Etihad Airways Airlines

  About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the flag carrier as well as the second-largest airline in the United Arab Emirates, after Emirates. The airlines' head office is located in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, in proximity to Abu Dhabi's International Airport. Operations of Etihad commenced in 2003. The airline has since expanded its wings to acquire many world-class facilities and aircraft in its fleet. With a fleet strength of 120 which only includes Boeing and Airbus aircraft, the airline has a record of flying about 1,000 flights in a week to more than 120 domestic and international routes sprawled across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America. The airline operates passenger as well as cargo-based services to many international destinations. According to records, in 2015, Etihad carried about 14.8 million passengers, a whopping 22.3 per cent jump from the previous year, adding to the revenue of the airlines to stand at USD 9.02 billion and a net profit of USD 103 million. The airline's main hub is in Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Additionally, Etihad Airways also operates two subsidiaries, Etihad Holidays and Etihad Cargo. The same year, the airlines also introduced an airline alliance called Etihad Airways Partners. However, it was disbanded in 2018 following several of its members falling in financial peril. Etihad was previously led by former Gulf Air CEO James Hogan. He was appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer in 2006 and served the office till 2018. Currently, the airline has appointed Tony Douglas as the CEO of Etihad Group, to fill in the shoes of James Hogan. Aside from running its show, Etihad also has equity alliance and minority shareholdings in airlines such as Air Serbia, Air Seychelles Virgin Australia with 49 per cent. Forty per cent and 24.2 per cent stakes respectively.

Over the years, the airline has sponsored a slew of big events including the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Docklands Stadium and All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. On its genesis, Etihad's livery featured the flag of the United Arab Emirates along with its emblem on the vertical stabiliser while the windows had a golden Etihad logo. The fuselage also featured red and golden stripes. However, the livery was phased out as a new design was introduced in 2014. The new livery first featured on Etihad's first Airbus A380s. The new design includes triangular tessellation painted with gold and silver on the vertical stabiliser as well as the rear fuselage. The aircraft also has a golden Etihad logo along with the emblem of the United Arab Emirates painted over the windows as well as the flag painted on the front door. The golden hue is inspired by the romanticising of the Arabian desert.

Fleet size of Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways operates a fleet comprising of only Airbus and Boeing. The total size of the fleet is 102 with Boeing 787-9 taking the most space with 30 aircraft. Following the same is Airbus A320-200 and Boeing 777-300ER with 19 aircraft. Ever since the airline's genesis, it has been accommodating only the top aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. You can find both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft and the cabin facilities change accordingly. Etihad Airways' fleet is recognised worldwide for its innovative and advanced facilities.

Etihad Airways Baggage Allowance

Etihad Airways is quite strict when it comes to their baggage allowance. The airline has a standard weight and size for baggage that the passengers need to adhere to. Depending on the country that you will be travelling to, Etihad Airways has dedicated baggage allowance. You will need to go to their website and find out the same. In the baggage allowance page, the airline has reserved two blank posts where you can add the destination and the city you'll be taking your flight from. Following the search, you will know how much the baggage allowance is on Etihad Airways. The same applies to the hand luggage and passengers travelling with kids and infants.

With respect to carrying a personal item on board, the weight of the handbag with personal items should not exceed 5 kg. The personal bag could include a laptop, a backpack, handbag or a briefcase to carry onboard. It is essential that you follow the necessary protocols and not carry unwanted items in the bag. There are provisions to purchase extra baggage. In fact, the airline allows extra baggage with 30 per cent off. You will not have to pay a whopping sum of amount. The airline allows the passenger to check the status of the bag on their official website. However, it is while you have some benefits, the airline expects passengers not to carry specific things onboard or in the checked baggage. A list of prohibited items has been shared by Etihad Airways which follow protocols of all the other airlines it has partnered with. Some of the restricted items include sharp items, inflatables, wheelchairs, weapons, dangerous goods and chemicals, liquid, aerosols and gels, and more. While wheelchairs are not allowed, there are special provisions made by the airline for passengers who have mobility issues and need the wheelchair. The same applies to travellers with infants. For infants, the airline has allowed the traveller to carry enough baggage that is dedicated to baby products.

Etihad Airways In-flight services

Etihad Airways' in-flight services are world-class. The airline recently introduced Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 with several amazing features. These include a residence suite such as The Residence (A380), First Apartments (A380), First Suite (787), Business Studio and Economy Smart seat. You will find a business studio, and smart economy seat available in all the aircraft of Etihad Airways fleet. However, the state-of-the-art first-class suites and cabins are only available in their Airbus A380 and Boeing 787.

The Residence - Airbus A380 is the only aircraft in the Etihad fleet to accommodate The Residence. There is room for two people to fit in residence and features a private living space with a living room, bathroom and a bedroom. The cabin also offers a 60.6-inch wide reclining two-seater sofa with a 32-inch TV monitor. An ensuite bathroom along with a shower is also available in the suite and has an 82-inch wide doubled bed. The bedroom also comes with another TV monitor which is 27-inch along with a personal butler. The first-class' services also come with complimentary meals and alcoholic beverages.

First-class - The airline also has a First Apartments, which follows the same layout but with limited provisions from the residence. The Airbus aircraft accommodates the first-class apartment with nine total cabins and a configuration of 1-1 across a single aisle. The room features a decent 30.3-inch wide reclining chair along with an ottoman that can be converted into a bed. The airline also has a 24-inch TV monitor which can swing for a better view from the ottoman. The recliner is also accompanied by a vanity cabinet, a bar with chilled drinks and luxurious hospitality from the airline's crew. The Boeing 787-9 allows eight first suites in the aircraft which includes a 26-inch reclining lounge chair. There is a dining table along with a 24-inch TV monitor. The aircraft also comes with a personal wardrobe and high sliding doors.

Business-class - The business studio has been introduced by Etihad Airways in both the aircraft models, Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9s as well as Boeing 787-10s. The studio accommodates 22a 22-inch wide reclining chair that can be converted into a flatbed. It also comes with an 18-inch TV monitor and has a configuration of 1-2-1 seating. Everybody gets direct aisle access.

Economy smart seat - While the fabulous features are available and part of Etihad Airways' in-flight services, the economy class is also quite decent. The seats are 17-inch wide on the Boeing 787 and 19-inch wide on the Airbus A380. The seat pitch is 31-33-inch and 6-inch recline, respectively. The airline also has an 11-inch touch screen entertainment system by Etihad to cater to the in-flight entertainment of the passenger. The airline follows a 3-4-3 seating style.

Popular routes and top cities for Etihad Airways

The United Arab Emirates established Etihad Airways as the national carrier and has since managed to launch a plethora of domestic routes and international routes for their flights. Over the years, they have managed to serve about 74 destinations along with dedicated five cargo cities. Much recently, they even commenced their operations to Beirut. Some of the top cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Manama, Brussels, Toronto, Beijing, Shanghai, Cairo, Munich, Athens, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Kozhikode, Kochi, Milan, Dublin, Tokyo, Amman, Kuwait City, Rabat, Lagos, Muscat, Lahore, Manila, Jeddah, Medina, Singapore, Seoul, Barcelona, Colombo, Geneva, Zurich, Bangkok, Phuket, London, Chicago, New York City, Washington DC and Los Angeles.

Why travel by Etihad Airways?

Etihad Airways' world-class in-flight services, as well as hospitality and lounge treatment, is a testament to the host country's lifestyle. It is luxurious and has some of the finest facilities. Their official website includes web check-in services, booking Etihad Airways' flights and to be updated with the flight schedules and flight status of the airlines.