What is a group reservation?
Making a single travel reservation for a large group who wish to travel together on the same aircraft and date is known as an Etihad group booking with Etihad Airways. Etihad's stated policy is that a group is generally characterized as:
- At least ten people in Economy Class
- In Business Class, six or more
- Four or more in First Class
When the group reservation is made, this count—which excludes infants—is compared.
Why Make a Group Reservation?
When planning a trip, such as business trips, school trips, wedding tourism, sports team trips, and family holidays, group booking simplifies the process of traveling as it is more structured. When a group booking is made, Etihad offers group check-in, coordinated seating, and possibly group-specific pricing, which is not the same as that of an individual online booking.
How Can the Group Booking Process Be Started?
Making contact with Etihad Airways
Group reservations must be made directly with Etihad Airways rather than using the standard web booking page, in contrast to standard flight reservations. You can begin the procedure in a few different ways:
Make contact by phone or email with the Etihad group travel desk. Agents that specialize in group travel handle a large number of calls that are routed through regional or international customer service numbers.
Speak with a group travel professional at an Etihad sales office in your city or nation.
Group requests can also be submitted on your behalf by some travel companies that have access to Etihad's exclusive group system.
Basic details such as your travel dates, destination, passenger count, preferred cabin class, and any special requirements are now necessary.
Filling Out a Group Request Form
Etihad will frequently send you a group request form via email or customer support. In order for the airline to assess availability and create a group price, this form gathers comprehensive trip information.
What Takes Place When You Ask for a Group Quote?
Getting a Fare Quote
Etihad will create a group fare quote as soon as they get your request. This offer is tailored according to:
- Demand for flights on the dates you have chosen
- Group inventory availability
- The cabin class that you select
The cost per passenger, any deposit requirements, due dates for payments, and terms pertaining to modifications and cancellations will all be included in the quote. Group rates are dependent on availability and could alter as demand for flights rises.
Verifying Your Group Reservation
Usually, a deposit must be made within the time range given in the quote in order to confirm an Etihad group reservation. Etihad has a deadline for collecting deposits; if you don't meet it, the airline might cancel your request. Your group reservation is restricted as soon as the deposit is received.
How and When Do You Give Passenger Information?
Ticketing and Submission of Names
Etihad sets a deadline for tickets upon deposit payment. This is the deadline for completing the booking and providing all passenger names. Etihad may release the seats if the names are not received by this date.
Including or Modifying Names
Your group contract may allow for some flexibility about name changes, particularly before the issuance of tickets. However, the regulations change depending on your contract and the flight path. You should check this with your agent at the time of making your reservation.
What are the Benefits and Characteristics of Group Travel?
Coordinated Assignment of Seats
In order to make flying in large groups more pleasurable and cohesive, Etihad typically tries to seat group members close to or together.
Check in for the group.
In some cases, Etihad group travel can be subjected to group check-in, whereby participants can start the airport procedure as a unit. This comes in particularly handy when dealing with large populations of people with baggage and in busy airports.
Requests for Special Meals and Assistance
Meals and other special help can be requested by Etihad group members via the manage booking system (after tickets are issued) or by contacting the group desk.
What Do You Need to Know about Policies on Group Reservations?
Passenger Minimum Requirements
The group reservation criterion usually requires a minimum number of 10 passengers in the economy or fewer passengers in premium cabins. This condition facilitates the differentiation of multiple individual reservations and group travel.
It Is Good to Plan in Advance
Although no particular time limit exists regarding a group reservation, it is recommended that it should be made between 30 and 90 days in advance of departure, as this will ensure the availability ofthe reservation and also the competitive price.