Etihad
Wellness
Your wellness will always be our priority. From Wellness Ambassadors available 24/7 to COVID-19 insurance included with every ticket; we’re taking extra steps to make sure you feel comfortable and protected when you travel.
COVID-19 testing is mandatory before every flight to keep you protected.
You must wear a face mask on board and our crew wear PPE at all times.
COVID-19 insurance wellness cover is included with every ticket.
We’re the first airline in the world to vaccinate all pilots and cabin crew on board against COVID-19.
Because we want you to feel comfortable and cared for when you travel with us, we’ve introduced a specially trained team of Wellness Ambassadors, available 24/7.
They’ll be on hand to answer your questions and share advice on staying safe during your trip. Our Wellness Ambassadors will also help to ensure that global health and hygiene regulations are being fully adhered to, to keep you protected when you travel.
You’ll find our friendly team at Abu Dhabi Airport and on board all of our flights, and you can speak to them via our live online chat before you travel too.
Got a question? Use our live chat to find the answers you’re looking for 24/7, like the latest travel and testing information.
Wellness Ambassadors will be available in partnership with Abu Dhabi International Airport at check-in, screening and boarding when you fly from Abu Dhabi.
Our Wellness Ambassadors will make you feel safe and comfortable on board. They’re on hand if you need advice or information.
Stay up to date with the latest travel requirements.
Everyone aged six or over must wear a mask at all times on board.
Our aircraft are equipped with HEPA air filters which capture 99% of airborne microbes.
We deep clean and sanitise all of our aircraft on arrival at each destination.
Our cabin crew wear personal protective equipment at all times and are all vaccinated against COVID-19.
We’ve introduced additional deep cleaning and sanitisation at every point of your journey.
Wellness Kits are available on board, including a face mask, hand gel and sanitising wipes.
COVID-19 PCR testing is mandatory before every flight to keep you protected.
Read more
Meals on board go through vigorous testing and are served in line with strict COVID-19 guidelines.
We’ve reopened some of our airport lounges, all with enhanced safety measures to keep you protected.
Our transfer buses, coaches and cars are deep-cleaned and sanitised after every trip.
COVID-19 global wellness cover is included with every ticket for travel up to 31 March 2022.
Checking in for your trip
Check in online from 30 hours before your flight. If you’ve been Verified to Fly, download your boarding pass to limit touchpoints at the airport. Prefer a bit more space on board? Upgrade to Business or book a Neighbour-Free seat in Economy.
Travelling to the airport
Our complimentary chauffeur and coach services are available to get you to and from the airport quickly and easily. There are extra safety measures in place, and all vehicles will be deep-cleaned and sanitised after every trip.
What to expect at the airport
All touchpoints are regularly sanitised, and you’ll be asked to wait 1.5m apart from other guests at all queuing points. If you’re flying to Abu Dhabi, you’ll undergo thermal screening and COVID-19 PCR testing when you land. Excludes children under 12.
Need help? We're here to answer your questions. Simply select the relevant tab below to read more.
We understand you’ll have some questions about your trip, so we’re here to help. Get in touch
We understand that more than ever, you want to travel with flexibility and peace of mind. If your trip has been impacted by COVID-19, you can change your flight for free or use the value towards your next trip with Etihad Credit.
Read more about the options to change your flight at etihad.com/manage.
Abu Dhabi is open to tourists and we can’t wait to welcome you back!
You can fly to Abu Dhabi if you are a UAE national or resident, or if you are eligible for a visa on arrival. If you’ve been fully vaccinated with a UAE approved vaccine, you will not be required to quarantine when you arrive in Abu Dhabi.
Find our latest travel regulations at etihad.com/destinationguide.
Check in at the airport opens three hours before your flight. We’ve introduced a number of new procedures at the airport, so please make sure to arrive with plenty of time.
Wherever you are travelling to or from, you must wear a face mask at the airport and for the duration of your flight. We recommend that you leave your mask on when you reach your final destination, as it may be the law to do so.
It is mandatory to wear a face mask in Abu Dhabi, and this includes within the airport.
Please make sure that you carry enough masks for the duration of your journey. We will carry limited spare masks on board.
We recommend that you wear gloves when you travel. On board, we provide you with a Wellness Kit that includes hand sanitising wipes, a mask and hand sanitiser.
We understand it may be difficult for young children to wear a mask when they travel. If they’re comfortable, we recommend that children aged two to five wear a mask as much as they possibly can. Children aged six or older must wear a mask at all times, wash their hands regularly and follow social distancing guidelines as much as possible.
Our airport teams and crew are routinely tested at our hub in Abu Dhabi. They’ll also be wearing personal protective equipment and following social distancing guidelines at all times.
We’ve implemented a number of measures to ensure social distancing on our buses between the airport terminal and aircraft. We have significantly reduced the number of guests per coach and placed stickers on the floor of the coaches to allow for more space.
You must take your test 72 hours before your first flight departure time, unless the testing requirements at your final destination are 48 hours.
If you are unable to meet this requirement, you can take a COVID-19 PCR test whilst you’re in transit in Abu Dhabi airport.
You must pay for your test when you check in before you fly to Abu Dhabi. We recommend paying by credit card. Cash will only be accepted in the local currency at your departure airport. Tests cost USD 50 (rate variable based on the latest exchange rate).
That depends on where you’re flying to. In a lot of cases, children up to a certain age will be required to have a test before they fly.
You’ll find more information at etihad.com/destinationguide.
Yes. We’re conducting COVID-19 rapid testing in Abu Dhabi airport. Tests cost USD 50 (subject to exchange rate) and you will need to pay for your test when you check-in. Transit testing is currently not available if you are flying from Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, we are working on a solution to this with the authorities.
No, you must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before every Etihad Airways flight.
Find out when to take your test at etihad.com/destinationguide.
You can take your COVID-19 PCR test at any accredited medical facility.
If you are travelling to China, you must take your test at one of the G42 clinics listed below:
Tests from other medical facilities will not be accepted. Call +971 52 688 4846 or +971 2 2055 999 to book.
To keep everyone protected on board, you must have a COVID-19 PCR test before every Etihad Airways flight.
If you’re flying to Abu Dhabi as your final destination, take your test 48 hours before your flight departure time. Some exemptions apply.
For all other destinations, your test must be carried out 48 or 72 hours ahead of your flight departure time. This will depend on where you’re flying to or from and your transit time.
You won’t need to quarantine when you arrive in Abu Dhabi if you’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or you’re travelling from a Green list country.
You can pay to print personal documents, like your PCR test result, at selected airports. Please note that printing facilities are not available at every airport.
Yes, you are permitted to carry a cabin bag and personal item on board.
Find out more about your baggage allowance
All of our aircraft are deep-cleaned and sanitised on arrival at each destination. This includes disinfecting toilets, seats, tray tables, arm rests and seatbelts, and all blankets and pillows are removed and replaced with freshly laundered items.
All of our service equipment is deep cleaned, and used equipment is stored separately during the flight.
Our HEPA air filters on board also capture 99% of airborne microbes, and our airflow systems mean that air is refreshed on board on average 30 times every hour.
Yes. You’ll find hand sanitiser in your Wellness Kit on board.
Our onboard toilets are monitored, cleaned and sanitised regularly throughout every flight.
If you can’t find the seat you’re looking for when you check-in online, our team will try to help when you arrive at the airport.
When you’re on board, we ask that you stay in your seat as much as possible, and only change seat if you are asked to do so by our crew.
Our crew are fully trained to manage cases of suspected contagious disease on board, and additional measures have been put in place for COVID-19.
We will notify the relevant health authorities upon arrival.
Our catering facilities go through rigorous hygiene testing before any of our meals are prepared.
Our teams undergo regular testing and thermal screening, and are not permitted to enter the catering unit if they are living in shared or non-company provided accommodation.
All of our team’s accommodation and catering facilities are disinfected every day, and we’ve added sanitisation misting stations at the main entrance of EAS Catering.
On board, food is safely stored and chilled until it is ready to be served in line with strict COVID-19 guideline
The authorities at your arrival airport will refer you for medical assistance if required. This will vary based on the policy of the country you arrive in. You may be referred for a PCR test or asked to quarantine.
Every destination will implement their own guidelines to keep you protected, and you should follow these at all times. Remember to check quarantine measures before you travel.
Read our destination guidelines
For peace of mind and protection, we always recommend you purchase travel insurance before your trip.
Depending on where you are flying to or from, travel insurance may be mandatory. Always check before you fly.
Buy travel insurance
No, you are not covered if you cancel your trip because you are concerned about Coronavirus, though you may be eligible for an insurance premium refund.
COVID-19 global wellness cover is included with every ticket for travel up to 31 March 2022. If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 whilst you’re away, we’ll take care of your medical expenses and quarantine costs.
If you contract COVID-19 before your trip, you could be covered if you have to cancel your trip. You will have to show a confirmed diagnosis, including proof of illness from your doctor that states you are medically unable to travel at the time of departure.
All cover is subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
If you are quarantined as a result of COVID-19, you could be covered under the Trip Cancellation or Curtailment benefit, subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
If an official government agency advises against all non-essential travel to your intended destination after you have booked your trip and travel insurance, you could be covered under the Trip Cancellation benefit of your policy. However, we suggest that you contact your travel provider to request a refund.
You are eligible for a refund of your premium under the following conditions:
At the airport and on board, we’ve introduced additional deep cleaning that focuses on the surfaces that are touched most often. That includes our check-in counters, toilets, seats, seat belts, tray tables and entertainment screens so you can feel comfortable knowing that we disinfect every touchpoint of your journey more regularly.
We’ve also made sure that hand sanitiser is available throughout our airport terminals and on board.
From sterilisation booths to thermal scanning and facial recognition, Abu Dhabi airport is using cutting-edge technology to keep you protected when you fly.
We’re allowing unlimited date changes on all new bookings to give you the freedom and flexibility to change your travel plans if you need to. Simply book now.
When we land, you’ll be directed by our crew to leave the aircraft in small groups. This will help to maintain social distancing and avoid any crowding as you make your way into the airport.
Remember, every airport will implement their own guidelines to keep you protected, and you should follow these at all times. We’ll share as much information about these guidelines as we can before you travel.
We work with a network of partners to offer you optional services that make your journey with us even better. When you click a link from one of our partners:
