FUTURE OF TRAVEL
Etihad Airways has introduced futuristic initiatives that are transforming how we travel in the new normal
Prior to the global pandemic, individuals across the globe had become accustomed to a simpler travel experience. e past year has seen this practice change as countries globally have announced a di erent set of travel restrictions and guidelines, constantly updated by governments as well as international and local regulatory health bodies.
Hence, planning your journey in the current times is not as much about securing the best pricing options or seamless connections, but more importantly about ensuring a peaceful and safe air travel experience for you and your loved ones.
It is imperative that travellers y with assurance and keeping this in mind, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has introduced a host of measures to revive the con dence in international travel via initiatives that aim to ease the burden for travellers and ensure they have a peaceful journey, one that not only prioritises their wellness, but also builds a greener future for aviation and consequently the planet. We take you through how Etihad is transforming the ying experience with a combination of innovation and adaptability, setting high industry benchmarks yet again.
GUEST WELLNESS: ETIHAD’S PRIORITY A WELLNESS AMBASSADOR ON EVERY FLIGHT
Etihad Wellness is championed by specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, an industry-first initiative. is multi-lingual team who undergo special training at the airline’s 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.
ey 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. is dedicated team is also present onboard every ight, providing an enhanced level of customer care focused on health and wellness in ight.
100% OF ETIHAD’S CREW ONBOARD HAS BEEN VACCINATED
In February this year, Etihad became the rst airline in the world with all its operating pilots and cabin crew vaccinated to help curb the spread of Covid-19 and give passengers added assurance of safety. This has consolidated the airline’s position as an industry leader in its response to the pandemic and in keeping its employees and travellers safe.
VALIDITY OF ETIHAD’S GLOBAL WELLNESS COVER HAS BEEN EXTENDED
If any guest is diagnosed with Covid-19 during their trip, they won’t have to worry about medical expenses or quarantine costs when they y with Etihad. e airline has introduced a global Covid-19 wellness insurance as part of their health and hygiene programme, Etihad Wellness, which is included with every Etihad ticket up to September 30 2021.
Commenting on the airline’s industryleading initiatives, Neerja Bhatia, vice president, India Sub-Continent, Etihad Airways said, “Although the past year has been challenging, the impact of the pandemic will not deter our commitment to India, a country that Etihad has been serving for sixteen years now. e airline has been prepared to resume services to key Indian gateways, o ering seamless connectivity to and convenient transfers via our home, Abu Dhabi. As the national airline of the UAE, Etihad has the advantage of the fact that two thirds of the world’s human footprint is within a four-hour ight of Abu Dhabi. e safety and wellness of our guests and employees is our ultimate priority.”
REVOLUTIONISING TRAVEL WITH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY ‘VERIFIED TO FLY’ WITH ETIHAD
Etihad’s ‘Veri ed To Fly’ travel document initiative enables travellers across its global network to validate their Covid-19 travel documents before arriving at the airport. With the formalities out of the way, veri ed travellers can enjoy fast track check-in at the airport by going to the dedicated Veri ed to Fly desk for a quicker and smoother experience. Available for the vast majority of Etihad flights, to use the Veri ed to Fly service, passengers can sign-up by visiting the website and following the simple instructions to upload and submit their travel documents. Guests will receive con rmation once their documents have been approved in line with government requirements and can travel to the airport with con dence and peace of mind, knowing they have met all essential requirements before their flight.
IATA TRAVEL PASS TRIALS
Etihad has been working with a variety of di erent companies, some within the industry, some outside of it, to develop technology required for a global health certi cation system. e airline has partnered with the International Air Transport Association to launch the IATA Travel Pass for its guests. is o ering, currently under trial, will help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with government requirements for Covid-19 tests or vaccines.
FACIAL BIOMETRIC CHECK IN FOR CABIN CREW
Etihad has partnered with information technology company SITA, to trial the use of facial biometrics to check in cabin crew at the airline’s Crew Brie ng Centre at Abu
As the national airline of the UAE, Etihad has the advantage of the fact that two thirds of the world’s human footprint is within a four-hour ight of Abu Dhabi
Dhabi International Airport. e trial will use facial recognition technology to identify and authenticate crew members, allowing them to complete check-in procedures and mandatory pre- ight safety and security questions digitally via their own mobile devices.
GREENER TOGETHER: ETIHAD LEADS THE WAY FOR SUSTAINABLE AVIATION ZERO NET CARBON EMISSIONS BY
While commercial aviation still only represents around 2 per cent of global human-made CO2 emissions, the airlines and infrastructure that support them are those that will lead the future of ying. In January last year, Etihad announced an ambitious target of zero net carbon emissions by 2050, with an additional goal of halving 2019 net emission levels by 2035. This will be achieved through a combination of internal initiatives and collaboration with industry partners to harness technology and innovation for operational e ciencies.
ETIHAD GREENLINER PROGRAMME
Etihad operated its rst ecoFlight for 2021 from Abu Dhabi to Rome in April this year, continuing research and testing under the Etihad Greenliner programme to assess environmental sustainability initiatives during scheduled services. is is Etihad’s fourth ecoFlight, operated on the airline’s signature Greenliner aircra which is fully o set for all operations through 2021 as part of the airline’s mission toward carbon neutral ying.
A key pillar of the programme is the Etihad-Boeing strategic global partnership, spearheaded by a specially themed Boeing 787 Dreamliner to test products, procedures and initiatives designed to reduce aircra carbon emissions.
SUPPORTING THE ECODEMONSTRATOR PROGRAMME
Under its Greenliner programme, Etihad partnered with industry leaders Boeing, NASA and Safran on the 2020 ecoDemonstrator programme. is saw an Etihad Boeing 787 aircra test initiatives to enhance safety and reduce CO2 emissions and noise, including two innovative wellness technologies to combat Covid-19 - a handheld ultraviolet light disinfecting system and an antimicrobial coating to prevent growth of bacteria on tray tables, armrests and other surfaces.
ETIHAD’S EFFORTS TOWARDS DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL
Exploring the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has been at the core of Etihad’s business for the last decade with the airline a key partner of Abu Dhabi’s Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium, along with Boeing, and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. In 2019, Etihad operated the first commercial ight from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner using clean, sustainable aviation fuel that had been re ned in Abu Dhabi. Sustainable fuel to reduce carbon emissions for the ight was derived from the oil in Salicornia plants, which were grown on the two-hectare farm in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi and re ned as part of the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) – the world’s rst desert ecosystem designed to produce fuel and food in saltwater.