Ensuring the safety and wellness of our guests and employees is Etihad’s priority and the airline has launched several initiatives under ‘Etihad Wellness’, an expanded and comprehensive health and hygiene programme and customer guide. This builds on the stringent measures already put in place by the airline to deal with COVID-19.
An industry-first initiative – Wellness Ambassadors
Etihad Wellness is championed by specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, an industry-first initiative. This multi-lingual team, who undergo special training at our training facilities in Abu Dhabi and online, are available round the clock to provide essential travel health information and care so guests can fly with greater peace of mind. They will also help to ensure that global health and hygiene regulations are being fully adhered to, to keep guests protected when they travel. Prior to their journey, guests can reach out to them 24/7 via our live webchat. They are present on-ground at Abu Dhabi International Airport to ensure the same levels of care and support are provided at every point of the customer journey through the airport. This dedicated team will be present onboard every flight, providing an enhanced level of customer care focused on health and wellness inflight.
Etihad’s COVID-19 global wellness insurance
Guests who are diagnosed with COVID-19 during their trip won’t have to worry about medical expenses or quarantine costs when they fly with Etihad. The airline has introduced a COVID-19 global wellness insurance cover – just one of the ways that Etihad promises to keep their guests protected with Etihad Wellness. The cover is included with every Etihad Airways ticket for travel up to 31 March 2021. Guests with existing bookings won’t need to do anything as they will be automatically enrolled into the programme. The insurance is automatically effective following the first flight outside of the guest’s home country and is valid for 31 days, or upon return to their home country if earlier.
IATA Travel pass for Etihad’s guests
To standardise the way in which passenger wellness can be assured during the COVID-19 pandemic, at an industry level, Etihad is actively campaigning for collaboration and a united regulatory response to restore confidence in flying. Etihad is one of the first airlines globally to launch IATA Travel Pass. It is a mobile app to help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with government requirements for COVID-19 tests or vaccines. The IATA Travel Pass will enable Etihad’s guests to create a ‘digital passport’ to receive COVID test results and verify they are eligible to undertake their journey. It will initially be offered to Etihad’s guests on selected flights from Abu Dhabi in the first quarter of 2021.
Mandatory COVID-19 testing before every flight
Countries around the world have issued specific rules and regulations to limit the spread of COVID-19 and we are taking all precautions to keep guests protected when they travel. Etihad remains the first and only airline in the world that requires 100% of its passengers to show a negative PCR test before departure and on arrival in Abu Dhabi. It is mandatory for guests flying Etihad to have a COVID-19 RT PCR test carried out a maximum of 72 hours before their flight departure time at any government accredited medical facility.
