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Etihad Flight and How to book for a Flight to Your Destination

– Etihad Flight – 

Etihad Airways is the second biggest airline in the United Arab Emirates after Emirates. The company’s headquarters is situated in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, near Abu Dhabi’s International Airport. 

Etihad Flight

Etihad started operations on November 2003 and have since then grown into a standard company.

The airline operates over 1,000 flights for each week to over 120 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, with a fleet of 117 Airbus and Boeing aircraft as of February 2018.

In 2015, it carried 14.8 million passengers, a 22.3 percent increase from the former year, delivering incomes of US$9.02 billion and net profits of US$103 million. Its major base is Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The Etihad Fleet

As of April 2016, the Etihad fleet comprised of a mix of Airbuses (2 A319-100s, 23 Airbus A320-200s, 21 A330-200s and Boeings (8 777-8s, 12 777-9s, and 5 777Fs), among others. 

Cabin Classes

As of December 2014, Etihad offers the following classes of travel:

The Residence (aboard the Airbus A380 only)

The Residence is an opulent 125 square ft. space that can accommodate a maximum of two passengers.

Featuring a living room, bedroom, and bathroom with an 82-inch long double bed, it is arguably the most luxurious mode of air travel available in the world – and no doubt ideally suited for honeymoon travels or the discerning first-class flyer.

Etihad First Class Apartment

Offered aboard the Airbus A380 only, these modern offerings of 9 First Class Apartments are configured 1:1 across a single aisle and cover a total of 39 square ft.

It was named as the best first-class cabin in the word during 2015, and it will no doubt appeal to the discerning business and luxury leisure traveler.

Etihad First Class Suite

The First Class Suite is only available aboard the Boeing 787-9 aircraft type and is tailored to the narrower body configuration of the craft.

The Suite features a personal wardrobe, a 26-inch wide reclining lounge chair that converts into an 80.5-inch flatbed, a dining room table as well as a 24-inch television monitor.

High sliding doors ensure total privacy, making the suite a good option for the discrete business traveler.

Etihad Business Studio

The Studio is available aboard both the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft and features 22 inch wide reclining chairs that convert fully into flatbeds, as well as 18-inch television monitors.

Etihad Economy Smart Seat

This cabin features a 17 to 19-inch wide seat configuration, as well as 11-inch touch screens for unrivaled in-flight entertainment viewing.

The Smart Seats feature a 3:4:3 configuration aboard the Airbus A380, and a 3:3:3 seat configuration aboard the B787 aircraft.

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Baggage Allowance

Etihad’s maximum weight and dimensions for checked luggage are as follows: –

  • To/from Brazil, Canada, and the US: 158cm (50x70x38)
  • To / from all other destinations: 207cm (45x72x90)

Each individual piece of luggage may not exceed 32kg. Luggage weight more than 32kg can only be transported via Etihad Cargo. For more information, click here.

Key Flight Routes and Destinations

Etihad operates over 1000 flights every week to 120 destinations all over Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, Asia as well as North and South America.

By as early as 2014 the airline transported more than 14.8 million passengers, a year on year passenger volume addition of over 22%.

The airline work 24 hours scheduled flights to and from Lagos in Nigeria, Manama in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Anchorage, Chicago, Dallas, LA, Miami and New York City in the United States,  Sao Paolo in Brazil, Brussels in Belgium.

Also, Toronto in Canada, Beijing, Chengdu, Shangai and Shenzhen in China, Brazzaville in Congo, Johannesburg in South Africa, London Gatwick and London Heathrow in the UK, Bangalore, Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai in India.

Also, Jakarta in Indonesia, Tokyo and Nagoya in Japan, Amman in Jordan, Madrid in Spain and Istanbul in Turkey, to name be a few key destinations.

Codeshare Partnerships

Codeshare Partnerships

As of 2015, Etihad enjoyed codeshare agreements with Kenya Airways, Alitalia, Royal Air Maroc, South African Airways, Middle East Airlines, KLM, Turkish Airlines, JetBlue, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Canada, Air Europe, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Seychelles, Avianca, Flybe, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia and Bangkok Airways.

Online Check-in Options

You can check-in for your next Etihad flight online here, or via mobile app, or at the airport.

Difference between Emirates and Etihad?

Both airlines are carriers belonging to the United Arab Emirates – a Muslim country located in the Arabian Gulf. Emirates was established in 1985 as the carrier for the Emirate of Dubai from DXB airport.

Etihad followed in 2003. It is ultimately owned by the Governement of Abu Dhabi and operates from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). The two cities are some 160kms apart.

Before you Fly – Emirates v Etihad

Whilst on quality and brand reputation they may come across quite similar, Emirates is a far larger airline group than Etihad. Its fleet of 268 Airbus A380’s and Boeing 777 jets (as of March 2019) is roughly three times as big as Etihad’s.

Emirates currently serves over 140 destinations in destinations in 85 countries, making it one of the best connected airlines in the world.

Etihad serves 74 destinations (at their peak they served over 110), using a variety of aircraft including A380’s, Boeing 777, Boeing 787, and a range of A340, A330 and A320 aircraft. 

Baggage Allowances – Emirates v Etihad

Emirates did a big shake-up on their baggage allowances in February 2019 (if you booked your ticket prior to the change please check direct with Emirates as different rules will apply). As of the time of publishing, this is the two airlines side by side in the baggage stakes:

 

Emirates Baggage Policy

  • Economy Special 15kg
  • Economy Saver 25kg
  • Economy Flex 30kg
  • Economy Flex plus 35kg
  • Business Class 40kg
  • First Class 50kg

Etihad Baggage Policy*

  • Economy Deal 23kg
  • Economy Saver 30kg
  • Economy Flex 35kg
  • Business Class 40kg
  • First Class 50kg

Addtional Infant Baggage Allowances

Emirates Infant Policy

  • Infants US routes 23kg Bag
  • Infants all other routes +10kg

One carry-cot or one fully collapsible stroller as carry-on if cabin space is available, or check them at no extra cost

Etihad Infant Policy

  • Infants US routes 23kg Bag
  • Infants all other routes +10kg

Guests up to 11 years may check in one stroller, pushchair, carrycot or car seat per child.

Both airlines from our experience have been very generous at allowing more than one item per child. We have flown with multiple car seats and strollers and not been turned away or asked to pay extra.

Emirates & Etihad Airline Networks

Both airlines have stayed independent of the “big 3” airline alliances – Star Alliance, One World & Sky Team. They do have individual airline partnerships and codeshare arrangements, however, as follows:

Emirates Airline Partners

  • Air Mauritius
  • Alaska Airlines
  • EasyJet
  • GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
  • Japan Airlines
  • JetBlue
  • JetStar
  • Korean Air
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Qantas
  • S7 Airlines
  • South African Airways
  • TAP Portugal

Etihad Airline Partners

  • Air New Zealand
  • American Airlines
  • Air Serbia
  • Alitalia
  • Air Europa
  • Air Seychelles
  • All Air Nippon
  • Asiana Airlines
  • Bangkok Airways
  • Brussels Airlines
  • Czech Airlines
  • GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
  • Garuda Indonesia
  • Hainan Airlines
  • Jet Airways
  • Korean Air
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Oman Air
  • Philippine Airlines
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • Scandinavian
  • SriLankan Airlines
  • Virgin Australia

If you are frequently flying with any of these network airlines and have an interest in collecting points, then these may make a difference to your decision.

Awards & Industry Accolades

Now remember for all we are looking at the nitty gritty, on the worldwide scales, these two airlines are considered excellent on the world scale. In the last 12 months, here are just some of the awards we’ve identified:

Emirates Awards

  • Best Airline Worldwide, Airline with the Best Business Class, Best First Class Airport Lounge in the Middle East and Airline with the Best Cabin Crew – Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2018
  • Airline of the Year – 2018 Air Transport Awards
  • Favourite Middle East Airline Premium Cabin – Conde Nast Middle East Reader’s Choice Awards

Etihad Awards

  • World’s leading airlines First Class -World Travel Awards (along with a slew of other First Class mentions)
  • World’s leading airline in flight entertainment – Skytrax World Airline Awards

Emirates v Etihad

 

Etihad airways is the newest of the gulf carriers but perhaps the most aggressive in terms of expansion and innovation especially in the premium classes. 

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