Marisa Garcia Etihad Airways has announced the launch of a new mobile app for its customers intended to make air travel easier and more intuitive.
To celebrate the app’s launch, the airline is offering guests 10% off flights, and an additional 250 bonus miles for members of Etihad’s loyalty program, for every booking made through the mobile app before 30 May 2016.
“The mobile app marks a great step forward in our Digital Guest Innovation strategy. Through technology, we’re creating more personalised and tailored digital services and products to benefit our guests. This is just the beginning as we continue to empower our guests with greater control and flexibility over the entire booking and travel experience including how they choose to interact with our airline,” says Robert Webb, Etihad Aviation Group’s Chief Information Technology Officer.
A journey planning feature offers services to help travellers organize their trip, including booking tickets, checking-in for the flight, and flight status updates. But it also includes high resolution seat maps which let passengers explore their cabin and their seat in detail.
The bookings process is simplified, and lets customers compare their tiered fare choices and upgrade options. Customers can scan their passport page through the app when checking in and can pay for their tickets by scanning their credit card.
Boarding passes can be accessed through the app or dowloaded to iOS Wallet by those customers using Apple devices.
“Etihad Airways is dedicated to delivering excellence in every single guest interaction, be it face to face or on digital channels,” says Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer.
“We strive to provide innovative solutions that ensure our guests enjoy a seamless world-class service. We are confident that our guests will be delighted with the speed of the app, its ease of use and its considerable functionality. Regular travellers will also appreciate the ability to organise their journey on the go – all on the mobile app,” Baumgartner adds.
Through a collaboration with Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Etihad has incorporated a way-finding feature in its new mobile app, which includes indoor maps of the terminal and assisted navigation.
A ‘countdown to take off’ feature will ensure passengers get to their gate on time, with live flight status updates in real time sent to family and friends at home which lets them track progress of the flight as well.
Visitors to the airline’s stand at Air Travel Market (ATM) Dubai can trial the app there.
