Etihad Airways has launched a new virtual travel assistant chatbot on WhatsApp.
What can the virtual travel assistant help with?
The main menu offers a range of options that the virtual assistant can help with. The full list includes:
- Travel regulations
- Flight status
- Request a service
- Baggage guide
- Check-in
- Booking
- Feedback
- Etihad credit
I’ve spent a couple of day engaging with the assistant for an Etihad Airways trip coming up this week.
While the menu above is long, in practice, the assistant is most useful for information-type enquiries, like destination travel regulations or baggage allowance for a particular booking.
Any enquiries that require more complex functionality, such as checking in for a flight or managing aspects of your booking, will see the assistant directing you to the right place on either the Etihad app or website.
Etihad also offers an online chat function on its main website. While there is some overlap, the online chat channel is much faster and can help with a more comprehensive range of information. You can find the online chat channel here.
What can you connect with the travel assistant?
You can access the WhatsApp travel assistant in one of three ways:
- Scan the QR code above
- Save this number, +971 56 688 9003, to your WhatsApp contacts
- Click on this link
Simply say ‘hi’ to get the conversation started.
Free chat for Etihad Guest members
The most significant benefit of the new virtual travel assistant on WhatsApp is that it should be available to most passengers in the air.
Etihad Guest members get free chat and messaging onboard long-haul widebody aircraft. All you need to do is log in using your Etihad Guest membership details.
Conclusion
Etihad Airways has introduced a virtual travel assistant via WhatsApp. It has some limited functionality but includes some useful features, and importantly, should be available to access during most long-haul flights.
Hopefully, this is just the start, and the assistant will be able to help with more things over time. For example, I would love to be able to check in for a flight or select my seats over WhatsApp.