Etihad Airways review by Dave Poler

I am extremely disappointed with Etihad Airways for how they handled flights during a time of serious regional conflict—and for their complete lack of flexibility or compassion in response to passenger concerns. My daughter was scheduled to fly through Abu Dhabi just as tensions in the Middle East escalated dramatically. The day before her flight, Iran bombed a U.S. base in Qatar, and much of the regional airspace—particularly over Dubai and Qatar—was closed. Most major airlines recognized the danger and canceled flights. Etihad did not. Despite the clear and immediate threat, Etihad chose to operate flights through the region, showing a troubling disregard for passenger safety. We were not willing to take that risk, so we canceled and booked a safer alternative route—at our own expense. To make matters worse, Etihad refused to issue a refund or even offer a credit. Their response was inflexible and tone-deaf to the situation. In times of crisis, a responsible airline should prioritize safety and show understanding. Etihad failed on both counts. I expected better from a major international airline. I will not be booking with them again.