Ready to welcome travellers

With Etihad Wellness, the airline is prepared to provide a travel experience that prioritises passenger wellness. Neerja Bhatia, VP, Indian Sub-Continent, Etihad Airways, shares more details on the several measures the airline has introduced for guests to travel with greater peace of mind.

The world has been battling a global health emergency for over fifteen months now, and like most industries across the world, aviation too has been severely impacted. We understand how difficult the situation has been for our guests and partners in India, especially over the last few months. While passenger flights to the country have currently been suspended in line with global guidelines and restrictions, we continue to extend support with special humanitarian charters carrying much-needed medical supplies and equipment.

Although the past year has been challenging, the impact of this pandemic will not deter our commitment to India, a country that Etihad has been serving for 16 years now. We are ready to resume operations to key Indian gateways as soon as current travel restrictions are lifted, offering seamless connectivity and convenient transfers via our home, Abu Dhabi.

We are prepared for when international travel from the country gradually resumes, and our top priority remains the safety and wellness of our guests and employees. To that end, we have introduced several measures for guests to travel with greater peace of mind with Etihad.

100% of Etihad’s crew onboard has been vaccinated

In February this year, Etihad became the first airline in the world with all its operating pilots and cabin crew vaccinated to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and give passengers added assurance of safety. This has consolidated the airline’s position as an industry leader in its response to the pandemic and in keeping its employees and travellers safe.

Validity of Etihad’s global wellness cover has been extended

If any guest is diagnosed with COVID-19 during their trip, they won’t have to worry about medical expenses or quarantine costs when they fly with us. We have introduced a global COVID-19 wellness insurance as part of our health and hygiene programme, Etihad Wellness, which is included with every Etihad ticket up to 31 September 2021

A dedicated Wellness Ambassador on every flight

Etihad has introduced specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, to provide essential travel health information and care.

They are available 24/7 pre-departure, at Abu Dhabi International Airport and on board every flight to offer reassurance by sharing advice on travel wellbeing and details of the health and sanitisation measures being implemented throughout the guest’s journey.

Tech and digital-first solutions for a seamless journey

There has been an accelerated growth in digitising experiences and ensuring contactless travel for guests, with their safety and wellness in mind.

We have been working with a variety of different companies, some within the industry,some outside of it, to develop technology required for a global health certification system. Most recently, Etihad has partnered with the International Air Transport Association to launch the IATA Travel Pass for its guests. This offering, currently under trial, will help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with government requirements for COVID-19 tests or vaccines.

Mandatory PCR testing before every flight

Etihad remains the first and only airline in the world that requires 100% of its passengers to show a negative PCR test before departure and on arrival in Abu Dhabi. We want to ensure travellers feel safe knowing every other guest flying with us has tested negative for COVID-19. As the national airline of the UAE, we have the advantage of the fact that two thirds of the world’s human footprint is within a four-hour flight of Abu Dhabi. We are currently operating to 60 worldwide destinations across Europe, Middle East & Africa, North America, Asia,and Australia and are ready to welcome travellers from India as the scenario gradually improves.