ABU DHABI // Etihad Airways has a new fare structure and baggage allowance policy with lower costs for excess baggage.
The airline is adding eight fare choices from September 14 to allow travellers to tailor their bookings.
Each fare category will differ in baggage allowance, flexibility and benefits.
“This is about providing choice. In most industries there is a move towards allowing customers to tailor and customise their experience, and ours is no different,” said Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad.
“When it comes to booking a flight, not everyone’s needs are the same. Some guests want to travel light and on a budget, while others want to be able to make last-minute travel decisions, carry extra baggage or earn more miles.”
For example, the economy freedom fare option has more flexibility, more luggage allowance and priority check-in, he said.
The new structure for economy class includes breaking deals, saver, value and freedom. Business class has breaking deals, saver and freedom, while in first class there will only be one fare family – freedom.
A new baggage policy has been announced and it will provide guests with a more standardised allowance structure across the Etihad Airways partner network, while reducing the price for excess baggage charges on most routes.
As part of the policy change, the cost of excess baggage will be cut on the majority of fares, Etihad said.
On some routes the cost of buying an additional 23-kilogramme piece of baggage will be cut by up to 90 per cent, with a further reduction of up to 30 per cent if pre-purchased directly with the airline at least 24 hours before travel.
The new baggage policy will also come into effect for bookings on or after September 14.
The new fare structure will be available on all of the airline’s booking channels, including its website, retail locations, global contact centre and travel agencies.
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