Etihad Airways has launched a new online chat feature, designed to help customers ensure they have accurate information on required travel documents.
Travellers looking to use the service should navigate to the Get In Touch section of the carrier’s Help page at etihad.com, and then choose the Travel Guidelines and Transit Information option within the menu.
They will then be asked a series of questions before being presented with a list of required visa, ticket and travel documents, along with any other relevant requirements.
The service is fed by IATA’s Timatic solution (Travel Information Manual Automatic), which has been around for decades but which more recently came to the fore during the Covid-19 pandemic when it was extended to cover test results, proof of vaccination and national entry rules.
Etihad said that the new service “relieves the need for guests to invest valuable time scouring the internet or contacting customer service centres to confirm their travel documentation requirements”.
Commenting on the news Frederic Leger, IATA’s senior vice president products and services, said:
“Helping guests prepare for their journey is a key element for a smooth travel experience and regulatory compliance.
“Etihad’s initiative to provide visa information via chatbot opens a further channel for passengers to check their travel requirements and supports the automation of the travel experience.
“IATA is proud to enable and assist this great initiative through its new Timatic AutoCheck.”
