Etihad Airways introducing more flexible airfare

Etihad Airways is changing its fare structure from September 14 in a move it says will give passengers more flexibility.

The airline is introducing eight new pricing structures across economy, business, and first class airfares that offer passengers varied baggage allowance, ticket flexibility, frequent flyer points and baggage allowance, according to an emailed statement on Thursday.

All airfares will still include at least one checked in luggage of 23kg.

From September 14, there will be four types of economy airfares; “Breaking Deals,” “Saver,” “Value” and “Freedom.” Business airfare options will be “Breaking Deals,” “Saver” and “Freedom.” There will be one First Class airfare: “Freedom.”

All Economy airfares include one carry on bag of 7 kilograms. Economy Breaking Deals will offer the lowest airfare but will have the least amount of flexibility and lowest number of frequently flyer points to earn. Economy Breaking Deals and Saver include one checked in 23 kilogram baggage. Economy Value and Freedom include two 23 kilogram checked in luggage, greater flexibility when changing the airfare and passengers will earn a higher number of frequent flyer points than Breaking Deals and Saver. All Business and First Class tickets include two carry on bags of up to 12 kilograms and two checked in bags of up to 32 kilograms.

Etihad will also introduce lower excess baggage charges on most airfares but did not state which. Excess baggage costs of up to 23 kilograms of additional baggage can be reduced by up to 90 per cent on some routes and by a further 30 per cent if pre-purchased directly with Etihad up to 24 hours before travel.

Etihad said it introduced the new structure to better align its airfares with members of its Etihad Airways Partner programme. Members include Italy’s Alitalia and Germany’s Air Berlin.