Etihad Airways anticipates a record-breaking summer holiday season, expecting to host approximately five million passengers at Zayed International Airport during the peak travel period. Shaeb Alnuaimi, Etihad’s Director of Airports Operation, expressed enthusiasm for welcoming guests on their summer travels, including those flying to new destinations like Malaga, Antalya, Santorini, Nice, Jaipur, Al Qassim, Mykonos, and Bali. This marks Etihad's inaugural summer at its new home, Zayed International Airport, enhancing the travel experience with seamless operations and top-tier customer service. To facilitate a smooth journey, Etihad advises all travelers to arrive early and allow ample time at the airport. The airline also provides various travel tips and reminders to simplify the process.
For check-in, guests can utilize etihad.com or the mobile app for online services, followed by dropping off their luggage at one of the numerous automated self-service bag drops in the terminal. Offsite check-in and bag-drop facilities are also available, offering 2,000 Etihad Guest Miles from June 10 to August 15. Flight information and status updates can be accessed through the Manage My Booking section on etihad.com or the mobile app.
Home check-in is available for guests to check in from home at least seven hours before their flight, allowing them to check their bags, select seats, and collect boarding passes and luggage tags in Abu Dhabi. This service starts at 220 AED for up to four bags. Non-transit passengers using home check-in can bypass queues at the airport, with luggage collected at the destination baggage belt.
Etihad Airways offers various pre-purchase seating and upgrade options for enhanced comfort during the school holidays, including 'Economy Extra Legroom' and the innovative 'Neighbour-free Seat' bidding option. First and Business Class Lounge access can be pre-purchased up to 90 minutes before departure, with walk-in access available based on availability.
Check-in and boarding times vary by class, with Economy Class for non-US flights opening four hours before departure and closing one hour before, and Business and First Class closing 45 minutes before departure. Boarding for all classes closes 20 minutes prior to departure. US-bound passengers can complete all immigration and customs formalities in Abu Dhabi, requiring check-in two hours before departure and arrival at the US Customs and Border Protection facility 90 minutes before departure.
The Etihad Airways mobile app allows guests to check in 30 hours before departure and download an electronic boarding pass, facilitating a paperless travel experience. Smart travel options at Abu Dhabi include self-service bag drops and biometric immigration e-gates. Boarding can also be biometrically completed on certain flights.
Etihad adheres to a cabin baggage policy of 7kg for Economy Class and 12kg for First and Business Class, with maximum dimensions of 50cm height, 25cm depth, and 40cm width. Guests are advised to check the baggage policy for their specific fare, destination, or class of travel. Additional baggage can be pre-purchased at special rates.
Etihad’s Land & Leave service delivers guests' bags to their home or hotel in Abu Dhabi, eliminating the need to wait for luggage upon arrival. This service can be booked through the MORAFIQ app or online, with delivery within three hours of flight arrival.
