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Airline review · EY
Choose Well
Etihad Airways operates from Abu Dhabi's new Midfield Terminal with Business Studio, The Residence on A380, and lounges scoring 9.0/10 — a premium Gulf alternative to Emirates and Qatar.
Last updated 30 June 2026
Etihad Airways scores 8.3/10 (safety 9.4/10), ranking #9 globally — Wi-Fi is paid or route-dependent. Baggage: 23–32 kg by cabin. Economy seat pitch: 31–32"; loyalty programme: Etihad Guest. Full passenger policy tables, category scores, and the fares search follow below.
Scores mean naming who a carrier is NOT for. From our rated findings:
Baggage, Wi-Fi, legroom, and lounge access for Etihad Airways — expand for the full matrix.
| Cabin baggage | Included — standard carry-on allowance applies |
|---|---|
| Checked baggage | 23–32 kg by cabin |
| In-flight Wi-Fi | Partial — free messaging or select routes/cabins only |
| Economy seat pitch | 31–32" |
| Lounge access | Etihad lounges AUH and partners |
| Changes & refunds | Flex fares allow changes |
| Loyalty programme | Etihad Guest |
Verified baggage allowances, punctuality, fleet, safety and loyalty facts for Etihad Airways.
| Cabin bag | 1 piece 56 × 36 × 23 cm, 7 kg (premium cabins 2 bags 12 kg + 5 kg personal item) · Up to 7 kg |
|---|---|
| Checked bag (economy) | US/Canada 2 × 23 kg (Basic none); other routes vary by fare and weight/piece concept |
| Checked bag (business) | 2 × 32 kg to US/Canada; weight concept elsewhere by route |
| Seat selection | Free on higher economy fares; lowest fare pays |
| Change fee | Varies by fare; flexible fares free, saver fares fee + fare difference |
81.06%
on time — Full year 2025 (arrivals within 15 min)
Cirium 2025 On-Time Performance Review (Jan 2026) — Middle East & Africa top 10
Punctuality is 20% of the FlightLogic score — see our methodology.
IOSA-registered; UAE GCAA oversight
FlightLogic editorial safety score: 9.4/10 — our own assessment, separate from IOSA registry status.
Tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum
Quarterly tracking began Q3 2026 — earlier scores were not archived.
Etihad Airways operates from Abu Dhabi's new Midfield Terminal with Business Studio, The Residence on A380, and lounges scoring 9.0/10 — a premium Gulf alternative to Emirates and Qatar.
Key strengths: New AUH Midfield Terminal lounges. Business Studio on 787 and A350. Competitive UK–Asia business fares. Areas for improvement: Smaller network than Emirates or Qatar. Etihad Guest less Avios-integrated than QR.
Coming soon
We are building verified reader reviews for Etihad Airways. Readers will be able to submit a review with proof of travel — a boarding pass or booking confirmation — emailed to [email protected].
Reader scores are published separately from FlightLogic editorial ratings and never change the editorial score.
Etihad Airways scores 8.3/10 overall on FlightLogic (5-Star) — an editorial expert rating, not an aggregate of consumer reviews. Strengths include New AUH Midfield Terminal lounges; Business Studio on 787 and A350.
Etihad Airways scores 9.4/10 on FlightLogic's safety index — calculated separately from passenger experience using IOSA certification, accident history, fleet age, and regulatory compliance.
Etihad Airways is not a member of a global airline alliance.
Etihad Airways's primary hub is Abu Dhabi (AUH). The airline was founded in 2003 and operates approximately 90 aircraft.
