Fly to and from
Abu Dhabi
and Dubai
Vaccinated UAE nationals/residents now only need to quarantine for five days
From 3 May, if you are a UAE national or resident, you’ll only be required to quarantine for five days in Abu Dhabi if you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated, 28 days must have passed since your final dose of the vaccine.
Abu Dhabi is open for quarantine-free travel when you fly from select destinations. You can fly to Abu Dhabi if you are a UAE national or resident, or if you are eligible for a visa on arrival. We’ve also made it even easier to travel to Dubai when you fly to Abu Dhabi, with flexible fares, complimentary transfer services and discounted COVID-19 PCR testing. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
If you are a tourist, your visa must be issued in Abu Dhabi. Check the lates travel regulations before you fly for more information.
Transiting in Abu Dhabi? Read more about the facilities and services available.
Updated 22 April 2021, if you’re travelling on a direct flight from any of the countries or regions listed below you’ll be exempt from quarantine requirements when you arrive:
You must take a COVD-19 PCR test on day 6 and day 12 of your arrival into Abu Dhabi. If you’re part of the National Vaccination Programme you’ll only need to take a COVID-19 PCR test on day 6. Read more.
If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will not be required to quarantine when you travel between the UAE and Bahrain, Greece or Seychelles. For all other destinations, if you are a UAE national or resident, you’ll only be required to quarantine for five days in Abu Dhabi if you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated, 28 days must have passed since your final dose of the vaccine.
Unless you are exempt, you will be required to self-isolate at home or your hotel for 10 days and wear a medically approved wristband when you arrive in Abu Dhabi. If you are travelling from a country deemed high-risk by the UAE authorities, you may be subject to quarantine in a government facility.
You are exempt from having to wear the wristband if you:
You are required to repeat a COVID-19 PCR test on day 8 of quarantine. Subject to a negative test result, your wristband will then be removed on day 10. Children under 12 are exempt from testing unless they show symptoms of Coronavirus.
You will be asked to complete a form agreeing to self-isolate and do everything you can to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the UAE. We recommend you complete this form in advance of your trip. Download now.
Quarantine guidelines in Abu Dhabi
COVID-19 PCR testing is mandatory before every flight; you'll feel safe knowing that every guest flying with us has tested negative for COVID-19.
Please check etihad.com/destinationguide to find out when to arrange your test.
Children under 12 and people with severe and moderate disabilities are exempt from COVID-19 PCR testing, though this is subject to the regulations at your destination.
Flying from Abu Dhabi? Save on the cost of your COVID-19 PCR test with discounted testing at G42 and LifeDx clinics across the UAE.
Tests start from AED 55, and if you’re flying in First or Business, you can arrange for your sample to be collected from home.
Call G42 on 02 205 5999 or visit lifedx.net/etihad to book at a LifeDx clinic.
We’ve introduced new procedures at Abu Dhabi airport to keep you protected, so please make sure you arrive with plenty of time. Temperature screening is in operation, and you’ll be asked to wait two metres from other guests at all queuing points.
Our Business Lounge in Terminal 3 is currently open. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all other lounges in Abu Dhabi are closed. We will reopen them as soon as we can.
When you land in Abu Dhabi, you’ll undergo thermal screening and COVID-19 PCR testing. This is free of charge and applies to all guests, excluding children under 12. You will also be required to complete a travel declaration form. We recommend that you complete this in advance of your trip.
If you are travelling to Dubai or another emirate via Abu Dhabi as a tourist, your visa must be issued in Abu Dhabi – tourist visas issued in Dubai or other emirates will only be accepted if you originate from a green country listed above. When you arrive, you will simply need to follow the quarantine rules of that emirate. You will only be permitted to travel to another emirate by Etihad Chauffeur, Etihad Express Coach or Airport Taxi.
If you are travelling from another emirate to reach Abu Dhabi airport, you must present a negative COVID-19 test before you will be permitted to enter Abu Dhabi. The test must be valid within 48 hours – please note, this may differ from the timing of your test required to fly. Taxis are in operation between Dubai and Abu Dhabi airport.
Learn more about travelling to Dubai and other emirates.
We’ll make your connection as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Our Business Lounge and GoSleep sleeping pods are open in Terminal 3, as well as the Al Dhabi lounge and Aerotel Abu Dhabiin Terminal 1. A range of food and beverage outlets and Duty Free stores are open, all with carefully considered safety measures to keep you protected.
You can even stay connected with free Wi-Fi and mobile charging points throughout the airport.
Remember, you need to have a COVID-19 PCR test before you fly to Abu Dhabi, even if you are just transiting. Visit etihad.com/destinationguide and enter your final destination to find out where and when to take your test.
For new bookings, the maximum connection time in Abu Dhabi is 12 hours.
Use our interactive map to see the destinations we’re flying to around the world. Then when you’re ready to start exploring, simply select ‘Search flights’ to book.
You must wear a face mask at all times whilst you travel
You must have a COVID-19 PCR test before your flight. Discounted testing is available at selected clinics across Abu Dhabi.
Check in and choose your seat online or via our app from 30 hours before your flight
Check-in at the airport opens three hours before your flight – your boarding pass will be ready to collect
On board, food and drinks will be served in line with COVID-19 guidelines
Our cabin crew wear personal protective equipment at all times and are all vaccinated against COVID-19.
View the recommended time to check-in before you travel with the new Abu Dhabi International Airport check-in portal
Always read our travel regulations before you fly
You must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before every Etihad Airways flight. For most destinations, your test must be carried out 48 or 72 hours ahead of your flight departure time. This will depend on where you’re flying to or from and your transit time.
You can read more at etihad.com/destinationguide. Always remember to check the requirements at both your departure and arrival city by selecting the ‘Flying to’ and ‘Flying from’ tabs.
You can take your COVID-19 PCR test at any accredited medical facility.
If you are travelling to China, you must take your test at one of these G42 clinics listed below. Tests from other medical facilities will not be accepted:
*Home testing is available with these clinics
No, you will not be required to quarantine if you’re travelling straight to Dubai. You are permitted to travel to Dubai or any northern emirate by Etihad Chauffeur, Etihad Coach or Airport Taxi only.
If you are travelling to Abu Dhabi airport from Dubai, you can use any form of transport. Remember, you must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result valid within 48 hours to enter Abu Dhabi from Dubai.
Yes! You can pay to reserve your seat from the moment you book you ticket, or you can select your seat when you check-in online.
We’ll always do our best to make sure that you are seated with your family. The best way to guarantee the seats you’d like is to book them in advance.
Read more about our seat choices
You’ll always find the most up to date travel information – including testing and quarantine requirements – at etihad.com/destinationguide.
Use the ‘Flying to’ and ‘Flying from’ tabs to check the regulations at both your city of departure and arrival.
Yes! We’re proud to be the first airline in the world to vaccinate all pilots and cabin crew on board against COVID-19. It’s just one of the ways we’re keeping you protected with Etihad Wellness.
Etihad Wellness
To keep everyone protected on board, you must have a COVID-19 PCR test before every Etihad Airways flight.
Unless you are travelling directly from an exempt country, you will be required to quarantine when you fly to Abu Dhabi or any of our worldwide destinations.
Always read the latest travel regulations for more information about testing and quarantine at your departure and arrival destinations.
You can pay to print personal documents, like your PCR test result, at selected airports. Please note that printing facilities are not available at every airport.
We’re taking extra steps to make sure you feel safe and well when you travel. We've limited touchpoints and allowed for more distance between you and other guests, and for extra peace of mind, we’ve introduced a team of Wellness Ambassadors to help at every point of your journey.
