Can Etihad deny me boarding for only 2 passport pages left?

[goslingx28]

Hello all,

This is my first post - have been an avid reader but now I have a question of my own.

I'm set to fly Etihad next week on my honeymoon. I will be visiting Sri Lanka and the Seychelles. I have 2 full passport pages left, and the State Dept website says that each country needs 1 page. So in theory I am covered.

However, I do get a sense that:
a) I cannot rely on check-in staff to be up to date on these page requirements
b) Etihad has mixed customer service... not sure how open a gate agent or anyone else would be to a conversation on this point.

Do I need to be getting a new passport? It would have to be an in-person expedited agency situation. Which is fine. But to go through that I just want to get a sense of whether anyone has seen this issue before.

For context, I am flying both legs in Business, with the JFK-AUH legs on Etihad and the AUH-CMB legs on Sri Lankan.

To be clear, my concern is that Etihad staff will deny me boarding in New York. I am not so concerned about getting entry to Sri Lanka or the Seychelles (or maybe I should be?)

Thank you,
SC

[SearchGuy]

Never heard anyone being denied boarding for that reason

[shapsam]

Never heard anyone being denied boarding for that reason

+1 they shouldn't even look at your passport pages altogether.

[Dan]

Never heard anyone being denied boarding for that reason

+1

[AJK]

I believe I have. Not denied boarding, but border patrol making a stink if there are not enough pages.

If you can, I'd get a new passport.

[shmebeble]

Hello all,

This is my first post - have been an avid reader but now I have a question of my own.

I'm set to fly Etihad next week on my honeymoon. I will be visiting Sri Lanka and the Seychelles. I have 2 full passport pages left, and the State Dept website says that each country needs 1 page. So in theory I am covered.

However, I do get a sense that:
a) I cannot rely on check-in staff to be up to date on these page requirements
b) Etihad has mixed customer service... not sure how open a gate agent or anyone else would be to a conversation on this point.

Do I need to be getting a new passport? It would have to be an in-person expedited agency situation. Which is fine. But to go through that I just want to get a sense of whether anyone has seen this issue before.

For context, I am flying both legs in Business, with the JFK-AUH legs on Etihad and the AUH-CMB legs on Sri Lankan.

To be clear, my concern is that Etihad staff will deny me boarding in New York. I am not so concerned about getting entry to Sri Lanka or the Seychelles (or maybe I should be?)

Thank you,
SC

Last minute passport places are great and worth doing because you will need a new one soon anyway

[mmgfarb]

Last minute passport places are great and worth doing because you will need a new one soon anyway

That's a good point, you'll need a new one right after this trip anyway, might as well get it now and not have to worry about the pages either.

[LoLo]

That's a good point, you'll need a new one right after this trip anyway, might as well get it now and not have to worry about the pages either.

It is more expensive though.

[goslingx28]

Thanks all. I decided to go ahead and renew. Seemed not worth the risk considering cost of the honeymoon and the fact that i'd have to do it anyway. NY Passport agency was quite painless. I can pick it up on Tuesday and be on my way!

[a good yeshiva bachur]

Thanks all. I decided to go ahead and renew. Seemed not worth the risk considering cost of the honeymoon and the fact that i'd have to do it anyway. NY Passport agency was quite painless. I can pick it up on Tuesday and be on my way!

One less thing to do when you come back 

[hvaces42]

It is more expensive though.

I paid $60 expidite fee plus $15.45 for Fedex and had new passport issued in 8 days. Sent it to them priority and got it back Fedex. Well worth it. And no appointment or proofnof travel necessary.

[yelped]

I know wrong thread, but any recent datapoints on how long it takes to get a passport this season. Say if I apply for my kids on Tuesday, can I expect to have it within 4 weeks?

[chff]

Email from EK

New requirement of 2 unused passport pages for travel to South Africa

Please be advised that as per a requirement by South Africa immigration authorities, with immediate effect, customers travelling to any point in South Africa must have two (2) unused-blank pages in their passports. This applies to all types of passports for all foreign nationals excluding South Africans.

Please note, currently TIMATIC is yet to be updated, hence, until such time when TIMATIC has been amended, extra vigilance must be taken while accepting customers bound for South Africa (JNB/DUR/CPT).

This is a strict rule and the fine imposed for non-compliance is ZAR 15000.00 per customer.

[shmebeble]

Thanks all. I decided to go ahead and renew. Seemed not worth the risk considering cost of the honeymoon and the fact that i'd have to do it anyway. NY Passport agency was quite painless. I can pick it up on Tuesday and be on my way!

Enjoy!
you owe us a TR now