Availability

The closer you get to your flight, there will be fewer seats available for you to select from. All seats are subject to availability. In almost all cases, you will receive the seat that you’ve booked. However, there may be last-minute operational changes that mean we need to allocate you a different seat. If this happens, we will always try to choose a similar seat for you.

Refunds

If you paid for an Economy Standard seat – window, middle or aisle – but were given a different position of seat, you are entitled to a full refund. If you booked one position of seat (for example, window, middle or aisle) and you were given a different position of seat, you are also entitled to a full refund.

You are not entitled to a refund if:

• You are allocated the same type of seat, but on a different row (for example, if you booked an Economy Standard seat by the window on one row 12A and are allocated an Economy Standard seat on another row)  
• You upgraded to a higher cabin (for example, if you previously paid for your choice of seat then you either chose to upgrade yourself or accepted an upgrade)
• If you chose one type of seat and then upgraded to a Neighbour-Free Seat
• If you made changes to your flight itinerary after you bought your seat or if your itinerary was changed by another airline

Availability

Economy Space is subject to availability, terms and conditions. The closer you get to your flight, there will be fewer seats available for you to select from. All seats are subject to availability. In almost all cases, you will receive the seat that you’ve booked. However, there may be last-minute operational changes that mean we need to allocate you a different seat. If this happens, we will always try to choose a similar seat for you.

If you wish to purchase a seat located next to an emergency exit in Economy Space, you must meet a minimum set of safety requirements. Please make sure that you meet all of these requirements before buying your seat.

If you meet all of the safety conditions, we strongly recommend that you book early as seats are available on a first-come, first served basis.

The price of the seat is per person, per flight sector. In the event of an aircraft type change, Etihad will exert its reasonable efforts to re-accommodate guests in similar seats. In the case where seats in Economy Space are not available, Etihad will refund the amount paid per person, per sector which cannot be accommodated.

Seats in Economy Space are assigned only upon full payment of the associated seat fees and ticket fare. Payment for the Economy Space seats will not earn any additional Etihad Guest Miles points.

Partner airlines

Economy Space is only available on Etihad-operated flights and not on flights operated by our partner airlines.

Refunds and transfers

If you paid for the following seats but you weren’t given them on board, you are entitled to a full refund:

• Economy Space
• Economy Standard
• If you booked one position of seat (for example, window, middle or aisle) and you were given a different position of seat

You are not entitled to a refund if:

• You are allocated the same type of seat, but on a different row (for example, if you booked an Economy Standard seat by the window on one row 12A and are allocated an Economy Standard seat on another row) 
• You upgraded to a higher cabin (for example, if you previously paid for your choice of seat then you either chose to upgrade yourself or accepted an upgrade)
• If you chose one type of seat and then upgraded to a Neighbour-Free Seat
• If you made changes to your flight itinerary after you bought your seat or if your itinerary was changed by another airline

Conditions

• A boarding pass for Economy Space will only be issued once we confirm that all safety criteria has been met, as outlined in our terms and conditions.
  
• If Etihad Guest Service staff confirm that the guest does not meet any of the required safety criteria, we may re-assign you to an Economy Standard seat before or during the journey without refund of the Economy Space reservation fees.
• These important safety requirements mean that although you’ll be able to use web and kiosk check-in, you are subject to being moved if you do not meet the exit row seating criteria.

Safety requirements

Guests in an exit row seat in Economy Space must meet the following requirements:

• Aged 18 years or older
• Able to move freely without the use of a mobility aid (for instance, a wheelchair, cane, cast, walker or crutches)
• Have sufficient ability and strength in both arms, hands and legs
• Not require a seat belt extension
• Speak and understand English
• See and hear well enough to understand visual and verbal instructions
• Physically and mentally able to care for themselves and free from any condition which might prevent them from performing any duties in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Not pregnant
• Not travelling with a falcon

The following terms and conditions ("Terms and Conditions") shall apply to an offer (“Offer”) made by you (“Guest”, “you”) to Etihad Airways (“Etihad”, “we”, “us”) for a Neighbour-Free Seat experience (“NFS”)

1. You must be at least 18 years of age and able to enter into binding contracts. You shall be deemed to have the authority to act on behalf of and to bind the person or persons named or included on the Offer to these Terms and Conditions.

2. Neighbour-Free Seat is not eligible for group bookings (bookings with nine or more travellers) and free tickets.

3. The charge on your credit card may appear in the name of “Etihad Select Upgrade”. You agree that you will not challenge or dispute a charge for reason of the name appearing on the credit card statement as Etihad Select Upgrade.

4. Should refunds be approved, they will be processed in the currency in which the NFS amount was charged. Such refunds would be limited to amount charged for the NFS and no bank related charges will be refunded, note that refund usually takes about 10 – 15 working days to reflect in your account.

5. The fare conditions for the original ticket you purchased shall remain in effect, including, but not limited to, cancellation policies, change fees, baggage allowance, and rules relating to the accrual of frequent flyer miles.

6. NFS Guests do not qualify for lounge access or additional baggage allowance or bonus miles

7. Neighbour-Free Free Seat Service is only available on Etihad operated flights.

8. Etihad reserves the right to modify and otherwise change these Terms and Conditions at their own discretion. Except as provided for in the preceding sentence, no amendment, modification or waiver to these Terms and Conditions shall be binding on Etihad unless made in writing and signed by an authorized officer of Etihad.

9. These terms and conditions should be read in conjunction with Etihad Airways’ Condition of Carriage, Website Terms of Use, and Privacy and Security Policy which you can read on etihad.com.