Strategic Aviation
Established Member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2017
- Posts
- 1,385
They used the E word!
Etihad Will Begin Charging For Economy Seat Assignments - One Mile at a Time
Etihad Will Begin Charging For Economy Seat Assignments - One Mile at a Time
Etihad Airways sent out an email this morning to Etihad Guest members, with the headline “Enhance Your Economy Class Journey.” How is Etihad enhancing the economy journey? By adding fees to select seats, of course, given that this will “ensure you select the perfect seat onboard.” That’s some next level marketing spin.
For flights as of July 15, 2018, Etihad will be charging for all economy seat assignments. This new fee will apply on Economy Deal, Economy Saver, and Economy Classic fares, as well as award tickets, though Economy Flex tickets will still be eligible for complimentary seat assignments in advance. As before, passengers can continue to select seats for free within 24 hours of departure.
It’s especially ridiculous that they’re applying this to tickets that are already issued. In other words, if you already booked a ticket for travel on July 15 or later but haven’t selected a seat, you’ll now be charged for the privilege of doing so.
This move doesn’t come as much of a surprise, and if anything I’m surprised it took Etihad so long to add this fee, given the financial situation they’re in. The airline is about to undergo a radical restructuring, and I fear as part of that we’ll continue to see them cost cut.