Etihad Airways is gearing up to deliver high-speed internet across its entire fleet within the next few years, with speeds surpassing 100 megabits per second, while also considering cryptocurrency payment options for passengers.
Speaking at a virtual media briefing, Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves said the Abu Dhabi-based carrier is close to selecting a provider to make the upgrade possible. “The connectivity that we’re going to offer to our customers in the next two to three years is going to be best in class. With regard to speed, we’re talking about getting to over 100 megabits per second, which is amazing,” Neves said, adding that passengers deserve to stay connected in-flight because “Wi-Fi is life.”
According to Khaleej Times, the announcement comes as Etihad posted record-breaking results for the first half of 2025. The airline reported a profit after tax of Dh1.1 billion between January and June, a 32 percent jump compared to last year, alongside record passenger numbers.
Industry data shows that Hawaiian Airlines currently leads globally in inflight connectivity, with median download speeds of 161 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps. Other airlines on the top 10 list include Qatar Airways, Spirit Airlines, Air Canada, and Virgin Atlantic.
On top of connectivity upgrades, Neves confirmed that Etihad is preparing to accept digital currencies in the near future. “It’s not the top priority for us right now, but it’s natural. You have to get more currency types as means of payment,” he explained, noting that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are being considered.
The move follows similar steps by Emirates, which partnered with Crypto.com in July 2025 to integrate crypto payment systems, as well as Dubai Duty Free, which recently introduced the option for shoppers.
