Etihad Airways, Astra Tech partner to allow bookings on BOTIM

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has signed an agreement with technology firm Astra Tech that allows customers to make flight bookings using artificial intelligence within the chat app BOTIM.

Under the deal between Etihad Airways and Astra Tech, the airline’s customers will be able to book flights just by typing in the basic details of the service they require, with the technology then completing the booking itself.

The integration of flights into the BOTIM app allows customers to enjoy a more convenient and all-inclusive travel experience, making it easier than ever before to plan their travels.

“By integrating flight bookings into the application, Etihad becomes a part of the conversation, making it convenient for guests to book flights without leaving the platform,” Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways said adding that the integration of new payment options, including instalment plans, simplifies the booking process.

The partnership between Etihad and Astra Tech seeks to advance the travel experience for customers by focusing on promotions and financing solutions. It underscores the two entities’ commitment to delivering innovative and customer-focused solutions that meet the evolving needs of today’s travellers.

Astra Tech said through the BOTIM GPT module developed, flights and other travel-related services are integrated into the BOTIM app, offering a convenient and innovative way for customers to book Etihad flights.

Read: ATM 2023: Etihad unveils new 787 Dreamliner seats

Etihad, Emirates partnership

Meanwhile, Etihad has signed an MoU with Emirates Airline to boost tourism to the UAE from key source markets by enabling visitors to experience more than one destination in a single itinerary.

Emirates said the agreement seeks to expand on the UAE carriers’ interline agreement and provide travellers with additional itinerary options when visiting the country.

Hello, neighbour! Two airlines, one ticket, endless adventure. We’re pleased to announce our interline agreement with @emirates giving travellers more flexibility to explore the UAE. Fly into Abu Dhabi or Dubai with a seamless return from the other airport with a single ticket. pic.twitter.com/CQ8bUbQSXh

— Etihad Airways (@etihad) May 4, 2023

The new agreement provides travellers planning to explore the UAE with the flexibility of one-stop ticketing for their full journey and convenient baggage check-in. “This summer, customers of each airline will be able to purchase a single ticket to fly into either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with a seamless return via the other airport,” Emirates said in a statement.

This first-of-its-kind agreement allows visitors to cover as much ground as possible when exploring Abu Dhabi, Dubai or any other emirate, saving time by removing the need to fly home via their airport of arrival.

The deal gives customers travelling into the UAE the option of ‘multi-city flights’, with the choice to travel from one city on both carriers’ networks and conveniently return to another point served by either Emirates or Etihad.

This is the second time the airlines have announced a collaboration. Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group signed an MoU to strengthen aviation security in 2018.  Last year, Emirates also signed an agreement with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to boost tourist numbers to the UAE capital from key source markets across the airline’s global network.

The expanded interline partnership is part of the two carriers’ broader strategies to support the UAE government’s objective to promote tourism to the country while enhancing its position as a preferred global destination.

Read: ATM 2023: UAE’s Emirates signs 3 MoUs with Indonesia, Morocco, Zimbabwe