Wondering how you can book cheap tickets? Etihad has introduced a new baggage deal that’ll save you big bucks. Travellers not checking in luggage can now avail a new baggage deal, that lets you book cheap tickets. Etihad’s new hand-baggage-only fares allows economy travellers to book cheaper tickets.
Earlier, hand-baggage-only fares was applicable only to destinations in GCC including Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Azerbaijan. However, UAE’s national airline has now introduced this fare across 14 other destinations for flights in July and August.
Meanwhile, we spoke to Neerja Bhatia, the India Vice President of Etihad Airways, on how to inspire confidence in the passengers for travelling, once the travel bans are lifted. Read the full interview here.
Countries That Now Have Economy Deal Fares
- Belarus
- Greece
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Turkey
Free Hand-Baggage Check In
Travellers booking these flights will be able to check in their hand baggage free of cost. Passengers are allowed to carry handbag, laptop bag or backpack, with a 5 kilogram weight limit- as part of hand baggage. Effectively, travellers booking these flights will be able to fly with a total of 12kg baggage- 7kg of hand-baggage and 5kg as a personal item ideal for a short break.
Etihad guest members can avail more allowance for baggage. Silver members can carry up to 10 kilograms while Platinum members can take up to 20 kilograms. Etihad Airways Has Resumed Flights To 58 Destinations Worldwide– to, from and through Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Trials ‘Contactless’ Technology At Check-In
For the first time ever, Etihad airlines has launched a contactless covid screening system. The new technology screens Etihad passengers, identifying medically at-risk travellers. The technology helps in screening early stages of Covid-19. The system is currently being tried in Etihad’s hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad, Fly Dubai, Air India & More Airlines Announce Reopenings. As the airline Resumes Flights To 58 Destinations Worldwide, it looks like passengers must gear up for a new normal.
The ‘Fit To Fly’ System
The new system is designed by Australian company Elenium Automation, the system scans passengers’ heart rates, temperature and respiratory rates. The application uses thermal imagery, motion sensors and voice recognition. It also permits self-automated check-in and bag-drop facilities. In case a possible illness is detected, an alert is sent to the Etihad staff on-site or via teleconference, who will then take the necessary action.
Besides, the application will also ask a number of questions about what you have been doing over the past 14 days and if you have a cough. To this, travellers can reply with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Once all the questions are answered, the system will analyse the information.
That said, could The Future Of Airplanes Be Double-Decker Seats? Read on to find out.
If the passenger is given an ‘all clear’ signal, he can move and drop his bags. In case there are problems, Etihad’s staff will be notified and a secondary assessment will be conducted. The technology is currently in a trial phase and over the next few weeks Etihad will be trying it out with its guests.
However, Etihad warns that the system is not designed to detect any illness, but is only an indicator to identify people who could possibly be ill.
Jorg Oppermann, vice president hub and midfield operations at Etihad Airways said: “This technology is not designed or intended to diagnose medical conditions. It is an early warning indicator which will help to identify people with general symptoms, so that they can be further assessed by medical experts, potentially preventing the spread of some conditions to others preparing to board flights to multiple destinations.”
Meanwhile, here are 5 Things To Know Before Booking Air Tickets Amid COVID-19 Outbreak.