Etihad Launches Etihad Escapes to Extend Travel Experience Beyond Flights
Mohammad Ali (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM – 15th Sep, 2026) Etihad Airways has unveiled Etihad Escapes, a new travel platform designed to enhance the Etihad experience by offering a one-stop shop for guests to plan and book their entire journey.
Announced at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai, Etihad Escapes will launch in October, initially allowing guests with an Etihad flight booking to conveniently add hotel accommodations directly through etihad.com.
This platform marks the initial step towards a broader integrated travel offering that Etihad aims to develop by 2027, integrating flights, hotels, and additional travel services into a seamless digital experience, with further enhancements through the Etihad app and Etihad Guest.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, expressed, "Our guests already trust Etihad to take them to incredible destinations. With Etihad Escapes, we aim to simplify the rest of their journey."
Etihad Escapes not only strengthens the relationship with guests beyond flights but also presents a new growth avenue for Etihad and Abu Dhabi. By connecting its network with diverse travel offerings, the platform can attract more visitors to Abu Dhabi, encourage exploration, and support its tourism vision of welcoming 39.3 million visitors and contributing AED 90 billion to the GDP by 2030.
At its launch, Etihad Escapes will enable guests to add hotels post-flight booking, providing a streamlined experience on etihad.com. Gradually, the platform will expand to allow independent hotel searches and later combine flights and accommodations in a unified booking experience. Future phases include enhanced personalization, deeper Etihad Guest integration, and a broader range of travel experiences and services.
Etihad Escapes targets a significant market opportunity in the global holiday sector, valued at approximately US$2.7 trillion and projected to grow at a rate of 6.5% through 2030, with a substantial portion of travel spending occurring beyond flight costs.
