Introduction
Etihad Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Arab Emirates. If you have booked a flight on Etihad, there are several ways you can manage your booking both before and after your trip. This includes options to select seats, change flights, add services like extra baggage, and more. This guide will walk you through the main ways to manage an existing Etihad Airways booking.
Check Your Booking Details
The first step to Etihad Manage Booking is to check the details. This is easily done on the Etihad website or mobile app. You can find and view your booking by:
- Entering your booking reference and last name
- Searching using the email address you used to book the flights
Once you have accessed your booking, review key details like departure times, flight numbers, destinations, booked services/add-ons, passenger names, and more. This will show you what you have currently booked and give context for any changes you may wish to make.
Select Your Seats
One of the most common booking management tasks is choosing your seats. Unless you pre-selected seats when booking, you will need to manually assign seats for your Etihad flight. On many planes, Etihad offers options like extra legroom seats and seats with additional recline that you can purchase.
Use the Etihad seat maps to view the aircraft layout and see which seats are still available. Select your preferred seats for each flight segment based on your needs and preferences. Try to do this as soon as possible after booking, as seat options become more limited closer to departure.
Add or Change Services
You may also want to add optional extras and services to your existing Etihad booking, or modify services you already selected:
- Baggage Allowance: Purchase and add checked bags if not already included. You can also pre-pay for extra checked bags.
- Meals: Choose and purchase meals, especially for any long-haul flights.
- Chauffeur Service: Add a private chauffeur transfer to/from the airport (available in some markets).
- Lounge Access: Gain entry to Etihad Lounges and Partner Lounges by buying a lounge pass.
- Seat Upgrades: Upgrade to a higher class cabin by using Etihad Guest Miles or paying a fee (when available).
- Special Requests: Enter any special requests, like dietary requirements, through Manage My Booking.
Review what add-ons are already on your booking and modify or add any extras you may want. This can make your travel more comfortable and convenient.
Change or Cancel Flights
If your plans change, you may need to alter your Etihad flights. There are a few options, including:
- Change Flight Date/Time: Adjust your departure or return date if needed. A fare/tax difference may apply.
- Change Destination: Switch some or all segments to different Etihad destinations. Again, pricing differences may result.
- Cancel Flight: If no longer traveling or making other arrangements, cancel part or all of your booking. Cancellation fees and fare rules determine any refund eligibility.
Initiate changes through Manage Booking and be aware of terms like change/cancellation deadlines, flight availability, and rebooking policies when adjusting existing bookings. Having travel insurance can help offset costs incurred due to changing plans.
Track Upcoming Flights
As your trip gets closer, use the Etihad app or website to monitor your flight status. Access real-time updates on departure times, gates, aircraft, connections, baggage claim, and more. You can also set flight status notifications to automatically alert you if delays or changes occur.
Tracking upcoming flights lets you stay on top of schedule changes and gate information while at the airport. This allows for smoother, less stressful travel.
Check-In Online
Online and mobile check-in is available for most Etihad flights starting 24 hours pre-departure. Check-in via Manage Booking to access:
- Digital boarding pass
- Advance seat assignments
- Option to purchase upgrades/extras
- Baggage tracking
- Arrival immigration form
Checking in online and accessing your mobile boarding pass can save significant time when getting to the airport. It also lets you manage aspects of your reservation right up until departure.
Summary
Effectively managing your existing Etihad Airways booking involves steps like checking details, selecting seats, adding services, changing/cancelling flights, tracking upcoming trips, and online check-in. Take advantage of Etihad’s online and mobile tools to customize your booking, stay updated on status changes, and have greater control over your upcoming travels. Handling logistics ahead of time results in a smoother, less stressful journey.
