Airline banner image
Etihad Airways logo in white rounded container

Search & book flights with Etihad Airways

Instant booking confirmation
Cancellation Protection available
Expert customer service

Trusted globally

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot

We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines

Buy Etihad Airways Flights with Alternative Airlines

Etihad Airways is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates with its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and its operational base at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The airline was first established in 2003 by Emiri decree, with the vision to become the best airline in the world and connect Abu Dhabi to the rest of the world.

Etihad Airways is a world-renowned airline known for its luxury and revolutions in the aviation industry. Although based in Abu Dhabi, the airline has signed numerous codeshare agreements with many airlines including Aegean Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Middle East Airlines, Asiana Airlines and many others. Etihad has even signed codeshare partners with other transportation companies including France's national rail company SNCF.

Etihad Airlines operates a young and fuel-efficient fleet of Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft on their routes. The airline offers outstanding guest hospitality with over 600 hours of in-flight entertainment and competitive fares. Etihad Airways business class lounge is situated opposite the gates that are most frequently used by Etihad. Inside the lounge, you can relax and enjoy treatments from their six senses spa and also enjoy 5-star dining supported by their open kitchen. A prayer room, a modern business centre and full washroom facilities are available.

Etihad Airways had a subsidiary, Etihad Regional which had services in and around Europe until 2017. The airline has also formed a joint venture with fellow Emirati airline Air Arabia, forming Air Arabia Abu Dhabi.

Baggage Policy

The Etihad Airways baggage allowance rules vary depending on the cabin class you're flying in and your destination. Read on to find out more about Etihad's carry-on and checked baggage rules.

Carry-on Baggage

Passengers flying on Etihad Airlines in Economy class are allowed to bring one item of carry-on baggage that can't weigh more than 7kg. Passengers flying in Business Class on Etihad Airways can bring two pieces of carry-on baggage that must not be heavier than the combined weight of 12kg. All carry-on baggage must fit within the dimensions of 50 x 40 x 25cm, regardless of which class you're flying in.

In addition, passengers are allowed one personal item, weighing a maximum of 5kg. This item must not exceed the dimensions 50 x 40 x 25cm.

Checked Baggage

If you're flying to or from Canada and the USA on Etihad Airways, your checked baggage must fit within the dimensions of 50 x 70 x 38 cm. For all other destinations, your baggage must fit within the dimensions 45 x 72 x 90 cm. No single item of baggage can exceed the weight of 32kg.

The weight that passengers are allowed is dependent on the route travelling and the fare purchased. Check this link to see the allocated baggage allowance for your flight, by clicking on your route travelling and looking at your fare.

Check-In

Online check-in and airport check-in are available for Etihad flights. Keep reading to find out the specific opening and closing times for both online and airport check-in with the airline.

Online Check-In

To check-in for your Etihad Airways flight, please visit our online check-in page and click on the Etihad logo. Online check-in with Etihad Airlines is available from 2 days before your flight up until 1 hour before your flight. Just enter your last name and booking reference or ticket number on the Etihad Airways check-in page to access your booking, manage your booking and check-in online. You can either print your boarding pass or download it to your mobile. Etihad Airlines also offers an app, which you can alternatively choose to check in via. Simply follow the steps as you would online and download your boarding card to your phone.

Airport Check-In

If you're checking in at the airport, please make sure you allow plenty of time to check-in. Etihad Airways check-in desks open no later than three hours before flight departure time and often close one hour before flight departure time for economy passengers, and often 45 minutes before departure for first and business-class passengers. Please be aware that these are general rules and passengers should click here to see the opening and closing times of the check-in desks to ensure they do not miss check-in.

Cabin Classes

There are four cabin classes that Etihad Airways offers. These are Economy, Economy Space & Economy Neighbour-Free, Business and First Class. Read on to find out more about each class, including the in-flight experience, seating and facilities.

Economy Class

With full-size blankets, pillows and smart seats, Etihad Economy Class is a comfortable way to fly.

Economy Class Facilities

Pillows and blankets are included in Economy Class. On long-haul Etihad flights, you can choose to buy Christian Lacroix sleepwear for USD $35 or his and hers amenity kits for USD $22. Dental kits and eye masks are free and available on request.

In-flight entertainment is available on either an 11-inch touch-screen or a 10.6-inch-screen TV depending on whether you choose an Economy Smart Seat or Economy Seat). Boutique Magazines are also available for economy-class passengers.

Buy items onboard and complimentary bar service of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Etihad Airways Economy Class Seats

Etihad has redesigned its Economy Class seats to provide maximum comfort. The seats on their long-haul aircraft feature a winged headrest allowing you greater levels of comfort when sleeping during your flight.

Choose from Economy Seat or Economy Smart seats on the A350s and 787 Dreamliners with tv screens for added entertainment included.

You can choose a preferred seat, to have a standard seat, neighbour-fee or have extra legroom.

Economy Space & Economy Neighbour-Free

Etihad Airlines doesn't offer a Premium Economy product. However, they do offer passengers an 'Economy Space' and 'Economy Neighbour-Free' product.

Economy Space & Economy Neighbour-Free Facilities

The facilities in Economy Space and Economy Neighbour-Free are similar to those found in Economy Class. An overnight package is given to those on long-haul flights and each seat is fitted with a personal TV screen with Etihad's inflight entertainment. Complimentary snacks and drinks are also offered on board.

Economy Space Seats

Economy Space seats give passengers extra space, with up to 36 inches of legroom on offer. These seats are available on the airline's Airbus A320 family, A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft.

Economy Neighbour-Free Seats

Economy Neighbour-Free allows passengers to bid on their surrounding Economy seats, to give them up to three times more space. Passengers can bid on up to three seats surrounding their seat, if the bid is won, then these seats will remain passenger free for the duration of the flight.

Business Class

Business Studios are available on the A350 and 787 Dreamliners, focused on providing a luxurious experience.

Business Class Facilities

In-flight, relax with personal mood-lighting and a massage function, all provided at the touch of a button. Wi-Fi connectivity is provided, as well as touch screen/high definition TVs, with noise cancelling headphones and a Dine Anytime menu. The amenity kit includes two exclusive Colonia products.

Business Class Seats on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The Business studios have a unique design, with forward and rear-facing seats, aimed at offering increased personal space. On wide-bodied aircraft, Business flatbed seats recline into a fully-flat bed, with full-size comforters and pillows, back support, and adjustable headrest and cushion firmness!

Business Class Seats on the Airbus A350

Etihad has released a new version of its Business Studio, all forward-facing with direct aisle access. The seats are plush, upholstered leather seats with similar characteristics to the airline's 787 business class. However, on the A350, each seat will have a cabin door increasing the levels of privacy and comfort for the travelers.

Business Class Seats on the Airbus A320 Family

On narrow-body aircraft, Business Seats offer a generous recline as well as ample legroom.

First Class

Etihad Airways First Class cabin is dedicated to supplying the highest standard of inflight comfort and service, no matter whether it's on short-haul or long-haul flights.

First Class Facilities

All First Class passengers are entitled to Etihad's Chauffeur service, which is available in the UAE. Passengers can also enjoy a dedicated check-in service at Terminal 3 Abu Dhabi, with a porter that will carry their bags and escort them to their check-in reception. Etihad passengers are also given access to the airline's premium lounges.

On board, all passengers flying First Class can enjoy complimentary gourmet food from the professional inflight chef, an extensive drinks menu with a boutique wine list and chilled refreshments.

In addition, each First Class passenger has a personal TV with full access to Etihad's inflight entertainment,

First Class on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

On Etihad flights operated by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, passengers can enjoy Etihad's First Class First Suite — a private suite located on the plane. The First Suite has extra-comfortable leather seats that convert into 6 ft 8" flatbeds. The First Suite's unique design allows for more personal space due to its curved aisle and each passenger is given a personal wardrobe with chilled refreshments.

Does First Class Facilities Have a First Class Lounge?

Passengers flying First Class on Etihad Airways are given complimentary access to the airline's First Class Lounge & Spa. This incredibly luxurious lounge includes a fine-dining experience, a workout room and a spa for all First Class passengers to enjoy. Passengers flying Business Class and Economy Class have the option to upgrade to the airline lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport, where the First Class Lounge & Spa is located.

In-flight Entertainment & WiFi

Etihad Airways gives passengers big-screen entertainment onboard their flight, through its E-Box product.

In-flight Entertainment

Find top-rated dramas and must-see comedies. Find lifestyle, sports programs and documentaries with Etihad Airways. With Etihad Airlines you can enjoy the latest blockbusters as well as timeless classics. Hollywood films are also provided in Arabic, European, Indian and Asian classics so you can enjoy films in multiple languages.

Wi-Fi

The airline has installed Wifi facilities onboard its aircraft, simply head to your device's Wifi settings and select the onboard 'Wi-Fly' option. First-class and Etihad Guest Platinum customers can enjoy Wifi free of charge throughout the flight. All other passengers can purchase this at an additional cost, with a basic plan starting at $1.99.

Food & Drink

Passengers in all classes can enjoy the airline's complimentary snacks. Menus for in-flight meals can be viewed online on Etihad's official website. Meals may or may not be offered onboard depending on the length of the flight.

Meal Options

Passengers in Economy, Business and First Class will receive complimentary drinks and snacks. The levels of this may depend on the duration of the flight as well as the times. Business-class passengers can enjoy menus inspired by upmarket bistros and can dine at a time that suits them. Business-class passengers can view the menu before flying via the Etihad website.

First-class passengers experience a culinary delight, with inflight chefs creating individual experiences for each passenger, with choices from The Grill menu, and the a la carte menu, including healthy and traditional Emirati dishes. Etihad Airways also offers their premium passengers 'Dine on Demand' where they can choose when they would like to eat rather than having set times.

Special Dietary Requirements

For passengers with special dietary requirements, there is a selection of special meals that can be ordered for their in-flight meals, at least 24 hours in advance. This includes religious meals, meals for specific dietary requirements and children's meals. All meals are prepared in accordance with Halal requirements, making them suitable for Muslims. The available meals to pre-order are as follows:

  • Hindu Meal (Non-vegetarian) Meal
  • Kosher Meal
  • Vegetarian Jain Meal
  • Vegetarian Meal
  • Asian Vegetarian Meal
  • Bland Meal
  • Diabetic Meal
  • Fruit Platter Meal
  • Gluten-Free Meal
  • Seafood Meal
  • Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal
  • Low-calorie Meal
  • Low fat/cholesterol Meal
  • Low sodium Meal
  • Low lactose Meal
  • Raw vegetable Meal
  • Vegetarian Oriental Meal
  • Baby Meal
  • Child Meal

Drinks & Alcohol

There is a complimentary bar service for passengers, including beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.

Frequent Flyer Program

Etihad Airways operates a frequent flyer program called Etihad Guest which was launched in August 2006. The program has 4 tiers, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum all offering different benefits. It offers a discount webshop for loyalty program members. The program offers lounge access, reserved seats, excess baggage, free wifi and more depending on your tier status.

Airline Alliance

Although Etihad Airways isn't a member of an airline alliance, it has many codeshare agreements with many major global airlines including Air Canada, Air France, ANA, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, JetBlue, KLM, Lufthansa, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines and Turkish Airlines, among several others.

Country flags

Destinations that Etihad Airways flies to

As of April 2022, Etihad Airways flies to many destinations around the world, including Melbourne, Sydney, Dhaka, Toronto, Cairo, Paris, Munich, Athens, Hong Kong, Bangalore, Dammam, Jeddah, New York and many others. Etihad Airlines offer a service to Dubai, with flights arriving in Abu Dhabi and then a complimentary transfer to downtown Dubai.

Alternatives to Etihad Airways

Please click on the logos below to find out more about airlines that fly similar routes to Etihad Airways:

Buy now, pay later

Buy your flights now and pay later

No way, really?! Yes! We’ve partnered with some amazing BNPL payment providers to allow you to pay for your flights over time, with ease.

Seat Selection

Want to ensure that you're seated with your travel companions? Choose your Etihad Airways preferred seat when buying Etihad Airways flights with Alternative Airlines. Alternative Airlines show Etihad Airways preferred seats for all flights and allow you to pick and choose the seat you want through an interactive seat map! Click here to find out how to book seats.

Fleet

Etihad Airways' fleet consists of a mixture of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The majority of its fleet is made up of Boeing 787s and Airbus A320s, followed by A321s, A350s and B777s. Etihad has orders for the Airbus A321neo and the Boeing 777-9.

Airbus A380 - currently in storage

On Etihad flights operated by the A380, passengers were treated to Etihad's First Class First Apartment — a whole apartment space onboard the plane. The First Apartment was fitted with a luxury armchair and a separate 6 ft 10" fully-flat bed, a vanity unit with a makeup mirror.

Passengers looking for an extremely comfortable experience could travel in Etihad's signature 'Residence' cabin, located on the top deck of their A380s. Passengers travelling in this would receive their own personal butler services. Their seat was the most luxurious in the sky with 3 distinct zones. A full-size double bed was provided in a private bedroom suite that lead onto a living room, stylised similarly to the First Class suits. Another feature that set this class apart is the fact that there was a private bathroom with an onboard shower for Residence passengers only to use.

Passengers flying First Class on the A380 could also gain access to the A380 Upper Deck, which was a great place to relax with up to five other Business and First Class passengers. The Upper Deck included a lobby, power supplies and connectivity ports.

*Please note that the airline's A380 aircraft are currently in storage due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hub Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

Abu Dhabi International Airport is an international airport in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the hub airport for Etihad Airways, Rotana Jet and Etihad Cargo. Other airlines which fly to and from Abu Dhabi International Airport include Air Astana, Air Berlin, British Airways, EgyptAirGulf AirJet Airways, KLM, Kuwait AirwaysMiddle East Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar AirwaysRoyal Falcon, South African Airways, and SriLankan Airlines.

Etihad Airways Flights on Finance

See all our flight ticket promos and coupons and save money off your next Etihad flight when using PayPal. When you book your Etihad flights with Alternative Airlines you can spread the cost of these into manageable instalments over days, weeks or months. Residents of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will all be able to use either Postpay or Tabby to pay for their flights. To find out about which financing options may be available to you please visit Etihad Tickets — Fly Now Pay Later.

Frequently asked questions

Will the A380 be returning to Etihad's fleet?

Due to the financial losses that Etihad Airways experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline decided to retire its entire fleet of Airbus A380s. These A380s are currently in storage, however, they may soon make a comeback. The recent demand for travel after the pandemic has sparked rumours of Etihad supposedly resuming crew training for the A380 and possibly bringing back a handful of its A380s within the next year or so. Check back in with Alternative Airlines for the latest updates on this topic.

Can I pay later for Etihad flights?

Of course! You can do this right here at Alternative Airlines. When you search for your Etihad Airways flights through Alternative Airlines, you can checkout using one of the many flexible Buy Now Pay Later plans that we offer on our site, such as Tabby or Postpay, among many others. This means you can spread the cost of your Etihad tickets over time and manage your flight budget more easily and efficiently. Read our guide on buying Eithad flights and paying later to learn more.

Where does Etihad Airways Fly?

Etihad Airways fly to over 60 Destinations, across Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and the Middle east. Operating more than a thousand flights a week!

Where is Etihad Airways based? 

Etihad Airways is based in the United Arab Emirates where its main hub is Abu Dhabi international airport, they commenced their operations in 2003. 

How do I manage my Etihad booking?

If you booked your Etihad Airways flights here at Alternative Airlines, you can manage your booking on our site. Simply login to your account at Alternative Airlines - you can then manage your booking with Etihad Airways and any other bookings you have made through us.