No Quarantine Required on Select U.S.-Abu Dhabi Etihad Flights

Etihad’s A380 lands at London Heathrow (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

[ News ]June 9, 2021 5:30 am ET

By Taylor Rains

Two weeks ago, the United Arab Emirates added the United States to its “Green List,” officially allowing quarantine-free travel between the two nations. To celebrate the new travel corridor, Etihad Airways is offering a flash sale to Americans who want to visit the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi this year.

Etihad Flash Sale

From June 7-10, Americans can take advantage of Etihad’s $699 economy fares and $3,499 business class fares from Chicago’s O’Hare, Washington Dulles and New York’s JFK to Abu Dhabi. The offer is valid for travel between June 7 and Dec 10, 2021 and imposes a minimum stay of four days and a maximum stay of two months. A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will be used for all three long-haul flights.

In a statement to Travel + Leisure, Vincent Frascogna, Vice President, Americas at Etihad Airways, said, “Many important milestones in the fight against COVID-19, both in the US and in Abu Dhabi, have brought us to this momentous day. Etihad and Abu Dhabi have been at the forefront of mitigating the spread of the virus with robust hygiene and vaccination programs, and we are thrilled to welcome Americans once again with the announcement of a special fare sale.”

Etihad says that passenger health and wellness has been its priority throughout the pandemic, and its Etihad Wellness Program has been recognized as one of the industry’s leading efforts in ensuring traveler safety against COVID-19. In fact, in February, the carrier became the first airline worldwide to fully vaccinate every pilot and flight attendant. Furthermore, the company continues to require a COVID-19 PCR test before departure and on arrival in Abu Dhabi for all passengers.

To further battle the spread of COVID-19, Etihad recently partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to launch the IATA Travel Pass for Etihad passengers, which is still in its trial phase. The pass will help Etihad customers manage their travel pursuant to government requirements for COVID tests and vaccinations. This is in addition to Etihad’s own travel pass called Verified to Fly, allowing customers to pre-validate their COVID-19 travel documents before they arrive at the airport.

Etihad Flights to Greece and Spain

In addition to Etihad’s travel corridor between the UAE and U.S., the carrier will operate quarantine-free flights from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos and Santorini in Greece and Malaga, Spain. Seasonal flights to Mykonos will run between July 8 and Sept 11, while flights to Santorini will run from July 9 to Sept 12. Both nonstop routes will operate twice weekly using an Airbus A320 aircraft.

Etihad said on its website, “With a safe travel corridor established between the UAE and Greece, fully vaccinated individuals now have more opportunities to enjoy quarantine free travel. Travellers can enjoy Mykonos’ Mediterranean cuisine or admire Santorini’s unique architecture. Just over four hours from Abu Dhabi, Etihad’s new flights to the Greek islands complement the airline’s existing service to Athens.”

The flights to Malaga will operate twice a week on a Boeing 787-9 from July 9 to Sept 15. Etihad explained, “The new service will provide greater choice and convenience for leisure travellers between the UAE and Spain, with Etihad now serving three destinations between the two countries – Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga.”

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Taylor Rains

Taylor Rains graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Aviation Management in 2017. She has worked in the aviation industry for the past five years and has a specialty in safety analytics for part 121 airlines, but she has also worked for a part 135 company in Alaska. Her experience has allowed her to work in many areas of aviation, including airport operations, flight operations, security, inflight, dispatch, and maintenance. Taylor is also an avid traveler and has used her flight benefits to fly on as many airlines and aircraft types as possible. So far, her favorite flight has been aboard KLM’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Author

Taylor Rains

Taylor Rains graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Aviation Management in 2017. She has worked in the aviation industry for the past five years and has a specialty in safety analytics for part 121 airlines, but she has also worked for a part 135 company in Alaska. Her experience has allowed her to work in many areas of aviation, including airport operations, flight operations, security, inflight, dispatch, and maintenance. Taylor is also an avid traveler and has used her flight benefits to fly on as many airlines and aircraft types as possible. So far, her favorite flight has been aboard KLM’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

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