Travel
Etihad Wants You to Pay For Its Empty Seats
- Economy passengers can bid online for ‘neighbor-free’ seats
- Customers must pay up to $250 to access Etihad premium lounges
Etihad is in the middle of a strategic review that includes an evaluation of its investments in struggling affiliates Alitalia and Air Berlin.
Photographer: Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty ImagesEtihad Airways will let economy passengers coveting more elbow room bid online for adjacent seats as the Abu Dhabi-based carrier explores new ways to generate revenue in a tough market.
The long-haul airline is offering a “neighbor-free seat” option for economy-class passengers allowing them to bid for as many as three seats next to their own, Etihad said Thursday in an emailed statement. Economy passengers can also pay up to $250 for access to business-class lounges at the carrier’s Abu Dhabi hub and as much as $75 at airports in Europe, the U.S. and Australia, the company said.