Etihad new allowances ‘good for most flyers’

ABU DHABI // Etihad Airways on Saturday reassured passengers that flyers on most routes would “benefit greatly” from its new baggage allowance policy.

On Monday, Etihad will introduce Fare Choices for all new bookings that comprise two features: a fare families/ branded fares initiative, which splits each cabin into Fare Choices with features offered depending on the fare paid, and a new baggage policy.

“The introduction of branded fares will allow our customers to customise their experience on Etihad and with increased transparency and ease,” a spokesman said.

“The baggage policy increases allowances across almost all travel. At the same time, fees for additional baggage have been decreased.”

The new regime is based on the airline’s research of baggage use and a survey of 1,000 travellers over six months.

For 35 per cent of passengers who book from Abu Dhabi, there will be no change in their allowance, 51 per cent will have an increase while the allowances of 14 per cent will be reduced.

“These are on routes where there is limited demand for baggage,” according to Etihad, noting holiday destination such as the Maldives, for example.

“Even then, Etihad has cut excess baggage charges by up to 90 per cent,” the airline said.

On average, the baggage allowance for UAE Guests will increase from 32.5 kilos per passenger to 40.6kg.

First Class flyers will have a 20 per cent increase, Business Class will go up 43 per cent, and in Economy Class a 21 per cent increase.

Most passengers in the UAE, 54 per cent, will see an increase in their allowance of between 14 and 16 kilos.

Etihad refuted complaints published in The National that low-income travellers would be at a disadvantage.

“In fact, they very much benefit,” the spokesman said.

For passengers flying to destinations on the Indian subcontinent, the baggage allowance remains unchanged. For passengers flying to Indonesia and the Philippines there is an increase from 30kg to two bags of 23kg (46kg).

For passengers flying to Africa, excluding South Africa and the Seychelles, there will be an increase from 30kg to two bags of 23kg.

On the Main Policy, which will affect a third of journeys from the UAE, guests will be allowed either one or two bags of 23kg based on Fare Choice.

At least 65 per cent of those passengers are projected to fly in the Value and Freedom Fare Choices – receiving the higher amount for no change in price, meaning an increase of 16kg compared to the 30kg limit.