What happened? Etihad Airways has started accepting the UAE’s national Jaywan card for flight bookings made directly through etihad.com.
Who is affected? UAE-based Etihad customers with Jaywan cards can use the payment option across the airline’s full route network.
Why does it matter? The move brings the newly launched UAE domestic card scheme into the travel sector, while Jaywan Royal cardholders are expected to receive additional Etihad Guest benefits.
- Location: UAE
- Organisations: Etihad Airways and Al Etihad Payments
- Status: Jaywan payments are available now
- Who is affected: UAE-based customers with Jaywan cards
- Business impact: Expands Jaywan’s use across online travel payments
- What’s next: Jaywan Royal cardholders are expected to receive exclusive fare discounts and priority benefits
Etihad Airways has become the first airline to accept Jaywan, the UAE’s national domestic card scheme, for flight bookings. UAE-based customers can now select Jaywan as a payment option when booking directly through etihad.com, with the service available across Etihad’s full route network.
Etihad and Al Etihad Payments announced the development as part of their wider partnership. The airline said the new payment option is designed to give UAE customers another convenient way to pay, while Jaywan Royal cardholders are set to receive additional fare discounts and priority travel benefits.
How can UAE residents use Jaywan to book Etihad flights?
UAE-based customers can use their Jaywan cards when booking directly through etihad.com.
At checkout, eligible customers can select Jaywan as their payment method and complete the booking using their card. The payment option applies across Etihad’s full network rather than being limited to selected destinations.
For customers who already use Jaywan for everyday payments, the addition of Etihad flights gives the card another practical online use.
Mark Potter, Managing Director of Etihad Guest at Etihad Airways, said the airline’s acceptance of Jaywan reflects its focus on giving UAE customers greater payment choice.
He also described the current rollout as the first step in the airline’s partnership with Al Etihad Payments.
What benefits will Jaywan Royal cardholders get from Etihad?
Jaywan Royal cardholders who are also members of Etihad Guest are expected to receive additional travel benefits.
According to Etihad and Al Etihad Payments, these include exclusive discounts on Comfort and Deluxe fares, together with priority access benefits.
The organisations had already outlined additional benefits when they signed their partnership agreement in October 2025. At that time, the planned privileges included Priority Business Check-in and Priority Boarding for eligible Jaywan Royal cardholders.
However, the latest rollout indicates that these additional Royal benefits are still being introduced. The current confirmed change is the ability to use Jaywan for Etihad flight payments.
That distinction is important for travellers because the payment facility is available now, while the additional Royal offers should not be treated as already active unless confirmed by Etihad.
What is Jaywan and when did it launch in the UAE?
Jaywan is the UAE’s national domestic card scheme, operated by Al Etihad Payments, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE.
The scheme officially launched nationwide on 20 July 2026, when Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated Jaywan.
The rollout is taking place in phases through UAE banks and licensed financial institutions. According to the UAE Central Bank, multiple financial institutions have prepared to issue Jaywan cards, with further participation expected as the scheme expands.
Jaywan is designed for everyday payments, including purchases at points of sale, e-commerce transactions and ATM withdrawals.
Its expansion into airline bookings is therefore another step in building wider acceptance for the UAE’s domestic payment network.
How is Jaywan expanding across the UAE?
The Etihad partnership comes as Jaywan acceptance continues to grow across different parts of the UAE economy.
Network International announced that it had enabled Jaywan acceptance for online payments across its e-commerce merchant network. Majid Al Futtaim has also introduced Jaywan acceptance across more than 200 destinations in the UAE.
The scheme is also being developed for use beyond the domestic market. Al Etihad Payments has entered into partnerships with international payment networks, including Mastercard, to support wider card acceptance and co-badged products.
This means Jaywan is not being positioned only as a local alternative for traditional card payments. Its rollout is gradually connecting UAE-issued cards with a broader payment ecosystem.
For consumers, wider acceptance should make the card more useful in everyday spending, from online purchases to travel.
Why It Matters?
The Etihad development gives UAE residents a direct reason to use Jaywan for a major purchase such as air travel.
For Jaywan, accepting payments on the UAE’s national airline adds visibility and practical value soon after the scheme’s nationwide launch. For Etihad, it provides another payment option for customers based in the UAE.
The biggest development for frequent travellers could come next. Once the additional Jaywan Royal benefits are introduced, eligible Etihad Guest members could receive fare savings and priority services alongside the ability to pay with their domestic card.
For now, customers should separate the two developments: Jaywan payments are already available for Etihad bookings, while the additional Royal benefits are still forthcoming.
FAQs
Can I use a Jaywan card to book an Etihad flight?
Yes. UAE-based customers can currently select Jaywan as a payment method when booking directly through etihad.com.
Can Jaywan cards be used for all Etihad destinations?
Etihad says Jaywan payments are available across its full route network.
Are Jaywan Royal discounts on Etihad flights available now?
The additional Jaywan Royal benefits, including exclusive Comfort and Deluxe fare discounts and priority benefits, are being introduced as part of the partnership. Customers should check Etihad’s latest terms before booking specifically for these benefits.
What is Jaywan?
Jaywan is the UAE’s national domestic card scheme, operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. It officially launched nationwide in July 2026.
Who can use Jaywan to book Etihad flights?
UAE-based customers who have a Jaywan card can use it as a payment option when booking directly through Etihad’s website.
Etihad’s acceptance of Jaywan marks an early expansion of the UAE’s new national card scheme into the airline and travel sector. UAE customers can already use Jaywan to pay for Etihad flights, while Jaywan Royal cardholders can look forward to additional Etihad Guest benefits as they are rolled out.
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