Tag Archives: Etihad Airways

Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways,  concluded 2020 with a positive outlook following a series of corporate social responsibility activations and member initiatives. During 2020, the programme and its members donated 48 million miles to support relief campaigns for COVID-19, Australia’s bushfires and the explosion in Beirut. In addition to this, multiple projects were launched to support and reward loyalty members globally. Etihad Guest and its members donated 23 million miles to buy ventilators, masks and soaps for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, 22 million miles supported Australia’s bushfires which equated to feeding over 1,100 koalas for one year, and 3 million miles were used to support home renovations following the Beirut explosion, in addition to food, medical and hygiene supplies. Throughout 2020, Etihad Guest continued its transformation journey to enhance its customer experience and as a result of the pandemic, evolved with the changing landscape. To recognise members who were unable to travel, Etihad Guest gifted monthly bonus Tier Miles to ensure guest statuses were not downgraded, reduced the tier requirements and provided various Tier Miles promotions. Expired miles were also reinstated, transferring to friends and family enabled and the GuestSeat change fee was removed. Kim Hardaker, Head of Loyalty & Partnerships, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Last year, Etihad Guest focused on delivering the greatest flexibility and support for members around the globe. The programme expanded customer choice, connectivity, and convenience by growing its partnerships with Aldar, Miral, Majid Al Futtaim and ADNOC. This year, Etihad Guest will continue to leverage those partnerships and form new collaborations to provide our members with more benefits both on the ground and in the air.”

Etihad Airways is encouraging residents to celebrate the start of the New Year with the launch of its New Year’s Sale – get two tickets for the price of one. To give guests peace of mind and to offer an extra level of reassurance to travel, Etihad is the only airline in the world requiring 100% of its passengers to show a negative PCR test before departure, and on arrival in Abu Dhabi. Travellers can jet off any time before June 15, 2021, and lay back and relax at a luxury resort, explore ancient architecture or spend the weekend discovering a new city. Fares from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul start from just AED 1,790, Dublin from AED 3,830 and Toronto from AED 5,790. The sale extends across all of Etihad’s cabins, with return Business fares starting from AED 8,750 out of Abu Dhabi to Maldives and AED 10,370 from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul.Flying to, from, and via Abu Dhabi is supported by the airline’s fully redesigned Etihad Wellness sanitisation and safety programme, which ensures the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at every stage of the customer journey. This includes specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, who have been introduced by the airline to provide essential travel health information and care on the ground and on every flight, so guests can fly with greater ease and confidence. All passengers travelling with Etihad receive complimentary COVID-19 insurance. The sale starts on Tuesday, 5 January 2021 and ends on Wednesday, January 13 at etihad.com. This offer is valid only for one guest and a companion. Booking for the companion must be made in the same transaction, and the companion …

As the entry restrictions into Abu Dhabi relaxes, international tourists, residents and travellers from selected destinations, flying with Etihad Airways, will be allowed to enter the emirate without the need to self-isolate for 14 days. The list of countries eligible for entry without quarantine, referred to as ‘green’ countries, will be reviewed by the Department of Health on a two-week rolling basis. Travellers from ‘green’ countries will need to self-isolate until they receive a negative PCR test result. Those entering the Emirate from countries not on the ‘green’ list will be subject to a reduced quarantine period of 10 days. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “With Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19, the approach to managing the pandemic has positioned the capital as one of the safest cities in the world to visit. The gradual reopening of our border cements the rigorous health and safety measures we have implemented across the airline. We can proudly say Etihad has played its part, by positioning ourselves as an industry leader, ensuring guests travelling with us do so with complete peace of mind.” “As we approach the winter break and get ready to mark the end of a challenging year, the time to welcome the world to Abu Dhabi is now. We are tremendously grateful for the ongoing support of the Abu Dhabi authorities and will continue to work closely with them to ensure the highest level of safety measures are maintained,” Douglas added.

Etihad Airways has expanded its business with the launch of charter and special flight services. Fully customisable, business and leisure guests can choose from a variety of flight options including a dedicated passenger service, cargo only flight or a combined passenger and cargo package. Alex Featherstone, Vice President Network Planning & Alliances, Etihad Airways, said, “While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the commercial aviation industry, charter flights provide a convenient alternative to travel, providing customers with the flexibility to choose the departure time, destination and routing.” This year, Etihad has flown over 500 charters including passenger, government and humanitarian flights. Over 3.8M tonnes of cargo has been transported for the government of Abu Dhabi as part of the national aid programme using charter services. Etihad Wellness, the airline’s health and safety programme, ensures the highest standards of hygiene are maintained on charters flights at every stage of the customer journey. This includes specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, who have been introduced by the airline to provide essential travel health information and care on the ground and on every flight. As part of the Etihad Wellness programme, global COVID-19 insurance cover is included for all passengers travelling with Etihad. Etihad also charters flights for sports teams including a last-minute flight for Manchester City Football Club in 2019 to help them continue the Asia pre-season tour after they faced a delay on their initial journey.

Etihad Airways will resume passenger flights from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, to Istanbul, Turkey. The service will operate with an initial twice weekly flight using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring Business and Economy cabins. Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Sales and Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “As Etihad gradually returns more destinations to its global network, the airline is looking forward to the resumption of scheduled services to Istanbul. As the network continues to be built back up, Etihad ensures a secure and hygienic flying environment across the entire guest journey. Over the last few months, the airline has seized every opportunity to improve processes, including the introduction of free PCR testing for guests departing the UAE and free COVID-19 insurance for all passengers globally.” Guests travelling on Etihad Airways flights will be required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result received within 96 hours prior to departure from Abu Dhabi, or from their departure airport if they are transferring from other cities via Abu Dhabi.In the UAE, guests travelling to all Etihad Airways destinations can make use of a free testing service between 48 to 96 hours prior to departure with Life Medical Diagnostic Center (Life Dx). Travellers flying First or Business will also have the option of selecting tests at their home. The quick and easy process can be booked directly with Life Dx.

Etihad Airways announced that all guests flying from the United Kingdom from December 24, 2020 to present a negative PCR test within 72 hours validity of their flight departure time. Etihad is the only airline in the world requiring 100% of its passengers to show a negative PCR test before travelling and again on arrival into Abu Dhabi, ensuring peace of mind for all on board. PCR tests must be conducted at a government accredited medical facility. Suggested facilities can be found at etihad.com. As many COVID-19 PCR test certificates do not currently show the date and time the test was taken, guests are required to show evidence of this at check-in, for example by presenting their appointment confirmation. Children under 12 and people with severe and moderate disabilities are exempt from COVID-19 PCR testing. Etihad Wellness, the airline’s health and safety programme, ensures the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at every stage of the customer journey. This includes specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, who have been introduced by the airline to provide essential travel health information and care on the ground and on every flight. As part of the Etihad Wellness programme, global COVID-19 insurance cover is included for all passengers travelling with Etihad.

Etihad Airways officially inaugurated the latest aircraft in its journey towards sustainability, with the pioneering 2020 ecoDemonstrator entering commercial service following a series of industry-leading test flights across the United States. The aircraft, a brand-new Boeing 787-10 registered A6-BMI, is the latest arrival to Etihad’s 39-strong fleet of 787 Dreamliners, making the UAE national airline one of the world’s largest operators of the technologically advanced aircraft type. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “As the first 787-10 to take part in the ecoDemonstrator programme, this very special aircraft stands testament to the innovation and drive for sustainable aviation that forms a core element of Etihad’s values and long-term vision. This is in line with the tremendous strides being made by Abu Dhabi, and the UAE, in the research and development of viable solutions to combat climate change. “Etihad’s partnership with Boeing, and participation in the programme with NASA and Safran, is one the UAE’s national airline is incredibly proud of. This exciting and progressive programme will have a real-world impact on our industry as part of Etihad’s GreenlinerProgramme and demonstrates Etihad’s ambitious sustainability strategy. As a prime example of industry collaboration, this aircraft is a unique example of how the aviation industry can come together for a more sustainable future.” “Boeing’s partnership with Etihad Airways on this year’s ecoDemonstrator program elevated the strategic sustainability alliance we formed last year to a whole new level,” said Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. “Collaborations like these are invaluable to accelerate innovation that further enhances the safety and sustainability of flying. The testing we conducted, in partnership with NASA and Safran Landing Systems, will benefit aviation and …

Etihad Airways joined the £65 million Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) consortium, due to open next year at Cranfield University in the UK. As the first airline to join the DARTeC consortium and a leading industry innovator, Etihad’s expertise across the fundamental fields of sustainability, operational efficiency, safety and improved passenger experience will lend valuable insight and real-world operational capability to the DARTeC initiative. Specific topics Etihad and DARTeC will collaborate on include: reducing aircraft emissions both in the air and on the ground; creating safe, secure and efficient airspace; better understanding of whole-life sustainability impacts of aircraft; enhancing the passenger experience; and increasing the reliability and availability of aircraft. Professor Graham Braithwaite, Project Lead and Director of Transport Systems at Cranfield, said, “As an innovative airline focused on the future challenges of safety, efficiency and sustainability, there is much overlap between Etihad’s aims and the research themes of DARTeC. We look forward to working together to deliver the innovation required to enable the industry to ‘build back better’ from Covid-19.” Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Etihad has long been known as a leader for innovation in aviation and our role in the consortium reinforces our commitment to driving the industry forward through technology, and corporation. “As an innovative, future-focused carrier, membership of DARTeC is a natural fit for Etihad, providing a unique opportunity to expand exploration of key topics across sustainability, safety and passenger experience with industry leading partners. With this new partnership we hope to bring the best ideas, approaches and projects to Etihad to ultimately ensure that our operations are cutting edge and that our Guests have the best possible …

Etihad Airways will commence another service from China, with flights from Beijing to Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, from December 7. The service will operate with a weekly flight using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, featuring Etihad’s award-winning Business and Economy cabins. Etihad resumed services between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai in late July this year, which has helped meet the large demand from travellers in the UAE, China, and other countries in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. With the second weekly flight added to Etihad’s global network, the airline becomes the only carrier in the MENA region operating non-stop passenger flights departing from both Shanghai and Beijing. Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Sales & Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “China continues to be a strategically important market for Etihad and resuming an additional passenger route connecting China with Abu Dhabi is a welcome development. Being granted the rights to operate the second weekly flight by the Chinese government was huge recognition of the unrelenting joint efforts by the airline, testing institutions in the UAE, and the authorities in both countries, in the battle against COVID-19.Etihad is tremendously grateful for the support of the authorities, its customers and partners, and its employees in these most challenging of times, and Etihad stands ready to fly more frequently to China when possible.”

EL AL Israel Airlines are set to explore deeper cooperation following the signing of a virtual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).The wide-ranging MOU covers scope to introduce joint codeshare services between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, as well as on the global flight networks beyond the two carriers’ hubs. The MOU also contains plans for greater commercial cooperation in the fields of cargo, engineering, loyalty, destination management and the optimal use of pilot and cabin crew training facilities. Etihad Airways announced its intention this week to commence daily services between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv from 28 March 2021. The MOU was signed ‘virtually’ by Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, and Gonen Usishkin, Chief Executive Officer of EL AL Israel Airlines. Tony Douglas said, “Following EL AL’s historic flight to Abu Dhabi, the first ever flight between Israel and the UAE, this MOU is the foundation of what we envision will be a strong ongoing relationship between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv. We look forward to examining ways in which the two flag carriers – Etihad and EL AL – can work more closely together to improve business operations and enhance the experience for our guests. Gonen Usishkin said, “Following the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE, we have been provided a great opportunity to examine the possibility of cooperation with Etihad Airways. This MOU is only the start and we believe that together, the two flag carriers will be able to provide our mutual customers with the best possible product and service. Already, the common goals we have outlined speak for the success of our future cooperation.”