Etihad has added a new seat selection fee for economy passengers travelling on certain fares.
From July 15 customers purchasing Economy Deal, Saver or Classic fares will have to pay “a small fee” to select their seat in advance.
Those choosing not to pay the fee can continue to choose from remaining seats free of charge from 24 hours before departure.
The new fee adds to the carrier’s existing paid-for Preferred Seat and Extra Legroom options, as well as the Neighbour-Free seat option, which was launched last year and allows passengers to bid for up to three empty seats next to theirs.
Rival gulf carrier Emirates launched seat selection fees for passengers travelling on economy class Special and Saver fares in 2016, and extended the policy to add paid-for Extra Value seat options last year.
