Once a Beacon for Premium, Etihad Now Charging for Select Snacks and Drinks in Economy
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Etihad Airways — known for over-the-top first/business class products as well as an above-average main cabin experience — continues to cut back on services offered to passengers. According to posts on frequent flyer forum, The Australian Frequent Flyer, Etihad has rolled out the airline’s buy-on-board menu on all flights. The airline first announced its intentions to introduce a buy-on-board menu back in April.
The airline’s buy-on-board menu, “Sweet or Salty,” is available via the airline’s official website. Onboard options include simple pleasures like stroopwaffles, children’s snacks including fruit puree packs, and heavier meals like lasagna.
Etihad Airways will also begin charging for select beverages including Starbuck’s coffee and Perrier sparkling water.
Though it is not unusual for an airline to charge passengers for mid-flight snacks and drinks, Etihad had become well-known for its premium onboard experience including free snacks in between meal services. In addition to charging for mid-flight snacks, Etihad is set to remove inflight entertainment from its narrowbody aircraft and recently introduced new meals to mixed responses.
Related: The Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
Recent passenger reviews on Skytrax, a website offering professional and amateur reviews of the world’s airlines, indicate issues with inflight catering, service, and amenities. A passenger review from earlier this month called inflight catering “disgusting” and claimed that the airline is actively cutting back on free food and beverages to get passengers to buy additional rations. The review also noted Etihad’s practice of charging high prices for advanced seat assignments.
For the time being, Etihad Airways’ First and Business Class products remain a solid use of points and miles despite recent service cuts. However, with the airline having implemented economy class service cuts, main cabin redemptions might not be the best use of points and miles.
RELATED VIDEO:
Featured image by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy.
WELCOME OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. That’s 3X points in addition to the 2X points you already earn on travel.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.