Flying from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Zayeed International Airport (AUH) with Etihad Airways is an affordable option to get to the UAE.
Etihad’s fares are cheaper than those of some of its top regional competitors, such as Emirates and Qatar Airways.
However, you might still find cheaper tickets with airlines such as Air Arabia or Saudia.
Enough about that. Let us now break down the experience using Etihad from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi.
Related: Etihad Airways Contact Details and Office Location in Nairobi, Kenya
Flight Details
- Aircraft: Airbus A320
- Configuration: 3-3 seating
- Cabin:
- 8 Business Class seats
- 128 Economy Class seats
Seat Comfort
- Rating: 6/10
- The legroom is decent but not exceptional.
- Seats are average in comfort for a short to medium-haul flight. It takes about 5 hours from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi
In-Flight Entertainment
- Rating: 4/10
- No personal seat-back screens.
- Entertainment is available by scanning a QR code provided onboard, however, there seems to be streaming issues as the movies and tv shows did not play.
Tip: Download your favorite movies or series before boarding.
Meals and Drinks
- Meal Rating: 8/10
- The meals were surprisingly good. For breakfast, when coming back from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi, I would recommend choosing the French toast option, as the other option is eggs, which are quite runny.
- Drink selection is basic and good:
- Coffee
- Water
- Soft drinks
- Hard Liquor
- Refills are available upon request.
Cabin Crew Service
- Rating: 6/10
- Staff were helpful but not outstanding.
- Service is efficient, especially in Economy, but don’t expect luxury-level attention unless you’re in Business Class.
Ticket Pricing and Comfort Package
One of the best aspects of this flight is its affordability. Etihad is trying to break into the market by disrupting Emirates and Qatar by offering cheaper fares.
Fares start at about Ksh 50,000 for the basic package and increase based on additional options you may want to add.
And, it seems to have worked as Etihad is increasing its flights to Nairobi to twice-daily (14 weekly) flights from December 15, 2025.
Related: Abu Dhabi Launches Free Digital Pass for Etihad Passengers, Offering Citywide Perks
Important things to know when booking an Etihad flight:
- Booking the Comfort Package is highly recommended.
- Comfort Package Benefits:
- Includes 40kg checked luggage allowance.
- Cheaper to book luggage upfront than buying additional baggage separately later.
- Allows for changes or cancellations (with a small fee).
- Without Comfort Package: Only carry-on luggage is allowed and you are not eligible for a refund or cancellation.
Booking Experience
- The Etihad Airways website is easy to navigate and book through.
- Their 24/7 online chat support is effective and helpful for any queries.
Airport Information
- Departure: Terminal 1B, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi.
- Arrival: Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi (recently renamed from Abu Dhabi International Airport).
- Tip: Arrive at least 2 to 2.5 hours before your flight for smooth check-in and security clearance.
Final Thoughts
- Overall, Etihad Airways offers a good value flight between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi.
- Best points: Affordable pricing, good meals, and ease of booking.
- Areas for improvement: Entertainment system and overall seat comfort.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly and simple travel experience from Kenya to the UAE, Etihad Airways is a solid choice.
You can check out a similar article where we review flying from Nairobi to Sharjah, UAE using Air Arabia.
