Etihad Airways May Partner with United Airlines
According to certain headlines covering Etihad Airways news, the countdown of the Etihad Airways partnership with United Airlines has begun. If these aviation reports are worth trusting, then Etihad Airways is on the verge of parting away with American Airlines, to do a partnership with United Airways. These potential changes could enhance the options for best business class flights to India from USA.
Leading aviation critics state that Etihad has benefited very little from its ties with American Airlines. Despite American Airlines being its largest partner, Etihad Airways could not go deep beyond Los Angeles, Chicago ORD, New York JFK, and Washington Dulles.
Potential Changes Ahead: Etihad Airways’ Partnership Shift Toward United Airlines
When compared to Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways, Etihad has a very little share in US travel Market. If Etihad could make a partnership with United Airlines, then it can bring back Etihad flights to Houston and San Francisco. It may also drive Etihad to shift its operations from New York JFK Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Well, it is still a doubt if Etihad would be able to make its best with future partnership with United Airlines.
According to the opinion of the aviation market leaders, if Etihad manages to get a perch in Houston, San Francisco, Newark, and other US cities by its alliance with United Airlines, it will enhance its chances to steal the preference that Emirates enjoy.
For The Travelers!
If Etihad becomes a United partner, its flights will be preferred more as compared to Emirates non-stop flights from Newark to Dubai. With Etihad, many Indians residing in the United States will have one-stop access to 10 Indian cities such as Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, etc.
If the expected United-Etihad partnership becomes successful in expanding Etihad network in the US, travelers who prefer booking cheaper flights to India will be highly benefited.
While Emirates have recently cut the check-in baggage limit by 50% reducing it to one bag of maximum 23kg for the cheapest economy class, Etihad has made it two pieces of the bag each weighing maximum 23 kg in cheapest Etihad flights to India from the USA via Abu Dhabi.
Why Choose Etihad?
One reason to choose Etihad over any other flight is its provision of a 96-hour transit visa to Abu Dhabi, issued at terminal 3 of Abu Dhabi airport. The processing time for this transit visa facility is approximately 20 to 30 minutes. If you plan to extend your stay in the UAE capital city, you can easily convert this 4-day transit visa into a tourist visa. In addition to this, Etihad has various low-cost stopover packages for different travel classes.
This information from Flyopedia about Etihad Airways merger with United Airways would be a good news for people preferring cheaper and convenient last minute flight deals to India from USA.
Also Read: Everything About United Airlines Policies, Booking And Prices For Unaccompanied Minors