Summary Etihad Airways supports UAE Paralympians heading to Paris 2024 with comfortable and stylish travel arrangements. Trained staff assist passengers with disabilities, offering full assistance from booking to arrival at the destination. Travelers with disabilities can bring their own mobility aids or request wheelchair assistance for a smooth journey.
While new aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 have been step changes for airline travelers, perhaps the most significant change in the last two decades has been facilitating travel for people with disabilities. Airlines and Airports have made great progress in this field, and last week, Etihad Airways and Zayed International Airport demonstrated that with UAE Paralympians headed for Paris 2024. Supporting the UAE athletes The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is sending a team of 22 athletes, coaches, medical staff and personnel to Paris for the 2024 Paralympic Games, and last week, Etihad Airways (Etihad) made sure they made their trip in comfort and style.
On Wednesday, the team received a hearty welcome from Etihad staff and volunteers at the airport before enjoying some pre-flight time in the Etihad Lounge. To spread the good cheer around town, Etihad is displaying a giant billboard across its Abu Dhabi headquarters building, featuring the motivational message 'Unstoppable Passion Unforgettable Journey' to lend its support to the Paralympians. A new program from Adelaide Airport and Virgin Australia is removing barriers that deter people living with disabilities from flying.
Etihad Airways CEO Antonaldo Neves said the airline is hugely proud of the UAE athletes and extends its heartfelt best wishes ahead of their forthcoming competitions. "At Etihad it is our purpose to give flight to ambition, and there is no better way we can showcase this team of ambitious and talented athletes." In the USA, airlines must take care of people with disabilities.
Etihad operates daily morning service from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) that is scheduled to depart at 02:25 and arrive in Paris at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at 07:45. On August 21, that flight was operated with a 2020 Airbus A350-1000 , registration A6-XWF and MSN 0388, which departed CDG at 11:07 and landed in Abu Dhabi at 19:47 after a 6:40 hour flight. Trained staff onboard The Paralympic Games start on August 28 and run until September 8, and while the focus will soon switch to the athletes and their performances, Etihad also took the time this week to reflect on how it makes travel more accessible for people living with disabilities in their everyday lives.
Etihad welcomes and caters for the needs of people of determination with a full package of assistance from making a booking to arrival at the destination. It is an area where cabin crew receive special training so they are happy to assist travelers with any special needs throughout the flight and their journey. That assistance includes supporting passengers with visual impairment to move around the aircraft, make menu selections and enjoy their onboard dining experience.
The cabin crew will also update guests with a hearing impairment about announcements made during the flight, while passengers can enjoy the extensive entertainment options on E-Box with subtitles in multiple languages. When traveling with Etihad, passengers can bring their own wheelchair or mobility aid or use wheelchair assistance at the airport by requesting this in advance. Guests with a qualifying disability are also welcome to travel with their licensed, trained service dog, which should also be booked before travel.
Passengers living with disabilities are advised to visit the Special Assistance section of the airline's website to learn all the details of what help is available and how Etihad can smooth their passage..
