Etihad launches Corporate Care for business travellers

Etihad Airways has launched Corporate Care, a new enhancement to its Etihad for Business programme offering eligible organisations and their business travellers priority assistance when journeys are disrupted.

For UK-based business travellers, the development is particularly relevant because it focuses on the point at which airline support can matter most: when something goes wrong. Corporate Care includes priority assistance with rebooking and closer co-ordination with travel management companies, potentially helping travellers get their business travel plans back on track more quickly following disruption.

The new service is available to eligible Etihad for Business members and is intended to provide enhanced assistance and closer co-ordination throughout the travel experience.

Among the benefits is priority support during disruption, including assistance with rebooking. Etihad says Corporate Care will also provide protection in the event of an aircraft downgrade and take travellers’ seat preferences into consideration if an aircraft swap becomes necessary.

Organisations using the service will also have access to dedicated account management teams, providing a closer point of contact for their business travel requirements.

Significantly, Etihad is also placing closer co-ordination with travel management companies at the heart of the service. The airline says this is designed to create a more connected and seamless support experience for organisations and their travellers.

Support when business travel does not go to plan

While airlines traditionally compete on fares, schedules, lounges and the onboard experience, Corporate Care puts greater emphasis on how business travellers are supported when their original itinerary cannot be delivered.

For companies, that can be an important distinction. A disrupted business trip may result in far more than additional time at an airport. It can mean a missed meeting, a delayed project, an employee stranded away from home or additional accommodation and transport costs.

Paul Baker, Sales Director at Global Travel Management, said:

“For business travellers, good service really proves its value when something doesn’t go according to plan. Being able to bring the airline and travel management company together to find a solution quickly can make a real difference, particularly when somebody has an important meeting to reach or simply needs to get home. It’s encouraging to see Etihad recognising that disruption support is an important part of the overall business travel experience.”

Etihad says the launch forms part of its continuing development of Etihad for Business as the airline responds to the changing requirements of corporate travellers and the organisations they work for.

Javier Alija, Vice President Sales, Digital & Distribution at Etihad Airways, said:

“When it matters most, your business deserves more than support. It deserves priority. Corporate Care is designed to give our Etihad for Business members an enhanced level of support and reassurance, particularly when unexpected disruption affects their travel plans. By combining priority assistance, dedicated account management and close collaboration with TMC partners, we are helping our customers navigate their journeys with greater confidence.”

An increasing focus on disruption

The announcement comes at a time when disruption management is an increasingly visible part of business travel. When schedules change or flights are cancelled, the speed at which alternative arrangements can be identified can have a direct impact on both the traveller and their employer.

For UK companies, it also highlights one of the benefits of managed business travel. A travel management company can provide an additional layer of support, helping travellers understand their options and working with airlines and other suppliers when an itinerary needs to change.

Etihad currently offers flights from both London Heathrow and Manchester, with Abu Dhabi providing onward connections to destinations across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.

Corporate Care therefore represents an interesting shift in emphasis. The quality of a business travel experience is not determined solely by what happens when everything runs smoothly. Increasingly, airlines are also being judged by what happens when it does not.

If you would like further information about Etihad, Corporate Care or how Global Travel Management can support your business travel, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.