Ethiopian Airlines

This has to be the worst airline I have ever flown. From late departures to no luggage at destination to late arrival missing connecting flights and spending the night on a bench (No accommodation at midnight) in Beijing. Just a mess from start to finish. The toilets were nothing but disgusting. On return to JNB our luggage was left in Addis with not a sole from the airline to give an explanation. Not the aircraft we were supposed to use but a 737 which I don't think can carry full pax and luggage and be able to carry the fuel on the leg Addis to JNB - so leave the luggage behind. The irate passengers was something to behold. Never again I say.

ADD to JNB today. Staff at check in were friendly. Flight was good (service food on time etc) but what a shock when we arrived in Johannesburg and were told that none of the passengers luggage had been loaded. Only the crews luggage and that of passengers who had hand luggage that was too big to be accommodated was on the carousel. We were given no explanation as to why our luggage had not been loaded. It is interesting that the crew were not inconvenienced - only the paying passengers! This is not a way to treat customers - there may have been good reasons for why the plane flew without our luggage but it would have been good manners for the Captain to have informed us of the situations during the flight (or on landing): the reasons for the decision to fly without our luggage and what steps would be taken to remedy the situation.

HKG-Addis return business class with stops in Bangkok in both directions. Ancient B767s but old style business class seat surprisingly comfortable and was able to sleep. IFE pretty much non-existent. HKG-Addis had personal screens in business class which did not work so movies played on large screen at front of cabin. On return flight no pretence of personal screens or IFE of any kind and no films shown anywhere on the aircraft. Service friendly responsive and unobtrusive and superior to North American airlines. On return leg I was the sole business class passenger on Bangkok-HKG sector and my priority bags were the very last to arrive at the carousel. Price is good but I would only use this airline again if traveling to Addis from Asia as the schedule is very convenient.

London Heathrow to Lusaka via Addis and Harare and back from Lusaka to London. Return journey very good particularly Lusaka-Addis leg where the plane was half empty. Staff were helpful and friendly. Trip out from London not so good took off about 9.30 but didn't get meal until 12.30 then took another hour to clear away before switching down cabin lights for sleep. But after reading the reviews it was better than I expected.

IAD to LUS via ADD in economy class return with a side trip to ZNZ. Inflight entertainment system worked only 20% of the time. Flights were all late by at least an hour with no explanation. Flight attendants were rude. The air conditioning broke while we waited for over an hour in 35 degree heat on the runway in ZNZ. Overall a very poor experience.

Ethiopian Airlines was the worst travel experience I have ever had. Dubai-Johannesburg and back via Addis Ababa for the World Cup. The outbound flight was late missed our connection so had to stay overnight in Addis. Missed the first day of World Cup opening ceremony and game. On the way home no luggage when we arrived in Dubai. Two pieces turned up after a few days one was declared lost after 40 days. The customer service is terrible the flights are always late and the Business Class we travelled was the worst business class I have ever flown with.