How officious is Etihad airlines at checking passengers return or onward tickets?

Question

As mentioned in another question I hope to fly one way from Istanbul to Seoul on a one way ticket in the next few weeks, then while I'm in Korea decide whether to fly directly home or get a visa for China and come home that way, since there are lots of cheap flights I could use.

I know that officially people must have a return ticket or an onward ticket to be allowed to enter just about any country.

I also know that for many countries this rule is seldom enforced and many people travel around the world on all one-way tickets.

In researching this question I have read that it is up to the airline at the at the airport you board your flight to pre-screen people to make sure they have such return/onward tickets, and that airlines may be fined for any people the destination country rejects.

Personally I have never been asked to show a return or onward ticket in an airport at either departure or arrival (I have been asked for it when extending a visa at the immigration office in Mexico).

What I want to know is "Is Etihad known to strictly enforce this rule?" (At least from Atatürk Aiport in Istanbul if it makes a difference?)

Answer 1

Just for the record, in my case nobody at any stage asked to see my onward ticket or any other evidence I would be legal in Korea.

I had a crappy printout but did not need to produce it.

I can't guarantee it will be like this for all travellers of course.

Answer 2

I'm not sure why you would subject yourself to extra scrutiny by not having the proper documentation for travel. All it does is create anxiety for you and potentially get an airline employee/airline in trouble if they forget to check.

The general rule is that if you are not a citizen of a particular country, you must have either a return ticket to your country of origin or a ticket for onward journey to another country or a visa giving you permission to stay in that country. Failure to do so will result in being unable to continue your travel plans and deportation if you arrive in a country without the proper documentation.

Even if the airline fails to ask for such ticket, the Immigration Officer at the arriving country may ask you for said ticket.