Last Updated: July 30, 2021
Airline Showdown: Etihad vs. Emirates
The airline game has always seen tough competition, but two of the big names know how to play it well – Etihad and Emirates. UAE-based airlines are known to have some of the best amenities and give excellent service, and most of the time, they deliver.
Emirates Airlines, based in Dubai, has long enjoyed its reputation of being one of the most luxurious carriers in the world. It’s known for shuttling huge numbers of passengers with a fleet of Airbus A380 – the biggest passenger plane you can ride. Emirates has always been known to go big, until Abu Dhabi-based Etihad acquired their own A380s. Not only do they now compete in passenger volume, they’ve boasted high and low about their almost obscenely luxurious premium class designs.
Photo by Alessandro Caproni on Foter.com / CC BY
Both Emirates and Etihad offer exclusive perks to Business and First Class travelers, but there are still some major differences for Economy Class travelers.
Which one flies high?
Here are some of the perks even Economy Class travelers can enjoy.
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Emirates vs. Etihad
Seat Pitch
EMIRATES – 32-34 inches
ETIHAD – 31-33 inches
Legroom is a big deal for a lot of travelers, especially most Westerners who go beyond 6 feet. If you’re going for long-haul flights, enough space for your legs to move around and even for your underseat luggage makes a huge difference.
Seat Width
EMIRATES – 17 inches
ETIHAD – 19 inches
Another big factor for comfort level is seat width. It’s also important to note for heavier passengers. Tossing and turning in your seat may be inevitable for long-haul flights so wiggle room is important.
Baggage Allowance
EMIRATES
Economy: One 7-kg carry-on; 30-35-kg check-in
Business Class: Two 7-kg carry-on; 40-kg check-in
First Class: Two 7-kg carry-on; 50-kg check-in
ETIHAD
Economy: One 7-kg carry-on; Two 23-kg check-in
Business and First Class: Two 12-kg carry-on and one garment bag; Two 32-kg check-in
You have to be very careful to read between the lines when it comes to baggage allowances on major airlines.
There are different measurements, different weight restrictions, and limits to how many pieces of luggage you can bring. Baggage allowances also vary on the destination or where you are coming from.
Cabin Design
EMIRATES
Walnut veneer, gold trim and pearlised plastic
ETIHAD
Muted colors and elegant decor
Interiors are rarely deal-breakers, but it would do well to know what you’ll be staring at for hours on end. The Airbus A380 is usually the most fantastically-designed aircraft. Chances for you to get on one is highest with Emirates as it has 90 of these planes.
Comfort and Entertainment
EMIRATES
Blanket, pillow. WiFi available at a cost.
Wide selection of movies including recently-released blockbusters.
ETIHAD
Blanket, pillow, in-flight bag (eye mask, travel socks, ear plugs and toothpaste and a mini toothbrush).
WiFi available at a cost. Different movie selections from different countries.
Entertainment is difficult to judge because it also depends on personal tastes. Both airlines carry a diverse selection of movies, TV shows, and music, but perhaps it would be better if you just bring your own. It’s just a matter of how convenient you want your flight to be without bringing out your own gadgets. Also, some airline carriers go a little bit further by giving a few extras, and everyone loves a freebie.
Food and Drink
EMIRATES Hot meals themed according to a destination served with silverware.
ETIHAD Complimentary meals and bar and free hot snack before landing.
A hungry passenger is an angry passenger, and both airlines deliver. Both Emirates and Etihad have complimentary food and drink for long-haul flights, and it’s really up to your personal preference on which airline prepares meals better. There are more positive feedback about Emirates, however, which is probably why it outranks Etihad by 4 spots.
Customer Feedback
EMIRATES #4
ETIHAD #8
Every year, SKYTRAX collates and surveys customer feedback on many different airlines from different flight classes. This ranking is a good indication of actual experience with different airlines. Their recent World Airline Awards reveals the top 10 best airline carriers in the world.
Is there a winner?
As with everything that revolves around choices, it all boils down to what features are most important to you when it comes to traveling. Each airline has its own faults but compensates some other way. In the end, if it all boils down to price, Etihad is generally cheaper than Emirates.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
