Travel Made Easy: Etihad Airways Overview

Etihad Airways is the flag carrier of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. They are acclaimed for some of the most luxurious flying experiences, with their fantastic Business, First Class and Residence! But they’ve also made the press for their recent financial challenges. Find out all the Facts & Figures, the Experience to expect and how to earn & redeem awards in their loyalty program Etihad Guest!

The Airline: Eithad Airways was launched only in 2003 and today serves 80 destinations in 49 countries with a fleet of 112 planes from their hub in Abu Dhabi (AUH). 

SkyTrax rates Etihad Airways as a 5-star airline. 
AirlineRatings gives Etihad a perfect 7-out-of-7 star rating for airline safety, with no fatal incidents in its history.

Find out more about their fleet and destinations in Etihad Airways – Facts & Figures!

The Experience: Etihad Airways is a premium carrier and popular for their elaborate premium cabins and great service. The Residence, a 3-room apartment on board their Airbus A380, is a unique luxury not offered by any other airline, and even “regular” First Class is a luxurious experience. I very much enjoyed Business Class, with their comfortable fully-flat seats with all-aisle access and friendly service. But even their Economy Class is a step above, with the same friendly service, extensive entertainment library and good food! 
What also sets Etihad Airways apart is the end-to-end experience, with a nice arrival lounge and limousine service at their hub Ahu Dhabi!

All of that comes at fares that are competitive with other airlines, explaining Etihad’s popularity. Click on the links above for detailed reviews of the experience!

The Rewards: Etihad Airway’s rewards program, Etihad Guest, lacks the participation in one of the big three alliances, but manages to offer a broad choice of earning & redemption options through their own partnership with a long list of airlines, hotel, car rental and shopping partners. After a few rounds of recent devaluations, it’s become harder to find great value in the program. To find out, if it is worth joining for you, read my detailed review of the Etihad Guest Program!