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Etihad Airways said in a statement that it has integrated the Jaywan card as a payment option at checkout on its website, allowing UAE guests to complete bookings for travel across the carrier’s entire route network. The move follows a memorandum of understanding signed with Al Etihad Payments in October 2025 and positions the national airline as the first to support the domestic scheme operated as a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. Jaywan cardholders will gain immediate utility for flight purchases while the partnership prepares to roll out additional advantages.
Mark Potter, managing director of Etihad Guest, said in the statement, “Being the first airline to accept Jaywan payments is a proud moment reflecting our commitment to deliver greater choice and convenience for our guests, while rewarding loyal travellers.” He noted that the initiative represents the first step in the partnership with Al Etihad Payments and aligns with the UAE’s strategic growth across sectors. UAE-based guests can now book using a payment method developed specifically for them according to the Etihad announcement.
Andrea Cianchetti, chief products officer at Al Etihad Payments, said in the same statement, “Our partnership with Etihad Airways adds direct value as Jaywan cardholders can use their cards to book flights, and Jaywan Royal cardholders gain exclusive fare discounts and priority benefits.” The official added that everyday payment utility combined with benefits that matter to customers in the UAE forms the core of the Jaywan proposition. Al Etihad Payments described the tie-up as strengthening a cardholder offering built around local needs.
Al Etihad Payments has stated that Jaywan, which launched in July 2026, serves as the UAE’s domestic card scheme aimed at providing tailored payment experiences while enhancing the country’s payment infrastructure and global connections. The scheme promotes financial inclusion, ensures data sovereignty and supports local businesses as part of its ecosystem that unites players across the payments landscape. According to the operator, more than 90 percent of UAE ATMs are prepared for Jaywan with banks issuing millions of the cards free of charge.
A market overview referenced in connection with the scheme’s rollout placed the UAE cards and payments sector at $119.8 billion in 2022 with expectations of compound annual growth exceeding 8 percent in subsequent years. This expansion aligns with broader efforts by the Central Bank of the UAE to advance digital payment adoption nationwide. The Jaywan integration with Etihad extends the scheme’s reach into the travel sector where high-value transactions are common.
The October 2025 memorandum specifically outlined exclusive benefits for Jaywan Royal cardholders including discounts on Comfort and Deluxe fares when booked via etihad.com along with priority check-in and boarding services to be activated soon. Etihad Airways said in the statement that these perks will reward loyal members of its Etihad Guest programme who hold the premium Jaywan variant. The announcement emphasised that the partnership demonstrates close alignment between the airline and national initiatives in financial services.
