Following positive trial feedback, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has expanded its IATA Travel Pass on flights from Abu Dhabi to seven international destinations. In a statement released on July 28, 2021, the Gulf State carrier says that it has implemented digital solutions to help simplify travel during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Etihad Airways says that the IATA Travel Pass is now available for passengers on all Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok, Barcelona, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, New York, and Singapore. Etihad says that guests have a one-stop platform for managing COVID-19 documentation by using its IATA Travel Pass.

Etihad has added seven destinations

Etihad passengers can now use the IATA Travel Pass for flights between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and the following destination airports:

  • Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Thailand
  • Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport in Barcelona, Spain
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) in Geneva, Switzerland
  • Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) in Madrid, Spain
  • Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) in Milan, Italy
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, USA
  • Changi Airport (SIN) in Singapore

Etihad has received positive feedback

When speaking about the IATA Travel Pass in the company statement, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Aviation Group Mohammad Al Bulooki said:

“The feedback from the IATA Travel Pass trial has been positive, with Etihad’s guests appreciating its ease-of-use and data security. Etihad is pleased to now make IATA Travel Pass available on flights to and from seven major global cities, providing more guests with the option of simplifying their journey and airport experience.”

IATA Travel Pass
The EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate can be added to the IATA Travel Pass. Photo: IATA

When also commenting on the Etihad IATA Travel Pass in the Etihad company statement, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security Nick Careen said:

“Etihad’s decision to expand IATA Travel Pass based on positive customer feedback is a strong endorsement of the solution. IATA Travel pass was designed to provide a one-stop-shop solution for travelers to safely and efficiently manage their COVID-19 documentation and generate an ‘OK to Travel’ which airlines can trust. It’s great to see the app in use facilitating the restart of international travel.”

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Etihad has been using the pass since April

In support of a global, standardized solution for travelers to validate their documents and navigate COVID-19 travel requirements, Etihad Airways was one of the first airlines to begin testing the IATA Travel Pass in April 2021. All passengers need to do to use the IATA Travel Pass is to download the IATA Travel Pass app to their Android or iOS smartphone. Once they have done this, they can add their Etihad airways travel itinerary to view destination requirements and securely share their polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results.

Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Etihad was one of the first airlines to start using the IATA Travel Pass. Photo: Etihad

The IATA Travel Pass app also allows people to upload vaccination certificates allowing them to travel to countries where proof of being vaccinated is a requirement.

At the moment, the IATA Travel Pass app can accept EU Digital Covid Certificates issued by all 27 member states of the European Union plus Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Lichtenstein. The pass also accepts government-issued COVID-19 vaccine certificates from Singapore and Qatar.

Unfortunately for people vaccinated in the United States, the only way they can show proof of vaccination is by a card issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Have you used the IATA Travel Pass? If so, please tell us how you rate its ease of use in the comments.