A few questions:
1. Which Etihad Lounge would you recommend they use?
2. Is there a place to store hand-luggage for the day? For example, will the lounge staff allow hand-luggage to be checked?
3. Can they get a decent night's sleep in the Etihad business class lounge or should I put them in a hotel and just allocate time to go to/from the hotel? My main concern is them missing the flight by getting stuck in security/immigration.
4. How long does it take to get through check-in/security/immigration as business class passengers? How much time before an international flight should they arrive?
5. Any suggestions on a tour company, taxi service, or renting a driver for the day? Definitely don't want my parents driving.
6. I understand as Indian citizens, they do require a transit visa if they leave the airport. Can this be easily obtained in advance or better off getting it upon approval? Do you have to pay in local currency? Can you use a credit card?
Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions!
Given the circumstances it would be best not to confused them with arrival lounges.
My advice: Book them a Luxury hotel like the Park Hyatt or the like. Hyatt Capital Gate is closer if you wish and cheaper. Get them to arrange limousines from and to the airport. Pay for early check in. Get the hotel to arrange a tour ok the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and maybe the Louvre with a guide after they drop their bags and shower.
Book the limousine for T-2.5 hours to departure. The hotel will make sure they get to the car and airport.
If you're really concerned about them you can book EY Meet & Assist on arrival and departure to help them through the whole process
https://www.etihad.com/en-au/plan-an...eet-and-greet/ Silver should be sufficient given they have lounge access on departure. You can tell them you require one wheelchair and then you will have a host and a porter. The host will also help them through security etc.
Make sure they have roaming on their phone and call them throughout the process.
N.B. Mobility assistance alone are porters who will not be very helpful with information other than getting them from point A to B, so I wouldn't rely on them the same way you could in other ports. English will also not be a first language.