Etihad
Wellness
Your wellness will always be our priority. We’re the only airline in the world to make COVID-19 testing mandatory before every flight. Since August 2020, 100% of our guests have tested negative before they fly and for extra peace of mind we’ve included COVID-19 cover with every ticket.
From additional deep cleaning and complimentary wellness kits, to Wellness Ambassadors available 24/7; we’re taking extra steps to make sure you feel safe and well when you travel.
Always check the latest travel regulations before you fly.
All our guests test negative for COVID-19 before they fly with us.
You must wear a mask when you travel and our crew wear PPE at all times.
COVID-19 wellness cover is included with every ticket.
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.
Use our live chat to speak to our Wellness Ambassadors whenever you have a question.
Our Wellness Ambassadors will be able to give you more information about the latest international directives and developments, and give you tips on how to stay safe when you travel.
For your peace of mind, 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 are your first point of contact should you need any advice. They’ll make sure that our increased hygiene measures are being followed, and that you have all the information you need while travelling with us, as well as what to do when you reach your destination.
Stay up to date with the latest travel advice and information at etihad.com/destinationguide.
We’ve made some changes at the airport to make sure that there’s more space between you and other guests.
We’ve refreshed our cabins with new seat covers and carpets. Our aircraft are also 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 team will wear face masks and personal protective equipment at all times.
We’ve introduced additional deep cleaning and sanitisation at every point of your journey. You must wear a face mask whilst you travel and wash your hands at regular intervals.
Our Wellness Kits are now available on board for all guests, including a face mask, gloves and hand gel.
COVID-19 PCR testing is mandatory before every flight; all of our guests test negative for COVID-19 before flying.
Read more
We’ve refreshed our meal service. All of the food we prepare goes through vigorous testing, and we serve it 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 2021
Checking in for your trip
Online check-in opens 30 hours before your flight. Pick your seat and download your boarding pass to limit touchpoints at the airport. If you'd like a bit more space on board, why not upgrade to Business or bid for a Neighbour-Free seat in Economy?
Bid now
Travelling to the airport
Our complimentary chauffeur and coach services are still available to get you to and from the airport quickly and easily. On our coaches, you’ll be seated with more space between you and other guests, and in our cars, there’ll be a protective screen between you and the chauffeur. Our drivers will wear face masks and disposable gloves, and all vehicles will be deep-cleaned and sanitised after every trip.
What to expect at the airport
Temperature screening is in operation before all Etihad flights, and you’ll be asked to wait 1.5m apart from other guests at all queuing points. All touchpoints are regularly sanitised, and our team monitor guests for any visible signs of infection. If you’re flying to Abu Dhabi, you’ll undergo thermal screening and COVID-19 PCR testing when you arrive in Abu Dhabi International Airport. This applies to all guests, excluding children under 12.
COVID-19 PCR testing is mandatory before every flight to give you the confidence to travel the world again.
Depending on where you are flying to, your test must be carried out between 48, 72 or 96 hours ahead of your flight departure time. Please make sure your test result is in the language mandated by the government of your destination country.
If you're flying with Etihad Airways between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021, COVID-19 PCR testing is included with all flights from Abu Dhabi. This excludes flights to China where you will be required to arrange a COVID-19 PCR test at an approved G42 clinic.
Visit any Life Dx authorized sample collection facility in the UAE, or arrange for your sample to be collected from home. Book at lifedx.net/etihad, call 600 551 636 or email passengers@lifedx.net.
Children under 12 and people with severe and moderate disabilities are exempt from COVID-19 PCR testing, though this is subject to the regulations at your destination.
Remember to print your test result as you will be required to present it for validation at check-in. You must present a medical certificate or other relevant document, clearly stating the type of test and the result.
You may also present your test result via the Al Hosn app if you are flying to Abu Dhabi.
If your test is positive or you are unable to present proof of your negative COVID-19 PCR test, you will not be permitted to travel. You can rearrange your flight for free, or cancel and use the value of your flight towards your next trip with Etihad Credit. Read more
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. To give you the freedom to change your travel plans if you need to, we’ve removed the change fee for all flights booked before 31 December, for travel as per your ticket validity.
If you’re scheduled to fly with us before 30 November 2020 and would like to change your flight, we’ll give you up to US $400 and up to 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles when you save your trip for later with Etihad Credit. Or, you can change the date of your flight for free.
Refunds are permitted for tickets purchased in Australia, Canada and the USA from Etihad or travel agencies based in Australia, Canada and the USA, and tickets with travel originating in the European Union (including Switzerland and the UK), where any Etihad Airways flight on the ticket has been cancelled.
Your travel choices
Abu Dhabi is open to tourists from 24 December – 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’re travelling from select countries, or you’re taking part in the National Vaccination Programme in the UAE, you’ll be exempt from quarantine requirements when you arrive in:
You must take a COVD-19 PCR test on day 6 and day 12 of your arrival into Abu Dhabi.
Find our latest travel regulations at etihad.com/destinationguide.
You’ll find the latest travel guidelines at etihad.com/destinationguide. Or for live updates and news as it happens, follow us on any of our social media channels. We’ll always keep you updated about the status of your flight, and will alert you if anything changes. Please make sure that your contact details are correct and up to date so that we can reach you if we need to. Need to update your contact details?
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.
You can check in online from 30 hours before your flight. You may be required to collect your boarding pass at the airport.
A number of new measures are in place in Abu Dhabi airport to keep you protected, from sterilisation booths to thermal screening and facial recognition.
Watch now
Abu Dhabi airport are introducing high-tech sterilisation booths that scan body temperature and disinfect passengers within three seconds. They’ll also implement thermal scanners with facial recognition. Our check-in teams will be monitoring guests for signs of symptoms.
If you’re flying from anywhere else in the world, you will be asked a series of questions during check-in – this is a basic assessment of your health and wellbeing. If it is required, our team will contact MEDLINK to determine whether you are fit to fly. Thermal screening is also in operation before boarding.
Temperature screening and COVID-19 PCR testing is in operation at Abu Dhabi airport. Our check-in teams will also monitor guests for signs of symptoms.
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. We’re introducing a Wellness Kit that will be provided to you on board. This will include gloves, 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.
All crew members are also required to self-quarantine between flights.
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.
Wherever possible in Abu Dhabi airport, we’re using self-service boarding gates. Otherwise, please tell the gate agent that you’d prefer to scan your own boarding pass. You’ll just be asked to present your boarding pass and passport for verification.
This depends on the country that you are travelling to. To help, we’ll keep you updated with the latest travel guidelines for the destinations we’re flying to.
Yes, for peace of mind and to keep everyone protected, you must have a COVID-19 PCR test before you fly with Etihad Airways.
Your test must be carried out a maximum of 96 hours before your flight departure time at any government accredited medical facility. Timings will differ if you are flying to China or select destinations. Guests departing Pakistan and India must use an Etihad approved medical facility.
Children under 12 and people with severe and moderate disabilities are exempt from COVID-19 PCR testing. This may vary by destination – always check before you fly.
You will only be permitted to fly if you have a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued by an approved clinic a maximum of 96 hours before your flight departure time.
Remember to print your test results and keep them with you throughout your trip – you will be required to present your result for validation at check-in.
You will undergo thermal screening and COVID-19 PCR testing when you land at Abu Dhabi airport, this will take some time to complete. This applies to all guests, excluding children under 12.
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. This includes moving an ill guest to our quarantine area on board the aircraft and designating a toilet for their use only.
We will notify the relevant health authorities upon arrival.
This depends on where you are flying to and from, and you should always check this in advance. If you are permitted to bring your own food on board, our crew will not be able to reheat this for you.
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 guidelines.
Yes, we will still offer milk and pre-packaged baby food, or our crew can heat milk for you.
Yes, we carry a supply onboard.
Yes, our baby bassinets are cleaned, disinfected and sealed after use.
Yes, baby changing tables are cleaned and disinfected every two hours.
We assist you if you are travelling alone, otherwise please ask a family member or travel companion to assist you.
When we land in Abu Dhabi, you’ll be directed to a secure area of the airport terminal. Please remember to keep your face mask on, and follow the new measures that have been put in place to keep you protected.
Our team will carry out an extensive, deep clean of the aircraft, including seats, seatbelts, toilets, tray tables and armrests.
As soon as our cabins have been cleaned, you’ll re-board the aircraft, and we’ll continue to our final destination. You will not need to collect your baggage when we land in Abu Dhabi.
Yes. You may carry up to 100ml of hand sanitiser in your cabin baggage on board, or up to a total of 2l in your checked baggage. If you are carrying hand sanitiser in your checked baggage, each container must not exceed 500ml.
On board, you’ll also receive a complimentary wellness kit which includes hand sanitiser, as well as a face mask and gloves.
The maximum allowed capacity of gels and liquids that you can carry on board may vary by country and carrier, so always check in advance before you travel.
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 2021. 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.
