Like other airlines before them, Etihad Airways added a new seat selection fee for economy passengers on some fares.
Starting July 15, customers who buy an Economy Deal, Saver or Classic seat will have to pay “a small fee” to pick out their seat in advance. Anyone who doesn’t pay for the privilege will be able to pick from the remaining seats for free, beginning 24 hours from departure.
The new fee adds to the company’s existing upgrade options, like its Preferred Seat and Extra Legroom programs. It also has a Neighbor-Free seat option, added last year, allowing passengers to bid for up to three empty seats next to theirs.
Rival carrier in the Gulf, Emirates added a seat selection program for passengers in economy class Special and Saver in 2016. It extended the policy to add paid-for Extra Value seats last year.
All this to say: The trend of forcing passengers to pay for every conceivable “upgrade” continues.
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