenger.
Cabin Classes
Coral Economy Class
Etihad Airways' Coral Economy Class boasts a range of benefits that make it one of the world's most prestigious airlines. Guests flying in Coral Economy Class can expect spacious and ergonomic seats with a pitch up to 84 centimetres, three choices of high quality meals, complimentary bar service and in-seat power ability to charge personal electronic devices.
Pearl Business Class
Business Class with Etihad is not business as usual. We have created spaces where guests can work, rest and play. A luxurious and comfortable way to travel whether you are travelling on business or on holiday.
Comfortable seats, with in-seat massage facility, adjustable headrest and footrest, and on our A380/787 Dreamliner, adjustable seat firmness. Special mattress for bedtime comfort with complimentary loungewear and slippers on ultra-long-haul flights.
A Food & Beverage Manager to guide you through the extensive menu options and make wine and beverage recommendations. Our Flying Nanny provides a helping hand with the little ones on long-haul flights. Hundreds of hours of the latest movies, TV, music and games enjoyed through noise-cancelling headsets on a touch-screen TV of up to 18 inches. Exclusive amenity kit featuring carefully selected skincare products plus dental kit, socks, eyeshades and earplugs.
Etihad Business
Diamond First Class
We have taken the finest details of refined luxury from around the world and crafted a truly remarkable First Class experience. As a First Class guest, every element of your journey has been reimagined to make sure you experience the greatest levels of comfort.
Total privacy as you close your sliding doors to enjoy the most personal of spaces. Open the divider to join Suites/Apartments (A380) when you’re travelling together with a companion. An elegant fine dining experience with our seven course tasting menu or Signature Grill. Premium noise-cancelling headsets to watch the latest movies on a screen of up to 24 inches. A personal refreshments cabinet in your Suite/Apartment. Our Flying Nanny provides a helping hand with the little ones on long-haul flights. Turn-down service with stylish loungewear, all-natural mattress, duvet and bed linen, soothing pillow mist and pulse point oil. First Class bathroom with full height shower and exclusive amenities (A380).
Etihad First
The Residence
A truly unique and bespoke travel experience, delivered with complete discretion and limitless hospitality - The Residence. With a living room, separate bedroom and ensuite shower room, it is the only three-room suite on a commercial airline, designed for two people travelling together.
Three-room suite in the sky, designed for up to two guests travelling together. Living room with double-seat sofa, two dining tables and 32-inch flatscreen TV. Bedroom with 6-foot 8-inch double bed and 27-inch flatscreen TV. Ensuite bathroom with shower. VIP Travel Concierge service will take care of your booking. Etihad Butler, trained at the Savoy Butler Academy, to cater to your every need on board. An Inflight Chef will prepare an individual dining experience for you. Our Lifestyle Concierge team are on hand 24/7 to make plans for your arrival.
Entertainment Options
Coral Economy Class
Economy class in-flight entertainment comes standard with a 10.4-inch touch-screen that allows you to be in full control of your viewing. On-demand entertainment courtesy of the E-BOX system delivers the latest movies, TV shows, music and games right to your seat. Coral Economy Class guests can also charge their personal electronic devices including laptops or phones using the power sockets behind each headrest.
Pearl Business Class
Guests travelling in Peal Business Class with Etihad Airways are treated to 15-inch LCD TVs and noise-cancelling headsets to enhance the in-flight entertainment experience. Over 675 hours of hit television shows, classic movies and the latest music from around the world is loaded into the on-demand E-BOX system for your convenience, which can also be accessed using your personal devices.
Diamond First Class
In-flight entertainment for Diamond First Class guests includes a 23-inch widescreen for personal viewing using the E-BOX system, plus noise cancelling headphones and connectivity to power your personal electronic devices. First Class guests also receive mobile phone and Wi-Fi access on selected routes and aircrafts.
Baggage
Carry-On
Guests travelling in Coral Economy Class on Etihad Airways may take one carry-on bag weighing up to 7kg, while Pearl Business and Diamond First Class passengers are allowed two bags with a combined weight of 12kg.
If you're taking Duty Free shopping on board the aircraft, don't open the secure tamper-evident bag until you reach your final destination.
Checked
Coral Economy Class guests are allowed 30kg of checked luggage which can be dispersed across several bags, so long as no item exceeds 45cm x 72cm x 90cm.
Pearl Business Class passengers may take 40kg of checked baggage and Diamond First Class travellers receive a baggage allowance of 50kg. Each item of luggage must not exceed the above measurements.
Etihad Guest members receive increased checked luggage allowance dependent on their class of travel. For example, Etihad Guest Silver members travelling in Coral Economy are allowed 40kg of checked baggage, 50kg when travelling in Pearl Business and 60kg in Diamond First.
Checked Baggage allowances for US, Canada and Brazil
Guests travelling with Etihad Airways to or from the United States, Canada or Brazil have different checked baggage specifications to adhere to.
Coral Economy Class guests travelling to the US or Canada may take two 23kg bags, while Pearl Business and Diamond First Class travellers may take two checked bags weighing up to 32kg each. Pearl Business and Diamond First guests travelling to the US or Canada also receive an increased carry-on allowance of two bags with a combined weight of 12kg.
Coral Economy Class passengers travelling to or from Brazil may take two checked bags weighing up to 32kg each, while Pearl Business and Diamond First Class guests are allowed three checked bags up to 32kg each. Carry-on limits are increased for Pearl Business and Diamond First passengers as well, with the ability to take two bags adding up to 12kg in the cabin.
Excess baggage fees can be steep, so try to weigh your luggage at home or the hotel before you leave for the airport.
Bulky Items
Certain items such as sporting gear, musical instruments and film equipment can be taken as checked baggage provided they don't exceed the weight and size dimensions set by Etihad Airways. If the items are over the checked weight limit, they will be charged as excess baggage.
Bulky items that are accepted as checked baggage include snow skiing equipment, wind surfer kites, bicycles, golf clubs and saddles. Canoes, kayaks and vaulting poles are able to be taken as cargo and will need to be arranged separately to checked baggage.
You can purchase an extra seat in the cabin if you have a larger musical instrument you would like to carry with you.
Infant Baggage
Adults travelling with infants in any cabin class are able to take one extra handbag up to 5kg and one collapsible stroller or carry-cot as carry-on baggage in the cabin (provided there is space) or as checked baggage. Etihad Airways have a 'Flying Nanny' service on all long-haul flights: a dedicated childcare assistance program available both on-board and on the ground.
Before you fly, check with the airline to reserve an infant bassinet. Bassinets are made to suit infants up to 10kg or 10 months old.
Restricted or Dangerous Goods
There are several items that are strictly prohibited from being taken as either carry-on or checked baggage. These items include explosives, imitation explosive devices, aerosol spray paint, paint thinner, alcoholic beverages exceeding 70% by volume and any fireworks, flares or pyrotechnics (including party poppers and sparklers).
Certain objects are unable to be taken in the aircraft cabin but are allowed as checked baggage. This includes baseball/cricket bats, skateboards, tools with pointed or sharp edges, ice skates and fishing rods. For a full list of restricted items, please refer to the Etihad Airways website or contact your travel consultant.
Check-in
Check-in Online, in the City or at the Airport
Online check-in
Etihad Airways gives their guests the option of checking in online from 24 hours up to 2 hours before departure. Using your booking reference or Etihad Guest number on the Etihad Airways website, you can choose your seat and print your boarding pass at home to save time at their airport. Please note that online check-in is not available for codeshares.
City check-in
If you're flying with Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi or Dubai, you can check-in at one of the city check-in facilities. City check-in opens 24 hours prior to departure and is located at Abu Dhabi's City Terminal, directly opposite the Abu Dhabi Mall, and the Etihad Travel Mall on Sheik Zayed Road in Dubai.
Airport check-in
At the Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways travellers can check-in from three hours up to 60 minutes before departure time. Guests departing from the Abu Dhabi International Airport can also check-in at the Al Ain Airport anytime from 24 hours to 6 hours prior to their flight.
Lounges
Everything you could want or need prior to flying is yours on the house at the Etihad Lounge. Diamond First Class, Pearl Business Class and Etihad Guest Silver, Gold and Gold Elite members are granted access to Etihad Airways' luxurious lounge at their hub in Abu Dhabi, as well as at a selection of other locations and partner lounges around the globe.
First Class Lounge
Designed as the ultimate space to work or unwind before you take to the skies, Etihad Airways' First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi International Airport's Terminal 1 incorporates luxury in every detail. The Six Senses Spa offers a range of 15-minute treatments such as facials, foot scrubs and scalp massages, while the Champagne bar boasts the world's finest bubbly and a selection of top-shelf wines.
If you're travelling for business you can make good use of the Apple Mac computers with free high-speed internet, or enjoy the entertainment on offer with Bang & Olufsen flat screens and individual head sets. The first class service doesn't stop there, with a well-stocked cigar lounge and a la carte five-star restaurant, where meals are accompanied by wines hand-selected by experienced sommeliers.
Business Class Lounge
Etihad Airways' Business Lounge in Terminal 3 at the Abu Dhabi International Airport is all about comfort and convenience. Refresh before your flight with a shower as your shoes and polished and clothes neatly pressed, or pop into the Six Senses Spa for a therapeutic 15-minute treatment.
Five-star dining is on the menu with an international buffet and large range of wines from some of the best vineyards around the world, while the dedicated Family Room will keep the little ones entertained as you work or unwind in peace. Get down to business on the Apple Mac computers, with fax, telephone and printing facilities available to ensure you don't miss any deadlines.
Worldwide Lounges
Outside of Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways' Business and First Class Lounges are found at a handful of global destinations including Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Manchester, Paris and Washington.
Etihad Guest members are also granted access to a number of partner lounges worldwide thanks to Etihad Airways' codeshares. The list runs long and includes the likes of the Royal Orchid Lounge in Bangkok, Wingtips Lounge in New York and the Air New Zealand lounges in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Etihad Guest Loyalty Program
The Etihad Guest frequent flyer program has four unique tiers, each designed to reward loyal patronage and enhance your journey from start to finish. Moving up through the tiers is calculated by your mileage travelled as well as cabin class.
Membership Levels
Etihad Guest
From your very first flight you can enjoy immediate rewards by signing up to the Etihad Guest program. The Etihad Guest membership gives you access to the online Reward Shop where you can redeem Etihad Guest Miles for things such as holidays, fashion and more. You can also upgrade your flights using your miles, pool your points with family members and earn extra miles when you shop, stay or drive with Etihad Airways' partner businesses.
Etihad Guest Silver
To be upgraded to the Silver tier of the Etihad Guest program, 25,000 miles need to be accrued over a 12 month period. Silver tier membership gives you access to the Reward Shop, as well as waitlist priority for busy routes and a guaranteed Coral Economy seat even on sold out flights if you book with 48 hours notice.
Silver members are also able to upgrade to a higher cabin using their miles, receive an excess baggage allowance of 10kgs and have access to the Business Class Lounge. To maintain Silver status, you need to accrue 20,000 miles in the following year, which is made a little easier with 25% bonus miles for every Etihad Airways flight you book.
Etihad Guest Gold
Etihad Guest Silver members automatically achieve Gold status when they clock up 50,000 miles over 12 months. To keep Gold status, 40,000 miles need to be travelled but a 50% bonus on miles makes that even more achievable. Gold guests are given an extra 15kg baggage limit plus a guaranteed Coral Economy seat if booked with 24 hours notice.
Gold members receive all the benefits of Guest and Silver levels as well as priority check-in and boarding, fast-track immigration and a chauffeur service taking you door-to-door when you travel in Pearl Business or Diamond First Class.
Etihad Guest Platinum
The top tier of the Etihad Guest program is reached after 125,000 miles are accrued over a 12 month period. Exclusive benefits include all of those awarded for Guest, Silver and Gold levels, plus access to the prestigious Diamond First Class Lounge, an extra 20kg baggage allowance, first-class check-in and a guaranteed Pearl Business Class seat if booked with 48 hours notice.
To keep Platinum status, 100,000 miles must be earned in the following year but there is a 75% bonus on miles to help keep you on track. A member of your family also receives complimentary Silver status.