Your days of walking onto an Etihad Airways flight hoping you haven’t lost the seating lottery are over.
The airline has introduced seat selection on economy flights – for a fee.
As part of the new policy, customers will be able to reserve standard seats for a small fee up to 24 hours prior to their departure on Etihad’s Economy Deal, Saver and Classic fare types.
And it is already effective, having been introduced on flights from July 15.
So no more having to put up with an aisle seat when you really, really wanted a window seat.
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A spokesperson for Etihad said: “Between 24 hours and the time of departure, seats can be booked as usual at no additional cost during the on-line check-in process.
“Together with a range of other seating options, including neighbour-free seats, extra legroom seats and preferred seats, customers are now provided with greater choice, allowing them to customise their travel experience to their requirements.”
According to Etihad’s website, the seats at the front of the economy class – which are now dubbed ‘preferred seats’ – will cost AED 130 to reserve, compared to AED 520 for extra legroom seats.
Standard seats will cost AED 100 to book in advance. Customers who wish to book economy flex, first or business class seats can continue to do so at no cost.
Dubai’s Emirates introduced seat selection fees in October 2016.
