https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/my-us-to-india-travel-experience-via-middle-east-during-conflict/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:53:28 +0000 hourly 1 https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/my-us-to-india-travel-experience-via-middle-east-during-conflict/#comment-20242 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:53:28 +0000 https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/?p=41022#comment-20242 I had my Qatar Airways flight cancelled hence I booked on Etihad from Washington DC to Mumbai. Date was 3rd April.
Total time to get boarding pass and clear security,( I have Global pass ) was less than 30 minutes.
Ethihad has beautiful new aircraft which was very very comfortable, Their 4K big screen is just awesome and food is OK but plenty available if you need it.
Cabin crew is awesome.
I can say with 100% truth that I found Etihad way better than Emirates.
When we reached Abu Dhabi, the airspace was closed and the anxiety was definitely there for me , expecting a drone or missile and the next thing would be , can’t imagine.
Pilot announcement was awesome, he said there was enough fuel to circle and we went through two big circles of half hour each, then the airspace opened and we landed very smoothly.
Connecting flight was on time and although it departed a bit late but reached Mumbai on time.
Overall great experience with Etihad.
I had my new house opening on 19th which is Akshay Tritiya hence the risk I took, but I send my wife via Lufthansa through a different and safe route.
Didn’t want both to die together.

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