Etihad Airways Customer Service Issues

I am Ishita Mallik from India. I held a flight reservation with Etihad Airways using booking id/ticket no. "ZOJUMG" from New Delhi, India to Toronto (YYZ), Canada for 19th April, [redacted]. Unfortunately, due to Covid-related flight restrictions, the airline cancelled my flight. On 11th April, [redacted], I requested a refund for my flight ticket. Despite almost 4 months passing, I have not yet received the refund. Each time I have contacted customer service, I am told to wait for another week or 10 more days. During my most recent call, they claimed the refund was processed on 17th June, [redacted], but a supervisor seems unsure about this. I have even asked for the bank transaction details for the refund, but have not been given them. This delay has been ongoing for too long, and I am growing increasingly disappointed with the airline's handling of this matter. If this situation persists, I will have no choice but to take legal action against the airline. I urge you once more to expedite my refund, as myself and many other customers are greatly concerned about our money. Please take appropriate action.

URGENT NOTICE BOOKING : JNGEEP We flew on August 5th from Jakarta to Frankfurt with a transit in Abu Dhabi. To clarify, we require a PCR test (including for the children) on August 2nd because we are flying on August 4th from Manado to Jakarta. Can you confirm if the PCR test taken on the 2nd of August is acceptable for our return journey to Germany and transit in Abu Dhabi? Our transit time in Abu Dhabi is only 3 hours. We also seek information regarding the recent regulations in Indonesia restricting passengers from leaving the airport in Jakarta. Our children, aged 3 and 10, are not vaccinated due to their age, unlike us, their fully vaccinated parents. We have been informed that we must remain in the airport from our arrival in Jakarta at 10 A.M. on August 4th until our flight to Abu Dhabi on August 5th at 23:00. Are there any airport hotels available for us to use during this extended stay? It is concerning to think of spending over 24 hours in the airport with our 3-year-old. Please advise on any available options. Thank you, Kimberly J.

I am encountering an issue with my flight booking AAVGML made through Expedia. Following the booking, I received an email notifying me of the cancellation from both Expedia and the airline, but now it seems the flight is still operational. I have already secured another flight due to the circumstances. Expedia claims they can no longer assist me. Unfortunately, I am currently not in Phuket and am unable to take the flight. The communication has been lacking since the initial notification received on August 4th. I attempted to contact Etihad Airways in Thailand, but faced extended wait times. Given the urgent situation due to a family member's passing in Belgium, I am stressed and seeking prompt resolution. Thank you for your anticipated assistance. Regards, Erik.

Hello, I am Wesal. I am traveling from Mumbai, India, to Abu Dhabi, UAE, with booking reference GVNNNT dated 19.08.[redacted]. I am wondering if I need ICA approval to travel to Abu Dhabi. I recently read in the news that from 15.08.[redacted], unvaccinated resident visa holders can also travel to Abu Dhabi. Although I have a residence visa for Abu Dhabi, I have not received the vaccine yet. When I checked my travel status on the ICA website using my Emirates ID and passport number, it confirms that I meet the entry requirements and can proceed with my travel procedures. I would appreciate your assistance so I can arrange for an RT-PCR test or make any necessary changes to my booking. Booking Reference: GVNNNT Name: Wesal Ahmed Ansari

Booking Reference Number: UWGBTC Passenger: Mr. R.W.R. Zimmermann We have received notice that the flight for Dr. Rainer Zimmermann to Perth, Australia, has been canceled. Dr. Zimmermann, a seasoned specialist, must oversee the commissioning of a chemical process plant in Western Australia. His presence is crucial for the project's success, planned well in advance. The flight cancellation puts the entire project at risk. It is imperative that Dr. Zimmermann travels to Perth by early September [redacted]. Please provide prompt solutions. Sincerely, Dr. Markus Pfaender Executive Director K-UTEC AG SALT TECHNOLOGIES www.k-utec.de

Dear Sir and Madam, My family is scheduled to fly with your airline from Frankfurt to Abu Dhabi in October [redacted]. My husband and I are both fully vaccinated (two doses), and our children Janne, Ole, and Matti are under 16 years old. However, our son Finn, who is 16 years old, contracted Covid-19 in August [redacted] and will receive his first vaccination in September. In Germany, only one vaccination is recommended after an infection, and a second one is not possible in this situation. We are concerned about his eligibility for the "green" status on the Abu Dhabi AlHosn App. As we are unable to reach anyone at the AlHosn hotline, we would appreciate any further information you can provide. Thank you in advance, Sabine Jostock

Last year in February [redacted], I booked a flight with Etihad Airlines for a trip from Riyadh to Chicago on June 22, [redacted], with a return on July 23, [redacted], for 6 passengers, my family. Due to COVID-related flight cancellations, I requested a refund through my travel agent as advised by Etihad customer service. The refund process was delayed by the agent, and as of now, the refund was supposedly applied in the first week of July [redacted]. However, I have not received a satisfactory response from the travel agent despite repeated emails to Etihad. I am unsure if the refund was genuinely applied or if there is an issue. Please assist me with this matter. Thank you. - Irshad Shahid Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Bonjour, Je vous écris pour vous informer que votre compte IATA a été réactivé avec succès sous le numéro [redacted]2. Toutes les compagnies aériennes membres du BSP ont été informées de cette réactivation. Vous pouvez donc à nouveau émettre des billets. Si vous avez besoin de plus d'informations, n'hésitez pas à me contacter. Cordialement, Didier Olimé

We encountered an issue with our return flight on Sunday, August 29, [redacted]. Upon arriving at the airport, we were directed to get a PCR test on short notice. After rushing to get the test and returning to the airport, we were denied boarding as the flight had departed. Despite trying to explain our situation to the staff, they suggested contacting Eithadway for assistance. When reaching out, we were informed that without proper documentation from the airport staff, we would not be exempt from charges for missing the flight. Despite multiple attempts, the airline did not confirm our situation, leading us to incur additional fees for a new flight. We kindly request a review of our case and a refund due to the circumstances being out of our control and caused by the airline staff error. My name is Olivo Diaz, and the confirmation number is VDUGFN.

I recently booked a return flight from Chicago to Ahmedabad, India through Expedia. My original return flight on July 31 was canceled, and I was offered a $[redacted] refund. Despite trying to reschedule with Expedia and then Etihad, I faced difficulties and last-minute cancellations. Etihad eventually offered a no-cost reschedule for September 3, but then canceled that flight due to overbooking, leaving me frustrated. I had to rebook with another airline for $[redacted] due to the inconvenience. I believe I should be compensated fairly for the trouble, similar to how airlines compensate volunteers when flights are overbooked.

Hello, I want to share my recent experience with Etihad Airways. We had booked a family trip from Ireland to India for 2 adults and 2 children. Unfortunately, Etihad informed me about the cancellation of my return flight on September 5th, [redacted], from Hyderabad, India to Dublin, Ireland (EY275 and EY 45 flights). Even though the flights were operational, my booking was still canceled, leading to major inconvenience. I ended up having to book last-minute tickets with Air France at a much higher cost. This situation left me feeling frustrated and seeking compensation from Etihad for the sudden disruption to my travel plans. I booked through Skyscanner with Vayama, but neither had information about the cancellation. The email notification I received from Etihad stated that due to entry and transit restrictions, I couldn't travel as planned. However, the flight statuses showed that the flights operated as scheduled. This inconsistency has been a source of stress and disappointment. I am hoping to resolve this matter with Etihad and receive the compensation I believe is fair. Thank you.

Hello, I am writing to address an issue I am currently facing with my flight. On September 20th, I had originally booked a flight from Lahore, Pakistan to Dubai, with the reference number (MZTJQE). Unfortunately, I recently received an email stating that my flight has been canceled, and I am now required to rebook my ticket. This has put me in a difficult situation as I had an important meeting scheduled with a client in Dubai on September 21st. I am seeking assistance in rebooking my flight promptly, ensuring that I do not incur any additional charges. Since the cancellation was beyond my control and was initiated by the airline, I believe it would be unfair to charge me any fare differences. I have tried contacting the Pakistan customer service number provided, but unfortunately, I have not been able to reach anyone. I kindly request a prompt resolution to this matter so that I can attend my scheduled meeting without further delay. Thank you, Rana

I am interested in booking two roundtrip flight tickets from Frankfurt, Germany to Hyderabad, India in December [redacted]. I have some inquiries regarding the Etihad COVID-19 insurance coverage and would like clarification before confirming the booking. I saw on your website that all flight tickets come with insurance and that re-booking due to Covid or other reasons is free of charge. My question is whether this insurance applies to Economy Class Value tickets or only to Choice and Choice Plus tickets. The website mentions a fee of EUR [redacted] per guest for changing dates on Economy Class Value tickets. Does this not fall under the Covid-19 insurance if travel plans are impacted by Covid regulations or a worsening Covid situation in the destination country? Thank you in advance for your response. Best regards, Sindhusha

To Etihad Airlines Authority, I am disappointed by the sudden flight cancellation. As an esteemed airline, such last-minute changes are unexpected. My travel plan aims for higher education, so time-sensitive student visa procedures compound this inconvenience. The lack of a timely response, untraceable booking references, and unavailable future bookings are upsetting. Customers deserve clear communication and options. Suggestions include arranging flights within a similar schedule, collaborating with other airlines, and providing transparent procedures. If unable to address this issue adequately, legal action may be considered for incurred losses. Regards, Rakesh K. +91 [redacted]

Hello, I recently had a return flight booked from India on September 1st with Etihad Airlines, but it was cancelled due to operational reasons. The airline rescheduled my flight for September 13th. Unfortunately, I cannot wait until then to fly back because of urgent personal reasons. I checked with the travel agent about canceling the ticket and getting a refund, but they mentioned that since I already used the first leg of the journey, the ticket for the return trip cannot be refunded. I would like to confirm if this is accurate and explore any options available for a refund or rescheduling the return trip for next year.

Hello, good evening. I am experiencing some issues that I would like to address. I am looking to request a refund for my booking, which was made two years ago. I have already reached out to the agency where I purchased my ticket, but I have not received a resolution yet. As I have not been successful in reaching out to Etihad Airways directly, I am seeking assistance to resolve this matter. Please respond to this email, and I can provide you with the booking reference number: [redacted]559C2. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Dear Sir/Madam, My name is Sajana Saju, and I am reaching out regarding the new Entry Allowance for COPR holders in Canada, announced by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino on June 21, [redacted]. I received my COPR at the end of May and applied for my initial PR card but have not yet received it. Due to a health issue with my mother, I had to travel to India from Canada on July 31. I have applied for a PRTD, but I am concerned it may not arrive in time. I have a return flight booked for October 1 from Cochin International Airport back to Canada. I possess a valid COPR. Given the current restrictions on direct flights between Canada and India, finding a suitable flight path back to Canada is challenging. I have reached out to the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Immigration at Cochin International Airport, who advised me to contact the airline I intend to travel with regarding visa and document requirements. Attached to this email are my COPR, work permit, and flight itinerary for your reference. I hope to receive guidance soon. Kind regards, Sajana Saju

Dear Sir, I am reaching out regarding a ticket booked for my daughter, ISHITA MALLIK, with Etihad Airways Customer Care under PNR ZOJUMG for a flight from India to Toronto YYZ on April 19, [redacted]. The ticket was booked directly through Etihad Customer Care, with payment made via ICICI bank transfer for Rs.58,[redacted]. Due to Covid-related travel bans, the flight was canceled, and on April 11, [redacted], I initiated a refund through Etihad Customer Care. Despite being told to wait 7 to 45 working days, I was informed in June that I would have to wait an additional 7-10 days. It was later discovered on July 11, [redacted], that the account holder's name was incorrectly listed as ISHITA MALLIK instead of CHANDRIMA MALLIK. They mentioned correcting the name and initiated the refund once again on July 11, advising me to wait at least 30 more days. As of today, August 26, [redacted], I have not received the refund nor any communication from Etihad Airways. Attempts to contact them have been unresponsive, and I am unable to find a suitable email address for this complaint. I posted a complaint on COMPLAINBOARD but have not found a resolution. My experience with Etihad has been disappointing, and I would appreciate your assistance in expediting the refund process.

I would like to modify my flight booking from CXDNSA to travel from Frankfurt (EY 8) to Male, arriving at 7:30 on October 31, and returning from Male on November 07 at 21:45, arriving in FRA on November 08 at 10:55. When attempting to change the flight on the Etihad site, I could only select Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain as destinations. I also tried to cancel the booking, but the cancellation did not confirm, and I was unable to proceed with changing the flight. Unfortunately, I am now unable to access my booking with the code CXDNA. This change is necessary because my friend Mrs. Karamanoglu, a Turkish national residing in Germany, is having difficulty obtaining a tourist visa for a single entry. The visa application reference number is [redacted][redacted][redacted]. Thank you. Best regards, H. Schoeneich.

I recently made my first flight booking with the hope of a smooth trip, but I received an email the following day informing me about the flight cancellation by Etihad Airways, and I was rebooked on a flight with a 20-hour layover. I attempted to reach out using the provided contact numbers on the website and various social media platforms but was unsuccessful. I have several queries that need clarification urgently: 1. Can I bring my hand baggage or cabin baggage? 2. When should I take the RTPCR test? 3. What documents are required? 4. Is registering for ICA Smart Travel mandatory? 5. Since my layover is 20 hours without leaving the airport, do I need a Transit visa? 6. What is the process if I choose to refund the amount to my bank? 7. How long does the refund typically take? The fifth point is particularly crucial.