Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways has enhanced its upgrade offering to a dynamic live auction which will make it easier for customers to secure a premium seat in a higher cabin class.
Customers
will be able to take part in a bidding system where real-time notifications of
their bid will be displayed on their screen, allowing two or more individual
bids at the same time. Regular email and SMS updates will also be sent to
notify them if they have been outbid.
Jamal
Al Awadhi, Etihad Airways Head of Guest Experience Commercial, said: “A first
in the region, this dynamic live auction will give guests the chance to select
a premium offering at a price they are willing to pay by putting them in
control of the experience.
“This
new gamification layer will also add a fun element to travel before the journey
begins, as passengers compete with each other. Our mobile responsive website
makes it even easier for guests to bid on the go.”
Customers
will receive an email invitation to bid for a one-cabin upgrade seven days
prior to their flight or they can visit etihad.com to join directly.
The
auction will take place from 24 to six hours before their flight’s departure.
Once the auction closes, the successful winner will be notified immediately.
Bidding
guests are encouraged to still check-in online up to 48 hours prior to
departure as the optimised system will still process their upgrade. If an
upgrade offer is accepted, a new boarding pass will automatically be available
on the Etihad Airways Mobile App or one will be provided at check-in.
Future
enhancements will enable Etihad Guest members to use their miles to bid for an
upgrade.
Etihad
Airways has been offering guests bidding upgrades since 2012. It is
particularly popular on routes operated by the airline’s Airbus A380s from Abu
Dhabi to New York, London, Paris and Sydney.