Etihad Airways Review 2026: How the Airline Is Performing Through the Middle East Crisis

Last updated: Apr 16, 2026

The Middle East conflict has thrown Gulf aviation into turmoil, and Etihad Airways has been right in the centre of it. With flights suspended, airspace closures, and thousands of passengers stranded, travellers have been asking a fair question: is Etihad still a good airline to fly in 2026?

The short answer is yes, but with caveats. A US-Iran ceasefire took effect on 8 April 2026, giving Etihad its most sustained window of operational stability since the crisis began. The airline is now operating over 100 daily departures from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to around 80 destinations, and its schedule has been expanding steadily. The product remains strong, the safety record is spotless, and the crisis response has been proactive. Here’s the full picture.

What Happened: The Crisis Timeline

On 28 February 2026, joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered immediate airspace closures across the Gulf. Etihad Airways, along with Emirates and Qatar Airways, suspended all commercial flights.

Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport was directly affected by Iranian drone strikes in early March, forcing a complete shutdown. Etihad suspended all departures until 2 PM on Wednesday, 5 March, with only limited repatriation flights operating during this period. Repairs to the airport have since been completed.

By 6 March, Etihad began a phased resumption of limited commercial services. Since then, the airline has been scaling up week by week. The two-week US-Iran ceasefire that took effect on 8 April provided a breakthrough, allowing Etihad to accelerate its recovery to over 100 daily departures by mid-April.

Where Etihad Flies Right Now

Etihad is operating a growing schedule to approximately 80 destinations from Abu Dhabi, covering key markets across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. The airline is running between 86 and 102 daily departures, depending on the day, as it rebuilds toward pre-crisis capacity.

Recently Resumed

Etihad resumed Tel Aviv service on 15 April with two daily flights, following the reopening of Ben Gurion Airport under the ceasefire. The airline plans to expand to four daily Tel Aviv flights from 2 May using its A321LR aircraft.

Still Suspended

As of mid-April 2026, Etihad flights to Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha, Beirut, Johannesburg, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Tunis, and Madinah remain suspended. Bahrain, Beirut, and Madinah are expected to resume in May or June 2026. Kuwait International Airport remains closed after sustaining damage from drone strikes, with no reopening date announced. Doha remains off the schedule due to ongoing Qatari airspace restrictions.

Important: Not all destinations operate daily. Schedules remain subject to short-notice changes if the ceasefire breaks down or regional airspace closes again. Always check Etihad’s flight status page or use Wego’s flight tracker before heading to the airport.

Is Etihad a Good Airline? The Safety Verdict

Setting the crisis aside for a moment, Etihad Airways holds one of the strongest safety records in global aviation. The airline has never suffered a fatal accident in commercial passenger operations since its founding in 2003.

In early 2026, AirlineRatings named Etihad the World’s Safest Airline for 2026 and awarded it a Seven-Star PLUS safety rating, the highest possible score. Etihad became the first of the Gulf’s \”big three\” carriers (alongside Emirates and Qatar Airways) to achieve this distinction, and only the fourth airline globally.

Beyond safety scores, Etihad holds a Skytrax 4-Star Airline certification for overall product and service quality.

The crisis hasn’t changed any of this. What it has changed is the reliability of getting where you need to go on time. On-time performance has been below the airport’s usual standards throughout the crisis, though it has been improving as operations stabilise under the ceasefire.

Etihad Business Class: Is It Still Worth It?

If you’re considering paying a premium for Etihad’s Business Class during the crisis, here’s what you need to know. The product itself hasn’t been downgraded. What has changed is aircraft deployment on certain routes.

The A350-1000 Experience

Etihad’s flagship Business Class lives on the Airbus A350-1000, featuring 44 fully enclosed forward-facing suites in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout. Every seat has direct aisle access, a privacy door, and a lie-flat bed stretching 79 inches (200 cm).

These suites use Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats and are currently deployed on Etihad’s highest-value routes, including New York JFK, Chicago, Sydney, and Melbourne. From 15 June 2026, Etihad is doubling A350 frequencies to Chicago with twice-daily service.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 make up the bulk of Etihad’s wide-body fleet (47 aircraft total). Business Class on the 787 uses a spacious 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access for every passenger. Seats convert to fully flat beds measuring 1.9 metres long.

You’ll find these on medium and long-haul routes to destinations like London, Frankfurt, Bangkok, and Delhi.

Business Class Amenities

Long-haul Business Class passengers receive Giorgio Armani-designed amenity kits with ESPA skincare products, including Nourishing Lip Treatment, Hydrating Spa Face Mist, and Rejuvenating Hand and Body Lotion, plus plush slippers. Passengers on ultra-long-haul flights over nine hours also receive Etihad loungewear.

The \”dine anytime\” concept lets you eat when you want rather than on a fixed schedule. The inflight entertainment system offers over 100 movies, 300 TV shows, and live sports.

At Abu Dhabi, Business Class passengers access Etihad’s flagship lounge, which features Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine, a premium bar, private shower suites, and dedicated workspaces.

The Crisis Impact on Business Class

Some routes that normally get wide-body aircraft have been temporarily downgraded to A321neo or A321LR service as Etihad adjusts its fleet to match reduced demand. Zurich, for instance, switched from a 787 to an A321LR. If you’re paying Business Class prices, check your aircraft type before booking to ensure you’re getting the product you expect.

Economy Class: What to Expect

Etihad’s Economy Class is consistently rated above average for the industry. On the 787 Dreamliner, economy seats come with personal entertainment screens loaded with over 100 movies, 300 TV shows, and 60 interactive games. The system includes live news, sports channels, and content from Apple TV and HBO Max.

Meals are served on trays with an appetiser, main course, bread roll, dessert, and water. Metal cutlery is standard across all cabins. Passengers typically get a choice of two to three mains.

For budget travellers flying through the crisis, Economy Class on Etihad offers a reliable, comfortable product. Just be prepared for potential delays and keep your booking flexible.

How Etihad Has Handled the Crisis

This is where the 2026 review gets really interesting. An airline’s true character shows during a crisis, and Etihad’s response has been largely positive, with some notable friction points.

What Etihad Got Right

Flexible rebooking policy: Passengers with tickets issued on or before 28 February 2026, with original travel dates from 28 February through 15 May 2026, can rebook free of charge onto Etihad-operated flights for travel through 15 June 2026. This waiver has been extended multiple times as the crisis evolved. Rebooking is limited to one free date change in the same cabin class and same fare brand, and codeshare flights on Etihad ticket stock (607) are included. Rerouting to alternative airports within the same region is also permitted free of charge.

Full refund option: Passengers on cancelled flights, or those with non-cancelled flights for travel on or before 15 May 2026, can request a refund through Etihad’s refund form or via their travel agent. Fees and service charges are waived.

Repatriation flights: In the first days of the crisis, Etihad operated special repatriation flights from Abu Dhabi to destinations including Islamabad, Paris, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Cairo, and London, even while commercial services were fully suspended.

Loyalty programme adjustments: From 18 March 2026, Etihad Guest reduced tier qualification requirements by 25% until 31 March 2027 for all members globally. Gold qualification, for example, dropped from 50,000 to 37,500 Tier Miles. The reduction applies automatically and members can upgrade multiple tiers during the offer period. The airline also suspended fuel surcharges on award tickets for Middle East regional flights through August 2026 and credited 10,000 complimentary miles to all active members as of 21 March 2026. Miles validity has been extended by 18 months based on qualifying member flight activity.

Flexible new bookings: Guests who book from 6 March 2026 onwards are entitled to one free date change across all fare brands for travel through 31 March 2027.

Where Passengers Have Complained

Despite the positives, the experience hasn’t been seamless. Industry reports highlighted long wait times for refund processing, with some passengers reporting delays well beyond Etihad’s stated 5 to 14 business days for card refunds. Other payment methods can take up to 45 business days.

Some travellers also reported cancelled rebookings, where flights they’d been moved to were subsequently cancelled again as the situation evolved. The Etihad app has drawn criticism for lacking real-time luggage tracking and for upselling seat selection even on premium tickets.

Etihad’s Fleet and Network Plans

Etihad operates a fleet of approximately 121 aircraft across five families.

Wide-Body Fleet

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner: 37 aircraft. Etihad’s workhorse for medium and long-haul routes.

Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner: 10 aircraft. Higher-capacity variant for high-demand routes.

Airbus A350-1000: 9 aircraft. The newest and best Business Class product. Premium long-haul routes.

Boeing 777-300ER: 9 aircraft. Legacy wide-body, still serving key routes.

Boeing 777-200LR: 5 aircraft. Ultra-long-range operations.

Airbus A380-800: 6 aircraft. Flagship double-decker on select high-profile routes. From 17 June 2026, the A380 takes over the Tokyo Narita route daily, marking the type’s debut in Japan.

Narrow-Body Fleet

Airbus A321neo: 15 aircraft. Modern short and medium-haul operations.

Airbus A320: 15 aircraft. Regional routes.

Airbus A321: 9 aircraft. Medium-haul routes.

New Routes for 2026

Despite the crisis, Etihad has continued its ambitious expansion plan. New destinations launched or confirmed for 2026 include Bucharest, Tashkent, Charlotte (from 4 May), Salalah (seasonal from 21 May), and Krakow (from 16 June), alongside previously announced routes to Almaty, Baku, Tbilisi, Yerevan, and Medina. The airline is targeting over 90 destinations by mid-2026, though timelines will depend on how the regional security situation evolves.

Rebooking and Refund Guide

If your Etihad flight has been disrupted by the crisis, here’s exactly what you can do right now.

Free Rebooking

Tickets issued on or before 28 February 2026 with original travel dates from 28 February through 15 May 2026 qualify for free rebooking onto any Etihad-operated flight for travel through 15 June 2026. No change fees apply. The rebooking must be in the same cabin class and fare brand. Fare differences between the original and new flight may still apply. Ticket re-issue must be completed on or before 15 May 2026.

Full Refund

If your flight was cancelled, standard schedule change policy applies. For non-cancelled flights with travel on or before 15 May 2026, you’re entitled to a full refund with fees and service charges waived. Go to Etihad’s Manage My Trip, enter your booking reference and surname, select the affected flight, and choose the refund option. Processing times: 5-14 business days for card payments, up to 45 business days for other methods. For travel from 16 May onwards, standard fare rules apply.

How to Check Your Flight Status

Use Wego’s Etihad flight tracker or Etihad’s official flight status page to confirm your flight is operating before heading to the airport. Abu Dhabi Airports has restricted terminal access to ticketed passengers with confirmed, operating flights only.

Should You Book Etihad Right Now?

Here’s our honest assessment for different types of travellers.

Book With Confidence If…

You’re flying on a well-established long-haul route (London, New York, Sydney, Delhi, Mumbai) where Etihad has maintained consistent service throughout the crisis. These routes are the last to be cut and the first to get restored frequencies.

Book With Caution If…

You’re flying a regional Middle East route or a route that’s only recently been restored. These are more vulnerable to sudden cancellations if the ceasefire breaks down or airspace closes again. Build at least one buffer day into your travel plans.

Consider Alternatives If…

You need 100% schedule reliability for a time-sensitive trip. The current ceasefire expires on 22 April and its extension is not guaranteed. No Gulf carrier can guarantee uninterrupted service while the situation remains fluid.

For anyone who does book, Etihad’s current flexible waiver policy covers travel through 15 May 2026 with rebooking through 15 June, providing a safety net. You can rebook or refund without penalty if conditions change. And if you’re booking new flights from 6 March onwards, you get one free date change for travel through March 2027.

The Bottom Line

Etihad Airways remains a good airline by every objective measure. Its Seven-Star safety rating, 4-Star Skytrax certification, and \”World’s Safest Airline for 2026\” title haven’t changed because of the crisis. The Business Class product, particularly on the A350-1000, is genuinely world-class.

What has changed is the operational environment. While the ceasefire has brought welcome stability and Etihad is now operating over 100 daily flights, the situation remains fragile. Reduced frequencies on some routes, potential schedule disruptions, and longer refund processing times are real issues that any traveller needs to factor in. But Etihad’s crisis response has been proactive: flexible rebooking, full refunds, repatriation flights, and meaningful loyalty programme concessions.

If you’re weighing whether to fly Etihad through the Middle East crisis, the airline itself isn’t the risk. The airspace situation is. And on that front, Etihad is doing about as well as any carrier can.

Search for flights to Abu Dhabi or browse Abu Dhabi hotels on Wego to start planning your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Etihad Airways safe to fly right now?

Yes. Etihad was named the World’s Safest Airline for 2026 by AirlineRatings and holds a Seven-Star PLUS safety rating. The airline has never had a fatal accident in its history. Etihad is rerouting flights using northern (via the Caucasus) and southern (via Oman and the Arabian Sea) bypass routes to avoid conflict zones. The risk isn’t the airline itself — it’s the possibility of disruptions if the ceasefire breaks down.

Can I get a refund on my Etihad flight?

If your flight was cancelled, standard schedule change policy applies and you can get a refund. For non-cancelled flights with travel on or before 15 May 2026, refunds are permitted with fees waived. Submit your request through Etihad’s refund form or via your travel agent. Card refunds take 5 to 14 business days; other payment methods can take up to 45 business days.

Is Abu Dhabi Airport open?

Yes. Zayed International Airport (AUH) is open and operating at growing capacity. Repairs from the early March drone strike have been completed. Etihad is running over 100 daily departures to around 80 destinations as of mid-April 2026. However, short-notice closures remain possible while the ceasefire holds. Terminal access is restricted to ticketed passengers with confirmed, operating flights — always confirm your flight status before heading to the airport.

Can I rebook my Etihad flight for free?

If your ticket was issued on or before 28 February 2026 and your original travel date falls between 28 February and 15 May 2026, you can rebook once for free onto any Etihad-operated flight for travel through 15 June 2026. Ticket re-issue must be completed by 15 May 2026. Fare differences may still apply. If you booked a new ticket from 6 March onwards, you also get one free date change for travel through 31 March 2027.

Are Etihad flights taking longer than usual?

Some routes are taking longer because Etihad is rerouting flights to avoid conflict airspace, using northern routes via the Caucasus and Afghanistan or southern routes via Oman and the Arabian Sea. European and North American routes in particular may see added flight time. Check your specific route details when booking.

Which Etihad routes are still suspended?

As of mid-April 2026, Etihad flights to Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha, Beirut, Johannesburg, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Tunis, and Madinah remain suspended. Bahrain, Beirut, and Madinah are expected to resume in May or June 2026. Kuwait International Airport remains closed after sustaining damage, and Doha is offline due to Qatari airspace restrictions.

Sources

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute travel advice. Conditions in the region are changing rapidly. Always check official airline and government sources before making travel decisions.