Etihad Airways launches new NFT series that can be redeemed for miles

Author: Rosie Perper, CoinDesk; Compiler: Songxue, Jinse Finance

**Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will soon release a new 300-version expansion to its Polygon-based EY-ZERO1 non-fungible token (NFT) series, promising holders a range of new benefits such as Tihad Frequent Flyer Silver status, priority screening—including lounge access, mortgage assets to earn miles, and more. **

Launched on August 1, the limited edition is the eleventh 3D aircraft model added to the EY-ZERO1 NFT collection, which first launched in July 2022. The new NFT, designed to look like a Mission: Impossible-branded Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is part of a promotional campaign for the recently released movie, Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One.

Etihad Airways is releasing a new Mission: Impossible-themed expansion pack for its EY-ZERO1 NFT collection, tied to real-world travel rewards. (Vincenzo Pace/Getty Images)

The original EY-ZERO1 collection offers holders exclusive benefits including a year of Etihad Silver membership and access to NFT holder events at the Formula 1 race at Yas Marina Circuit. The new range offers even more digital and real-world rewards, including 12 months of Etihad Guest Silver status, priority check-in, 25% more when earning Etihad Guest Miles, ABU Dhabi International Airport lounge access, membership to Etihad: The Virtual Club, fast-track Silver to Gold upgrades and a bespoke Etihad Membership Card.

In September, Etihad plans to launch a Web3 loyalty program called "Horizon Club" and will launch a mileage redemption program that allows the community to lock their NFTs to earn Etihad frequent flyer miles. Earned miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades and other benefits.

The new NFT was created in partnership with real-world asset tokenization company Arcube, which has signed on as an official Web3 partner of Etihad Airways. Infrastructure company Crossmint is facilitating payments with cryptocurrencies or credit cards.

** Etihad Airways is the latest airline to expand its blockchain-based offering as the Web3 loyalty program grows in popularity. ** Argentinian low-cost airline Flybondi expanded its partnership with NFT ticketing company TravelX in March, offering all tickets as NFTs on the Algorand blockchain. TravelX previously cooperated with Spanish airline Air Europa in April 2022 to launch a series of NFT tickets related to benefits and activities. In June, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest airline group, launched an NFT marketplace as part of its Web3 strategic development plan, which includes virtual travel experiences that integrate passengers' flight histories into digital avatars.