Etihad and Ethiopian launch new travel rewards partnership

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Ethiopian Airlines have formed a new frequent flyer partnership, allowing passengers to earn and redeem miles across both carriers’ expanding networks in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

 

Under the agreement, Etihad Guest members can now collect and spend miles when flying to African destinations including Kampala, Kinshasa and Lusaka, as well as to Asian gateways such as Colombo. 

 

Likewise, Ethiopian’s ShebaMiles members can earn and redeem across Etihad’s growing network, including new routes Cambodia’s Phnom Penh, Krabi and Chiang Mai in Thailand and Medinah in Saudi Arabia, which launches on 9 November.

 

Etihad Guest members can then use the points collected for flights, hotel stays and holiday packages, while ShebaMiles passengers can access the full range of programme benefits, including flights, upgrades, extra baggage, hotel stays, car rentals and retail purchases. 

 

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The tie-up builds on the carriers’ codeshare agreement introduced in July 2025 as part of their strategic joint venture signed earlier this year, and follows Etihad’s similar loyalty integration with TAP Air Portugal.

 

The partnership comes as both airlines expand operations between Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa, with Etihad resuming non-stop flights to the Ethiopian capital on 8 October, while Ethiopian launched direct services to Abu Dhabi in July.

 

Mark Potter, Managing Director of Etihad Guest, said the partnership will give travellers “more ways to earn, redeem and explore”.

 

Addis Ababa was Etihad’s tenth of 31 new destinations announced this year as it accelerates towards its target to serve 125 locations by 2030. The airline continues to grow its African footprint, adding Tunis and Zanzibar to its network in November and June respectively.

 

Etihad carried 16.1 million passengers in the first nine months of 2025, an 18% increase year on year, supported by a fleet of 115 aircraft operating to 82 global destinations.

 

The carrier reported a 32% rise in first-half profits to AED 1.1 billion (US$306 million), with revenue up 16% and passenger volumes up 17%.

 

For more information, visit etihad.com/en/etihadguest and shebamiles.ethiopianairlines.com