Etihad Airways Prepares for Peak Travel at Zayed Airport
To ensure guests enjoy a smooth start to their journey, the airline is encouraging early planning and utilisation of its comprehensive digital services.
The airline expects particularly high passenger volumes during: School Spring break: March 20-April 13
Eid Al Fitr: Late March
Hajj season: May
Eid Al Adha: Early June
School Summer break: June 28-August 24
Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Etihad Airways Interim Chief Operations and Guest Officer, said: 'We're preparing to welcome thousands of additional guests during these peak periods. Our teams are fully prepared to ensure every journey begins smoothly, and we recommend travellers take advantage of our numerous check-in options and digital tools to enjoy a relaxed start to their holidays.' Staying informed is key during busy travel periods. Guests can easily access the latest flight information through the Manage My Booking section on etihad.com or via the mobile app
To avoid potential queues, guests are strongly encouraged to arrive at the airport at least four hours before departure during peak periods. For added convenience, Etihad offers multiple early check-in options, including online check-in opening 48 hours before departure and is available through etihad.com or the mobile app. After checking in online, guests can use the many automated self-service bag drops at the terminal, allowing them to weigh and tag their bags and collect their boarding pass in under a minute
There are several off-airport check-in and bag-drop facilities are also available at: Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal (open 24 hours)
The Fountains – YAS Mall (open from 10am to 10pm)
Mussafah (open from 10am to 10pm) at 38 Al Arzaq Street, Behind Al Madina Hypermarket
Al Ain (open from 10am till 10pm) at Lulu Hypermarket Kuwaitat, Shakhboot Bin Sultan St
For ultimate convenience, guests can start their journey with home check-in through MORAFIQ, available up to five hours before departure. Starting from AED185 ($50), this service includes baggage check-in, seat selection, and doorstep delivery of boarding passes.
Upon return to Abu Dhabi, the Land and Leave service offers a seamless arrival experience. Guests can proceed directly to their destination while MORAFIQ delivers their bags to any Abu Dhabi address within three hours of landing. These services can be booked via the MORAFIQ app or website.
Travellers to US destinations must check in at Terminal A at least four hours before their flight. First, Business, and The Residence guests should arrive at the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility 90 minutes before departure, while all other guests must arrive two hours before departure.
The facility closes one hour before flight departure.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Gulf Insider
All You Need To Know About Saudi Arabia's Haramain High-Speed Rail (HHR)
The Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR) is one of Saudi Arabia's fastest and most convenient ways to travel between major cities including Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah, significantly cutting travel time compared to road transport. It is the preferred choice for many Umrah pilgrims and is heavily used during the Hajj season. Spanning 450 km, the railway connects the two Holy Mosques via key stops at Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City. Operating at speeds of up to 300 km/h, the electric train offers a seamless travel experience for passengers journeying between these important destinations. Each train has 417 seats, including 113 in Business Class and 304 in Economy Class, along with a dining area located in the fifth coach for added comfort. The Haramain High-Speed Railway links five key stations across Saudi Arabia, serving millions annually, especially during Hajj and Ramadan. Each station features Islamic-inspired architecture combined with modern facilities. Makkah Station: Located 3.5 km from Masjid Al-Haram, with design elements reflecting the Kiswa cloth and services tailored for pilgrims. Located 3.5 km from Masjid Al-Haram, with design elements reflecting the Kiswa cloth and services tailored for pilgrims. Al-Sulimaniyah (Jeddah) Station: A major transport hub in Jeddah, about 20 km from King Abdulaziz Airport. It connects Jeddah to other major destinations along the Haramain route. A major transport hub in Jeddah, about 20 km from King Abdulaziz Airport. It connects Jeddah to other major destinations along the Haramain route. Airport (Jeddah) Station: Inside King Abdulaziz International Airport, offering seamless connections to buses, taxis, and parking. Designed to accommodate large crowds, the station is especially efficient during peak travel seasons such as Hajj and Ramadan. Inside King Abdulaziz International Airport, offering seamless connections to buses, taxis, and parking. Designed to accommodate large crowds, the station is especially efficient during peak travel seasons such as Hajj and Ramadan. King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) Station: Serves the economic city and visitors, near King Abdullah Port. It is designed to serve both business travellers and tourists visiting the region. Serves the economic city and visitors, near King Abdullah Port. It is designed to serve both business travellers and tourists visiting the region. Madinah Station: Near the city centre, inspired by the Prophet's Mosque colours and Islamic patterns. Business Class – Each train includes 113 Business Class seats, with two designated for passengers with special needs. Business Class offers spacious, premium seating and a variety of like adjustable seats with extra legroom and foldable tables. Passengers also benefit from allocated seating, foldable armrests, and headrests. Economy Class – Economy Class offers 304 well-designed seats at an affordable price, making it accessible for all travellers. Passengers enjoy many of the same features as Business Class, including foldable tables, armrests, seat headrests and allocated seating. Cafeteria – Located in the fifth coach of each train, the onboard cafeteria provides passengers with a variety of food and drink options available from the moment they board. Stations provide spacious halls, retail shops, restaurants, cafés, prayer rooms, parking, taxi stands, car rentals, luggage trolleys, and wheelchairs. Shuttle buses run from Makkah and Madinah stations to key locations, with shelter buses at KAEC. All the stations have ticket offices, ticket machines and information desks to assist passengers. Passengers may bring one large luggage piece (up to 25 kg and 65 x 55 x 35 cm) plus one small personal item (e.g., backpack or laptop bag). Overhead shelves and designated racks are available on board. All baggage undergoes security screening before boarding. You can purchase tickets through the following channels: Station ticket offices Ticket vending machines at stations Online via the official Haramain High-Speed Railway website: Visit and click 'Book a seat'. Select your trip type, route, and travel date. Enter the number of passengers. Choose your train and preferred seat. Provide your personal and travel document details – National ID, Passport, Iqama, or GCC ID Review the ticket price and complete payment using a credit or debit card. Discounts for children and passengers with special needs Children in Economy Class: 50 per cent off base fare Children in Business Class: 40 per cent off base fare Infants sharing a seat with an adult: 90 per cent discount (limited to one infant per adult) Additional infants with their own seat: same discounts as children (40 per cent and 50 per cent ) Passengers with special needs: 50 per cent discount with a valid ID proving eligibility Prices vary by route and class. For example, Jeddah Airport to Mecca costs SAR 34 (economy) and SAR 78 (business). Jeddah to Madinah fares start at SAR 150 (economy) and SAR 210 (business). Check current fares at
Gulf Insider
6 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Launches E-Service To Expand Hotel Capacity Ahead Of Hajj 2026
As preparations begin for next year's Hajj season, Saudi Arabia is turning to digital tools to ease the strain on accommodation in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The Ministry of Tourism has introduced a new online service that allows operators of licenced hospitality facilities in Mecca and Medina to apply for additional bed capacity ahead of the Hajj season 2026. The application process follows specific procedures and requirements set by the ministry. Officials said the initiative is part of a broader effort to expand digital services and simplify administrative processes, improving efficiency in the hospitality sector and ensuring that pilgrims receive high standards of service during one of the busiest times of the year. The service also reflects the ministry's early planning for the pilgrimage season and its strategy to strengthen support for accommodation providers, enhance quality, and provide user-friendly electronic systems. The ministry said it hopes to leverage these digital tools to make the journey of pilgrims smoother and more comfortable. Licenced operators can access the new service through the tourism activities licencing portal on the ministry's website.
Gulf Insider
29-07-2025
- Gulf Insider
Etihad Airways First Airbus A321LR Enters Service August 2025
Etihad Airways will begin commercial service with its first Airbus A321LR aircraft on 1st August 2025, following completion of final preparations at Zayed International Airport. The carrier plans to deploy the aircraft on the Abu Dhabi-Phuket route initially, before extending operations to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Milan, Paris, and Zurich. The A321LR, operating under flight number EY3210, touched down at Zayed International Airport on Friday. Etihad employees and stakeholders gathered at the airport to mark the aircraft's arrival. The delivery forms part of the airline's expansion programme, which has seen the airline launch or announce 27 new routes this year. The carrier expects to receive nine more A321LR aircraft during 2025. The fleet addition supports Abu Dhabi's development as a global aviation hub and advances the airline's Journey 2030 strategy, which targets carrying 38 million passengers annually. The A321LR enables airlines to operate on routes previously requiring wide-body aircraft, combining fuel efficiency with range capabilities of up to 4,000 nautical miles.
