Etihad Airways Flight Compensation and Refund

When Can You Claim Etihad Airways Compensation?

According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers affected by a delay, cancellation or denied boarding on an Etihad Airways flight may be entitled to compensation. Even if Etihad is based in the UAE, you might still be eligible for compensation of up to €600 (£520) if your flight departs from an airport in Europe (or the UK).

Etihad Airways Flight Delay Compensation

To qualify for Etihad Airways flight delay compensation, the following conditions must be met:

• The flight originates from a European airport.
• The delay is within Etihad’s control and not due to extraordinary circumstances. 
• Arrival at the final destination exceeds the scheduled arrival by more than three hours.
  
  

Under EU261, extraordinary circumstances are considered to be outside the airline’s control. Examples include bad weather, airport staff strikes, security threats, bird strikes, etc. If Etihad’s staff goes on strike or there are technical issues with the aircraft, the airline will be obligated to compensate you.

Compensation differs depending on the flight distance and duration of the delay (see table below). Flights operated by Etihad Airways and departing from a European airport typically  exceed 3,500 km which means you might receive the highest compensation. 

Etihad Airways Flight Cancellation Compensation

Your passenger rights are also protected by EU 261 in the event of an Etihad Airways cancellation (with no extraordinary circumstances present). As with delays, there are a few basic conditions that define your eligibility for compensation.

• The airline informed you of the disruption less than 14 days before your flight.
• Etihad notified you of the cancelled flight between 7 and 14 days before departure, and your replacement flight arrived more than 4 hours later than the originally scheduled arrival.
• The airline informed you of the cancellation with less than a week at hand, and you arrived more than 2 hours late.
  
  

The size of the compensation again varies with your journey’s distance, within the range of €250 (£220) and €600 (£520). Apart from that, you also have the right to care (food and beverages, transportation and accommodation if needed), and the choice between a full refund or a flight replacement.

Etihad Airways Denied Boarding Compensation

In case Etihad Airways does not allow you to board due to an overbooked flight, your passenger rights under EU261 also entitle you to financial compensation. The amount you may receive again depends on the flight distance. You will be eligible for compensation from €250 (£220) to €600 (£520) provided that your Etihad flight departs from an EU airport.  Keep in mind that Etihad will not owe you compensation if you were denied boarding due to inappropriate behaviour, failure to show up on time or to present a valid ID/passport.

On the other hand, the airline could try to misrepresent facts to avoid paying you. Make sure you have all your papers, take pictures of the gate screen with a time-stamp, and most importantly, do not volunteer to give up your seat. If you accept any vouchers or compensation in any other form, your right to EU261 compensation is automatically waived. 

Refund Policy Etihad Airways

As is standard practice for most airlines, Etihad Airways gives travellers a 24-hours window after placing a booking to cancel the reservation for free and receive a full refund. This opportunity applies only to direct bookings with Etihad.

If you need to cancel your flight after this 24-hours period, you could still receive a partial or full refund, depending on your ticket fare. Etihad offers three classes: Economy, Business, and First. The Economy and Business class have different ticket fares, each with its set of rules and conditions about rebooking, cancellation, and refunds.

In any case, you have up to four hours before the flight to request cancellation and claim a refund. If you don’t, you might be charged with a “no-show” fee.

If it is Etihad Airways that cancels your flight, you will have the option to rebook your flight or receive a full refund. Depending on the circumstances, you might also be entitled to compensation of up to €600 (£520) under EU261, as discussed above. Use our free compensation calculator to verify your eligibility. 

Find out your expected compensation

Check your compensation

1 Passenger Passengers

- +

€250

1500 km
or less

€600

3500 km
or more

€400

1500 - 3500 km

Check your compensation

Key points about flight delay compensation

There is no compensation for delayed flights in the United States. However, under DOT regulations you may be entitled to an automatic refund of the ticket cost in cases of significant delays.

Refund processing times

The official times depending on the payment method are the following:

• Credit or debit card: 21 business days;
• Another payment method: 45 business days.
• Etihad credit: refunded to your account immediately.

Etihad Airways Compensation and Refund Process Tips

Delayed processing times

If Etihad fails to reimburse you for a cancelled flight within the aforementioned timeframes or doesn’t pay your compensation, and refuses to cooperate, you have every right to seek help from an aviation law specialist. This is for claiming what is lawfully yours.

Downgrading

EU261 also guarantees you a 30% or 75% refund of your ticket fare, depending on the flight length, in case Etihad Airways downgrades you to a lower class. Additionally, you can claim a refund for any extra services you paid for.

Connecting flights

As a non-EU airline, Etihad may try to avoid its EU261 responsibilities. If you miss your connection due to delay or cancellation, you’re entitled to compensation for the entire journey, even if some legs are operated by partner airlines. However, all flights should be under a single booking. 

Expert tip: If you booked your ticket with a partnering airline, but the flight is operated by Etihad Airways, you should contact the issuing carrier. SkyRefund can help you submit your claim at the right place, simply fill in your flight details in our form, and we will take it from there.

Why SkyRefund

SkyRefund’s legal experts have almost a decade of experience in defending air passengers’ rights. Over the last years we have helped more than 700 000 passengers claim their compensation payouts. 

Submitting a claim with us is a fast and easy task that would not require more than five minutes of your time and more importantly, you do not risk anything thanks to our “No win, no fee” policy. We will charge 35% of the compensation amount you receive from Etihad Airways only if and when the airline pays you. 

Did you have a disrupted Etihad Airways flight?

Check your compensation for free!

Check your compensation