The national airline of the United Arab Emirates is Etihad Airways. The feedback accumulated over several years of activity, gave the company the right to be called one of the leading enterprises in the world of aviation. The name "Etihad" in translation from the Arabic language (national for the UAE) means "Union". The company's management stresses this by its readiness to constantly develop, establish and competently integrate mutually beneficial partnerships.
The history of the airline
The company was founded in the summer of 2003 by royal decree of the emir. In November of that year, demonstration commercial flights were completed. And in less than 10 years, Etihad Airways has been able to leave a mark on the history of commercial aviation as the fastest growing company in this area.
The capital of the UAE, the city of Abu Dhabi, is the home base and central transportation hub of the airline. Rapidly developing, the company added to its network of routes every month, one flight in a new direction. The peak of development was 2006, when Etihad Airways, after 30 months of activity, had 30 destination airports. Today, the airline's geography of flights is already more than 100 destinations located around the globe.
Etihad Airwaysâs list of key achievements includes an unprecedented order in 2004 of new aircraft worth more than $ 8 billion. More than 30 different international awards, including the âBest New World Airlinesâ and âLeading World Airlinesâ awards according to the commission of the World Travel Awards international ceremony.
Etihad Airways today
The airline is led by the Board of Directors, headed by His Highness Sheikh Hamed Ben Zayed Al-Nahyan.
The portfolio of this Middle Eastern air carrier has a significant share in the European company Air Berlin. A major partner is the government of Seychelles, one of the most popular Etihad Airways destinations, whose Air Seychelles airline is 40% owned by this Middle Eastern carrier.
In its work, the airline strives to demonstrate to passengers the best aspects of hospitality in the Arab country. This is an attentive attitude towards guests, generosity, warmth and rich traditions. Thanks to this approach, the prestige of the UAE capital - Abu Dhabi, as a modern center linking the West and the East has significantly increased. Etihad Airways has accomplished its global mission of becoming a 21st century airline with a progressive outlook on hospitality in the air.
Fleet
The fleet of this airline includes more than 100 airliners. Among them are the following models: Airbus A319 (the smallest), A320, A321, A330, A340 (in several modifications), A380 (the largest), Boeing 747, 777, 787. Etihad Airways also ordered the construction of several more modern aircraft. It is expected that in the near future they will replenish the already impressive fleet.
Etihad Airways flight destinations
Whose airline can boast such a wide geography of flights? Not all air carriers in the world can compete with Etihad. Thus, the Middle Eastern companyâs fleet operates several hundred flights a day. Both domestic destinations and the widest international network are served, in which more than 100 destinations located in the countries of the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America.
Popular destinations in the Middle East are: Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Jeddah. In Europe it is: Paris, Madrid, London, Berlin, Munich, Amsterdam, Milan, Moscow. In Asian countries: Seoul, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo. In Africa: Cairo, Johannesburg. In America: Toronto, Sao Paulo, New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington. In Australia and New Zealand: Sydney, Melbourne, Wellington.
Frequent Flyer Program
For passengers who constantly fly with Etihad Airways, there is a loyalty program called Etihad Guest. Its participants are offered pleasant benefits and bonuses.
There are three levels of membership: Silver, Gold, Elite. Program participants have the opportunity to receive free tickets, an accelerated and simplified registration procedure, as well as a whole list of discounts for additional services - from the procedure for renting a car, until the night in a five-star hotel at an attractive price.
The process of earning miles is quite simple, the desired points are credited to the personal account of the client not only when buying tickets, but also when using the services of partner companies Etihad Airways. Feedback from program participants informs about a fairly large number of hotels, restaurants, car rental companies, travel companies and others.
Additional services and service
Etihad Airways strives to build excellent relationships with its passengers throughout the journey - from the start of the airline booking process to arriving directly at the airport. For this, the air carrier has developed many special services, for example, the service âUnappeared Guestâ. If a passenger who has already checked in for a flight cannot use his ticket and informs the airline in advance of his refusal of the flight, then the carrier will have the opportunity to offer the vacated seat to another person who has no other way to fly.
Sometimes opposite cases arise when the carrier is forced to refuse boarding the plane to the passenger who arrived at the airport on time and checked in for the Etihad Airways flight. Feedback from people in such an unpleasant situation indicates that the airline offers a ticket for the next flight and the possibility of free meals for the period of involuntary delay, as well as the use of ground transportation to spend the night at the hotel at the expense of the carrier.
Satisfying special requests and wishes of passengers also meets the principles of personal care of this Arab air carrier. When notified in advance, the company offers a meeting for children traveling by air without adults, as well as people with hearing or vision problems.
For passengers with health problems, the company staff provides a wheelchair, stretcher, oxygen, etc. Infants will be offered cradles. Please note that usually on board their number is limited, you must book this service in advance. Swaddling rooms are available on all Etihad Airways flights.
Special types of meals on board the aircraft are also available upon reservation. It can be vegetarian, diet food and a menu of dishes that meet different religious restrictions.
First-class customers have at their disposal the free âPersonal Chauffeurâ service at their destination. Also for these passengers there is a special waiting room with increased comfort with a seating area, TV, library, massage chairs. At the same time, there is a 24-hour restaurant in the waiting room.
Activities not related to passenger transportation
The company has a freight transportation division. A subsidiary of Etihad Holidays provides services for the selection of leisure options for every most demanding taste and budget, booking not only airline tickets, but also hotel rooms.
The airline acts as a sponsor of many sports clubs. In her work, she seeks to demonstrate the original aspects of eastern culture, taking care of increasing the prestige of her native country.
Etihad Airways cabin
Reviews, the economy class is presented among them most fully, they report on new stores without signs of long operation. The entertainment system on board is individual for everyone and is built into the seat of the forward-looking passenger. It offers an excellent selection of films, music, educational programs in different languages ââand with subtitles. The seats themselves are very comfortable, recline well and have retractable armrests. The step between the seats is large, which is convenient for tall people.
Passenger service during the flight
Each client of the airline is offered a soft pillow, a warm blanket, high-quality headphones. On night flights, this list also adds a set for sleep and hygiene. The composition of the latter includes a bandage for sleeping with the inscription: "Wake up while feeding" on the one hand, and with a request: "Do not disturb" on the other, as well as toothpaste and brush, ear plugs, socks. For children, various handbags with creativity kits from Etihad Airways are provided.
Reviews of 2014 about nutrition during the flight are mostly positive. Service begins almost immediately after take-off. It offers passengers snacks, drinks, including a good selection of alcohol. Hot hand wipes are also available. The main menu includes meat and vegetarian dishes. There is baby food, the order of which is to notify the airline in advance. Etihad Airways is pleasantly distinguished from its competitors by the provision of passenger metal devices. Of the minuses, customers mention the lack of fish dishes in the menu and a small amount of servings.
Airline staff
Quite often, passengers create compliments to staff when creating reviews evaluating Etihad Airways. This primarily concerns the form. She is very beautiful, elegant, sustained in a strict Arabic style. The smiling staff is as welcoming to the guests as possible, helps to find a place, put heavy luggage on a shelf above the seat. Usually the flight is served by a multilingual crew. Surely there are stewardesses fluent in English and Arabic. Also, depending on the direction, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, German, Portuguese can be found. Thanks to this, your flight will be as comfortable as possible with Etihad Airways.
The flight attendants' feedback on their work with the airline demonstrates maximum safety concern. Stewardesses are confident in their colleagues who are not confused and will be able to make the right decision in any emergency or emergency situation. The personnel training system prepares people who thoroughly know the safety and first aid textbook, as well as constantly think about the safety of passengers.
Having examined the detailed history of how Etihad Airways appeared, the reviews of passengers and cabin crew about the carrierâs work, you can evaluate all the benefits of the flight and get the most out of your trip.