Ethiopian Airlines

I made the flight BRU-CDG-ADD followed by the flight ADD-KGL-BJM. The first step was made onboard the B787 ET- AOO. Very quiet flight with a very friendly and sympathetic cabin crew. The flight was almost full at Paris but I managed to stay alone at row 29 abc there were a lot of good seats available at the rear part of the B787. The seats were ok but a little 'tired' if I can say that! The dinner was simple overcooked and too salty - it was much better on my previous trip. For the breakfast just 3 small cookies and a madeleine nothing else! Long transit time at ADD and a quiet flight on a B737 to BJM. Excellent sandwich.

IAD-ADD-LLW in Cloud Nine (Business) in July 2014. All flights on time and service was just fine. Good in flight entertainment on 777-300 ER with pitched lie flat seating on the IAD-ADD segment. ADD-LLW segment on 737NG had comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and no IFE. Food was plentiful and of good quality with a selection of Ethiopian dishes accompanied by injera as an additional course to the three mains on both segments. Crew was uniformly lovely. ADD is ok by developing world standards - a little confusing sort of dirty and not particularly enticing food or shopping options. Cloud Nine/Premium lounge crowded and unattractive with ok food and beverage options passable bathrooms and ok internet. The less time spent in ADD the better I think. Overall I was impressed with ET onboard product less so with the ADD hub (which I understand is due for an overhaul in the next few years).

Travelled from IAD to ADD then to LSK on July 1 - absolutely the worst flight segments ever taken. The flight from IAD to ADD was 90 minutes late with no explanation given. Once onboard the plane (777-300ER) smelt foul and it was evident the plane had not had a good cleaning in ages. Being a Star Gold Member you would think preference would be given for upgrades however the lead cabin staff informed me that was not Ethiopians policy. Once airborne the inflight entertainment system was below average. The food and snacks were awful had the airline stated their food was below par I would have bought something at the airport. Finally the communication skills of the cabin crew and even the captain was below average. My return journey was equal if not worse than the first leg. Plane smelt windows in the plane had not been cleaned in ages it took a cabin crew member 1 hour 45 mins to realize my call light was on. I could not move due to the miserable 3-3-3 configuration. Overall I will never use Ethiopian again.

I recently flew from Luanda to Paris and was pleasantly surprised with the quality and service received on Ethiopian Airways. In most cases it was superior to it's more illustrious competitors in Europe.

This airline is one of two major airlines in East Africa. While they never lost my luggage that is about the only good thing I can say about this airline on which I flew over 30 segments due to my work. The airline attendants are chosen for their looks not their helpfulness or intelligence. The food is awful and the airplanes particularly the DSH-8 are old and noisy. They have obtuse rules - such as not allowing you to store your purse under the seat in front of you in an exit row. They do not prioritize luggage upon arrival and the gate agents don't seem to know what to do. Definitely not up to Western standards!

Flight was from Rome-Adis Ababa-Kilimanjaro and back. Very old planes (very 70s in the layout) plus very dirty (no soap and no towels at takeoff). I had both flights back to Rome without entertainment at all! Couldn't fit in the seat and staff service is very poor (I buzzed three different times but no one showed up to ask what I needed. I had to physically stop them when they passed through the corridors. Asked for something to drink but got nothing. Please choose another carrier!

BKK-SIN ET626. Foul is about the only way to describe it. Passengers joining in BKK have the pleasure of getting on a plane that has just flown for 8.5 hours from ADD and not been cleaned at all. It reeked and was boiling hot. Everyone had moved everywhere so seat assignments meant nothing. Bathrooms were filthy. Dirty used socks were in my seat pocket. Garbage was everywhere. No seat back AVOD. I didn't want to touch anything - couldn't wash my hands fast enough after getting off. Loud tinny music for all of the taxi and take off and for a good 15 mins afterward. Only pluses were that the fare was low and as a Star Alliance gold member I had a decent luggage allowance and could use the TG lounge in BKK. Otherwise I am amazed that ET is a Star Alliance member.

We flew from Jo'burg to Addis in a brand new 777-300. Then to Stockholm in a 767-300. Although the latter was old it was as comfortable as could be. On the way back we were on an even older 767-300 with a totally failed ventilation system. It was extremely uncomfortable. 2 drunks on board during the extended stop in Vienna caused so much upset exacerbated by the heat. Finally the police came on board to remove one of them. The flight from Addis to Jo'burg was in a Dreamliner. The heroes are the ground staff at Addis Airport. They are endlessly patient and helpful. But the airport is a madhouse to the extreme. Why would a country allow it's flag carrier to grow so explosively and leave by all appearances the airport infrastructure behind? I would take them again because they offered the best deal.

Flew twice with Ethiopian Airlines from Entebbe to Johannesburg and it continues to be a pleasant experience. Staff are friendly and helpful. Will definitely recommend.

March 2014. Addis to London on Dreamliner. Had full breakfast in the best value cafe in Terminal 2 at Bole this is the one in the back row of shops not the London cafe. When I came out of there the queue for gate security had increased hugely but they came to the back looking for us London passengers and speeded us through. Flight left a little late but arrived early. This was the Monday daytime flight. Amazing views all the way including the Alps. Flew into Heathrow via superb views of Crystal Palace FC and Twickenham Stadium. Food and service first class.