With travel slowly reopening across the world, many people may be thinking about taking a flight in the near future.
Passengers set to travel out of Abu Dhabi International Airport can now take advantage of new home check-in services introduced by Etihad Airways.
From today, travellers flying with the national airline of the UAE can check-in for flights, have their luggage collected and take a PCR test without leaving their home.
Etihad has partnered with airport baggage handling company Dubz to offer these preflight home services. Travellers can also use the platform to book additional baggage or add priority boarding to bookings.
The home check-in service starts from Dh209 for up to four bags, and allows travellers to complete preflight procedures from their house or hotel room.
“Etihad is continuously looking to enhance the travel experience and, with this latest initiative, the airline is giving guests more convenient travel options," said John Wright, vice president of global airport, network and cargo operations at Etihad.
“Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, the home check-in service also limits human interaction at the airport as guests are able to head straight to immigration and avoid long lines at the airport."
Can all passengers use these home services?
Travellers using the home check-in facility should be located within 70 kilometres of Abu Dhabi airport, but those who are further away may be able to request the service for an additional fee, subject to availability.
All passengers booked to fly with Etihad must be at home for the check-in procedure. The services are not available for anyone flying to the US, unaccompanied minors, passengers travelling with pets or those requiring medical assistance.
How does home check-in work?
Travellers can book the service any time before their flights, and up to seven hours before departure. Passengers will be asked to select a date and time for the check-in procedure, with appointments available from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Once booked, agents will arrive at the designated location between 24 and seven hours before a traveller's flight departure time. They will check travel documents, complete the check-in process and collect bags.
Seat selection can also be made at the same time. Guests who want to board their flight early and receive their luggage first can add Priority Boarding or Priority Bag Tags for an additional fee.
Travellers who book the disinfection service will have their luggage treated, with the process claiming to remove germs and provide protection from microbes for up to 72 hours before bags are loaded on to aircraft.
Once at Abu Dhabi International Airport, all non-transit passengers using the home check-in service can skip the queues bag-free.
However, travellers should note they will need to collect their own luggage at their destination.
Pre-flight Covid-19 tests
All travellers flying with Etihad need a preflight Covid-19 test before boarding and Dubz allows passengers using home check-in services to book a PCR test at home, too.
The service costs Dh239 and involves a certified nurse from LifeDx arriving at travellers' homes to complete the test. Results will be digitally delivered within 48 hours.
Passengers should check testing requirements for their destination before booking, as timeframes for when results must be delivered can vary by country.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
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How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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