Etihad launches Etihad Escapes to take the journey beyond the flight

Etihad unveiled Etihad Escapes, a new travel platform that will take the Etihad experience beyond the flight, giving guests an easier way to plan and book more of their journey in one place.

What It Is
- Etihad Escapes is a digital travel platform that extends the airline’s role beyond flights.
- Launching October 2026, it will initially let guests add hotel bookings directly through Etihad.com after purchasing a flight.

Expansion Roadmap
- 2027 Vision: Flights, hotels, loyalty, and other travel services integrated into one seamless digital journey.
- Etihad App Integration: Future phases will bring Escapes into the app, with personalization and Etihad Guest loyalty benefits.
- Broader Travel Services: Beyond hotels, Etihad plans to add packages, experiences, and ancillary services.

Strategic Partnerships
- Expedia Group B2B: Provides hotel inventory.
- Juniper Travel Technology: Powers the platform’s infrastructure.
- Miral Destinations: Launch partner, connecting guests to Abu Dhabi’s leisure experiences.
- More suppliers will join as the platform evolves.

Why It Matters
- For Guests: One-stop shop for flights + hotels, reducing the hassle of juggling multiple platforms.
- For Abu Dhabi: Supports the emirate’s tourism target of 39.3 million visitors and AED 90 billion GDP by 2030.
- For Etihad: Taps into the $2.7 trillion global holiday market, capturing spend beyond the flight.

CEO Antonoaldo Neves
He emphasized that Etihad Escapes is about building a deeper relationship with guests, making the entire journey easier and more personalized, while also creating a growth platform for Abu Dhabi’s tourism ambitions.

This is a smart pivot: airlines worldwide are trying to capture more of the travel value chain, and Etihad is positioning itself as not just a carrier but a travel ecosystem builder.