Etihad Airways generally attempts to sit groups together, but they do not guarantee it unless you pay for seat selection or book a premium fare. In 2026, if you are traveling on a "Choice" or "Choice Plus" fare, seat selection is typically included at the time of booking, allowing you to secure adjacent seats immediately. However, if you book a "Value" or "Economy Sale" fare, you may have to wait until online check-in opens 30 hours before departure to choose seats for free, at which point the options may be limited. For families traveling with children, Etihad's policy in 2026 follows international safety guidelines: they will always prioritize seating at least one adult next to a child under the age of 12, even on basic fares. For larger groups of 10 or more, Etihad offers a dedicated Group Booking service that reserves blocks of seats together as part of the contract. To ensure you aren't separated by an aisle or several rows, the 2026 "best practice" is to log into "Manage My Booking" as soon as your ticket is issued and pay the small fee (usually $15–$30) to lock in your preferred seats together.