Airline Assessment: Ivo Lojda's Perspective on Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, a popular airline, has been under scrutiny after several passengers reported being charged more than twice the original price for their return flight tickets, following the cancellation of their flights.
The exact reason behind this double charging is unclear, but it could be due to an error in Etihad's billing or refund process, or a communication breakdown during the cancellation and reimbursement handling. Customer complaints suggest that Etihad has faced issues with refunds and cancellations, where passengers have had difficulty receiving refunds despite multiple attempts and long waiting periods.
Passengers who find themselves in such a situation are advised to collect all booking, cancellation, and payment documents, contact Etihad customer service promptly to dispute the charges, and escalate the complaint to consumer protection authorities if necessary.
However, it's important to note that passenger rights and compensation rules, such as Regulation UK 261 or EU 261, only apply selectively to Etihad flights. These regulations set out the rights passengers have in case of cancellations, including compensation if notice is less than 14 days before departure. But since Etihad is not based in the UK or EU, these protections only apply to flights departing from or arriving at airports in those jurisdictions.
As for other aspects of the flight, no information was available regarding the quality of the seat and cabin space on Etihad Airways flights, the meals and beverages provided, the in-flight entertainment, or the check-in process. Additionally, details about the baggage handling services offered by Etihad Airways were not given.
The cancellation of the return flight tickets occurred on 15 July, 2025, as reported by Ivo Lojda. The overall value for money of Etihad Airways, as of the reported date, is not provided. Furthermore, no evaluation of Etihad Airways' customer service was offered in the article.
In conclusion, while Etihad Airways has faced issues with refunds and cancellations, passengers affected by double charging should take the necessary steps to dispute the charges. However, the overall value for money of Etihad Airways and other aspects of the flight, such as seat and cabin space, meals and beverages, in-flight entertainment, check-in process, and baggage handling services, remain unclear.
- The double charging incident experienced by some passengers on Etihad Airways raises questions about the airline's finance and billing systems within the broader aviation industry.
- Regulation of the transport industry, such as EU 261 and UK 261, offers certain protections for passengers regarding cancellations, but their applicability to Etihad Airways is limited due to the airline's geographical location.
