Etihad Airways to roll out 100 Mbps Wi-Fi on all flights
Crypto payment options also under review for tech-savvy global travellers
DUBAI – UAE’s national flag-carrier Etihad Airways is set to revolutionise the passenger experience by introducing Wi-Fi speeds of more than 100 megabits per second across its fleet within the next two to three years.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier said the new service will be “best in class,” providing customers with an inflight connection speed to rival that of their homes.
Chief executive Antonoaldo Neves confirmed that Etihad is in the final stages of selecting a service provider to deliver the technology, with work underway to ensure all aircraft will be equipped in the coming years.
“In two to three years, we will provide more than 100 megabits per second across all Etihad fleets,” Neves said in a media briefing. “There is no scenario in which an airline will not offer 100-plus Mbps inflight Wi-Fi in three years. Wi-Fi is life and people need it to stay connected and engaged.”
Connectivity upgrade
Neves emphasised the airline’s commitment to enhancing digital services, noting that passengers expect seamless connectivity when flying. According to Ookla, which tracks global internet speeds, Hawaiian Airlines currently tops the global list with a median download speed of 161 Mbps and an upload speed of 20 Mbps. Other carriers ranking among the world’s best include Qatar Airways, Spirit Airlines, Air Canada, Breeze Airlines, American Airlines, Aeromexico, WestJet, and Virgin Atlantic.
Etihad is aiming to deliver inflight internet performance comparable to these leaders, ensuring passengers can stream, work, and stay in touch with ease.
Crypto payments
In addition to faster connectivity, Etihad Airways is preparing to expand its payment solutions by adopting cryptocurrency transactions. Neves confirmed that the airline is studying options to accept Bitcoin and other digital currencies as payment, although it is not currently the company’s top priority.
“You have to get more currency types as means of payment,” he said, adding that investments in technology will allow Etihad to broaden its payment network and appeal to younger, tech-savvy customers.
Other UAE travel and retail players have already begun moving into this space. In July 2025, Emirates announced a partnership with Crypto.com to integrate digital currencies, while Dubai Duty Free signed a similar agreement last month to allow crypto purchases.
Record profits
The announcement comes as Etihad Airways posted its strongest-ever half-year results. Profit after tax surged 32 per cent year-on-year to Dh1.1 billion ($306 million) in the first six months of 2025, supported by robust demand, improved efficiency, and higher yields.
Passenger numbers rose 17 percent to 10.2 million in the same period, with load factor climbing to 87 per cent. The airline also passed the milestone of 20 million passengers carried over a rolling 12-month period in early July.
Etihad’s revenue reached Dh13.5 billion ($3.7 billion), an increase of 16 per cent compared with the same period last year. Its operating fleet exceeded 100 aircraft, with over 20 new deliveries in the past 18 months, including Airbus A350s, A321LRs and the reintroduction of A380s.
Chairman Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa highlighted that the airline had launched or announced 27 new destinations in 2025 alone, cementing Abu Dhabi’s status as one of the world’s most accessible cities. The carrier has also maintained strong customer satisfaction scores, with First Class ratings at record levels.
Etihad welcomed more than 1,700 new hires in the first half of the year, including 1,000 cabin crew and 100 pilots, with over 1,100 internal promotions. Employee engagement also hit its highest levels to date, underlining the airline’s commitment to growth built on people, technology, and innovation.