Here’s some great news for US-bound Etihad Airways passengers…
In this post:
New Etihad Abu Dhabi US Preclearance Lounge
Etihad has a US Preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport Abu Dhabi (AUH), whereby passengers clear customs and immigration prior to boarding their US-bound flight. The airline has had such a facility dating all the way back to 2014. However, the airport’s new Terminal A opened in late 2023, and it took some time to open the new US Preclearance facility, given the complicated logistics.
When the US Preclearance facility first opened in Terminal A, there was no special lounge there. Fortunately there’s now an update, as Etihad has just opened a US Preclearance lounge at the airport.
As before, passengers can visit the standard Etihad First Lounge and Etihad Business Lounge. However, it’s recommended to go through the US Preclearance facility with time to spare, so Etihad has yet another lounge in the Preclearance zone.
The new lounge features a selection of beverages and light dining options, and there’s even direct boarding from the lounge for select flights. The facility is open to Etihad first class and Etihad business class passengers (including those in The Residence), as well as Etihad Guest Platinum members and above. On top of that, access can be purchased on a space available basis.
Etihad’s current US destinations include Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), and Washington (IAD), and as of July 2025, the airline will add flights to Atlanta (ATL).
Here’s how John Wright, Etihad’s Chief Operations and Guest Officer, describes this new facility:
“This new lounge marks another milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests. By combining our premium lounge service with the convenience of U.S. Preclearance, we’re offering our guests an elevated journey through Abu Dhabi before they even board their flight. Zayed International is the only Middle East hub to offer this time-saving service.”
Abu Dhabi is quite an attractive connecting hub
Etihad sure has come a long way in terms of passenger experience, especially on the ground. Going back a couple of years, the worst part of the Etihad experience was the carrier’s lackluster hub. Fortunately with the opening of the new terminal, Etihad offers quite a lovely experience.
I appreciate how Zayed International Airport has more of a boutique feel than Doha (DOH) or Dubai (DXB), so while the airline has global service, the airport isn’t overwhelming.
Following the opening of the new terminal, one of the downsides was that the US Preclearance facility hadn’t yet moved. Fortunately that has now changed, and not only is the facility open, but there’s even a special lounge. This sounds better than the lounge in the old facility, in terms of natural light, design, and direct boarding to aircraft.
Bottom line
Etihad has opened a new lounge in its US Preclearance facility, for premium passengers traveling on an eligible flight. This follows the Preclearance facility opening several weeks back. This solves one of the main points of frustration that travelers had about the Etihad experience when flying to the US, so I’m very happy to see all of this.
What do you make of the new Etihad Preclearance Lounge?
We are really looking forward to using this on the return leg of our next trip outside the US in a couple of months.
For some of the questions I see here in the comments, look at the news release on the opening of the new preclearance are lounge off EY's website.
https://www.etihad.com/en/news/etihad-opens-dedicated-us-preclearance-lounge-at-zayed-international-airport
"The U.S. Preclearance Lounge welcomes eligible guests travelling in The Residence, First or Business, as well as Platinum and Emerald Etihad Guest...
We are really looking forward to using this on the return leg of our next trip outside the US in a couple of months.
For some of the questions I see here in the comments, look at the news release on the opening of the new preclearance are lounge off EY's website.
https://www.etihad.com/en/news/etihad-opens-dedicated-us-preclearance-lounge-at-zayed-international-airport
"The U.S. Preclearance Lounge welcomes eligible guests travelling in The Residence, First or Business, as well as Platinum and Emerald Etihad Guest members. Access is also available for purchase, subject to availability."
Also, if you have Global Entry, the CBP at AUH is set up to handle the new GE Mobile app. We've used it at other CBP preclearance facilities (in Canada) and we blew through it in ess than 5 minutes.
I read that onky platinum guest and first/residence can use this? Is this correct? I am flying deluxe economy seats with guest base membership RT IAD-AUH. Can i use the preclearance?
So glad this has opened - hopefully EY will continue to expand in the US. It is a shame that it has a comparatively very weak network to the country despite being home to the only preclearance facility outside of North America and Ireland.
This is one of the main reason to avoid going through this airport in the future. Horrible experience and you have to stand in lines and preparation for 3 hours and keep going through clearances several times, while we take 5 minutes with global entry in US. Almost it seems like to hold you there in airport for any small reason they can find and very intimidating.
The worst part starts after you arrive in...
This is one of the main reason to avoid going through this airport in the future. Horrible experience and you have to stand in lines and preparation for 3 hours and keep going through clearances several times, while we take 5 minutes with global entry in US. Almost it seems like to hold you there in airport for any small reason they can find and very intimidating.
The worst part starts after you arrive in US because of this. As we are already cleared, you land in domestic airport and the collecting luggage is nightmare where not much of volumes are expected and takes another 2 hours.
Preclearance is done for pax commencing their journey from AUH
What about pax coming from BOM MAA
TRV and other international airports
Who will be in transit to western countries
These do not need preclearance for the US which this is about. Most European airports (LHR being a notable exception) have efficient immigration, so it's not an issue there.
Everyone gets through US pre clearance before they board their flights so the flights arrive as domestic flights in the US. Saves quite a bit of time.
Lucky, are all flights required to use pre-clearance facility? Our flight for JFK leaves at 2:05 AM and I recall reading somewhere that flights that early don’t have per-clearance? I think because there won’t be officers and staff that early in the day?
They are open those hours since 3-4 fights depart about the same time. 2:05am is one of the earlier flights in that block so preclearance is open.
This is good news. Flew business on Etihad last December going to JFK, transitting through Zayed, and barely had time for a shower before I needed to rush to the US preclearance. No time to eat in the lounge. After finishing preclearance with 1 hour before boarding, so hungry and thirsty but no food and beverage in sight inside the tiny boarding area as no liquids above 100ml are allowed
As someone who has global entry, I actually avoid AUH for connecting flights. You have to go to the gate way too early to get through pre-clearance and are then stuck in a tiny gate area forever. Flying business would be fine as you now have this lounge, but if you're flying economy and using Priority Pass, it's better to stick to DXB, DOH or IST for transiting.
Same.
Pre clearance airports put you in a dingy under-equipped gate jail for the time before your flight. No thanks.
@HinBW
Fair enough for you.
However, Most customers in Etihad's home market will not have Global Entry.
Whilst Etihad probably do have a captive audience in the US for US-UAE travel, they are not Emirates (their main goal is perhaps not their home market but 'bringing people to Dubai'), and their main goal is not simply 'bringing people to Abu Dhabi.'
Sure, you can argue that the main goal of either airline isn't clear, but...
@HinBW
Fair enough for you.
However, Most customers in Etihad's home market will not have Global Entry.
Whilst Etihad probably do have a captive audience in the US for US-UAE travel, they are not Emirates (their main goal is perhaps not their home market but 'bringing people to Dubai'), and their main goal is not simply 'bringing people to Abu Dhabi.'
Sure, you can argue that the main goal of either airline isn't clear, but bearing in mind the below point, it is suggestive to say the least.
- Emirates have multiple destinations in the UK & India, which, are not key cities from an economic standpoint, NCL, (EDI), STN, BHX, MAN? - leisure travelers holidays in Dubai and the Far East. COK, CCU, TRV, AMD, MAA? - Taking Indians to Dubai mostly as labour. I don't think Emirati locals are going on holiday to NCL either.
- Etihad's international route network is (now) small compared to EK. So connecting flights taking US and European travelers onward (e.g. Australia and Asia) may have previously been a main goal, but with its current route network doesn't appear to be the focus. The focus certainly seems to be its home market clients.
Immigration in the US is hell, particular for Central/South Asian and Middle Eastern travelers, and the benefits far outweigh having an inferior lounge prior to boarding.
Even if Pre-Clearance has to be done an hour early, its still before a long flight and not after.
I can't say for sure, but surely a domestic arrival is still a better experience than Global Entry (as in your case) particularly if you have luggage and customs to deal with too.
So the thing is, for you Etihad is not ideal, and they aren't really targeting travelers like you with Global Entry anyway.
Exactly. I have transited through AUH to the US and it's convenient to do the pre clearance during the connection time and getting off as if it were a domestic flight when I get to the US.
That being said last January they didn't have the pre clearance for my flight to Chicago and that annoyed me a bit. That probably was during this transition period.
Thank you for your insights on Etihad and Emirates' strategic goals. It's true that most customers from Etihad's home market likely do not possess Global Entry, which could influence their travel preferences. While Emirates focuses on destinations that cater to both leisure travellers and labour markets, Etihad's current strategy seems more concentrated on serving its home market.
US immigration can indeed be a cumbersome process, especially for travellers from certain regions. Pre-Clearance, although requiring an...
Thank you for your insights on Etihad and Emirates' strategic goals. It's true that most customers from Etihad's home market likely do not possess Global Entry, which could influence their travel preferences. While Emirates focuses on destinations that cater to both leisure travellers and labour markets, Etihad's current strategy seems more concentrated on serving its home market.
US immigration can indeed be a cumbersome process, especially for travellers from certain regions. Pre-Clearance, although requiring an earlier start, can significantly ease the experience by allowing a domestic arrival, which often proves more convenient than navigating customs after a long flight.
For individuals like you with Global Entry, Etihad might not be the most suitable option as they might not be focusing on that segment of travellers. Your perspective helps highlight the varied considerations airlines must account for when catering to diverse customer bases.
Lucky believe Etihad gold guest have access as well. May want to correct that in your post.
@ Kmct111 -- Interestingly Etihad's press release suggests that only Platinum and Emerald members have access. I'll seek clarification.
As a result of Etihad's Guest "revamped" FF program, gold no longer automatically receives lounge access as a part of their "core" benefits. It is now a part of their pick and choose "custom benefits". If a gold member chooses lounge access as one of their custom benefits, they should have access but its not automatic.