Ethiopian Airlines

There are two versions of Ethiopian Airlines. Version A is a dilapidated one with frayed edges and a cabin crew to match. Version B is an ultra modern one flying Dreamliners. I had the opportunity to try both versions on my recent flight from Kuwait to Johannesburg. The first leg KWI-ADD was Version A and the second leg ADD-JNB was Version B. The two versions compete favourably for the top positions on either end of the spectrum of airlines servicing the African Continent.

I have been travelling business class from Bangkok via Addis Ababa to Harare and return. To be honest this was just at the time when the Dreamliners got grounded so 3 out of the 4 legs have been flown on antiquated planes. The crew were rather indifferent drinks were poor on all legs food was more like economy class and the seat comfort was not amazing given the age of the planes. ET did a very bad job with the mileage: I got credited for miles on 3 legs but not on the Bangkok-Addis one although all flights had the same booking class. For me this is the last time I fly with such an airline with whom I already had one year ago terrible trouble for misdirected luggage.

J/Business class (seat 2-L) ET 688 (Addis - New Delhi) on 15th June 2013. The Business class washroom was deprived of basics! Even the liquid soap or soap-bar was missing for the first 5 hours of the 6 hours flight. The Sr. Stewardess of the flight was rude in her behaviour with business class passengers serving food in a very pointed and rude manner. Having boarded the total of 6 hours flight at 12 midnight in Addis and the flight was scheduled to land in Delhi at 9.10 am they served breakfast meal in the middle of the night. The special meal request (for AVML) was made at the time of booking the seats yet the meal served was neither AVML and nor was it sufficient as a "hot meal". The much promised and advertised travelers-kit should have various items in it these include ear-plus lip-balm hair-brush etc. None of these items were available in the kit nor were they provided when asked for. In nutshell this was indeed an awful experience which we would hope not to face again.

LGW-ADD return in economy. Flight was on an ancient 767 both ways. Interior and fittings looked tired and the IFE non existent. Both outbound and return were night flights which I hate. Outbound was about half an hour early and return would have been the same if we did not fly around London waiting for Heathrow. Despite the age of the aircraft the seats were among the most comfortable I have sat in for a long time and the leg room was also very good. I really could not ask for any more on a night flight.

DC to Addis to Lusaka and return flights Lusaka to Addis to DC. Travel to Lusaka was uneventful. On the return trip the flight from Lusaka was delayed at least 3 times - waited at the gate after going through 2 security checkpoints only to be told to return to the terminal because our flight was delayed again. In total flight was over 4 hours late. I missed my connecting flight in Addis to DC and then connecting flight in the US. I was 'rebooked' on a different airline only to find that I would have had to leave the connecting city before I actually arrived! I ended up staying in a hotel overnight and making the same flights the following day. My connecting flight in the US unfortunately was also scheduled to leave before I arrived on the international flight. It was very frustrating interacting with the Ethiopian staff/representatives because they did not seem to care nor did they apologize for their mistakes.

MCT-ADD-LBV return in Business. First 3 sectors on 737-700 and last sector on 737-800. Everything ran on time. Connecting in ADD very easy and the lounge initially busy but found a seat and quietened down after 30 mins when the morning rush was over. Lounge almost to myself on return leg. All sectors had really good FA's. Not in your face but always attentive when you wanted them to be. Personally I found the food/drink to be not too bad I've certainly had much worse. The beer was very nice. The seat although the older style was perfectly comfortable for the length of flights. the planes themselves were either brand new or only maybe a couple of years old. The only downside was the very poor IFE. Small main screen with pretty poor movies but I prepared for that and had plenty movies on my tablet and books on the kindle. All in all for the price pretty good and would use them again without hesitation.

DAR-ADD-NBO. Flights briefly on time. First leg was a Boeing 319. Good food. IFE shared mini-TV ceiling monitors not so interesting. Good care of passengers by FAs. 2 hot food options both were tasty and exotic. Call bells attended to. Second leg the 4th Dreamliner procured by Ethiopian: advanced aircraft free wifi and power outlet. Manual controls of window shading strength (like sunglasses) worked perfectly. Seats were surprisingly cramped and narrow not spacious. Aircraft almost full. Staff did their best to service all passengers. Call-buttons responded to moderately. Food absolutely edible Italian pasta with Ethiopian spiced chicken came out well. Served French land-wines in mini bottles tolerable though no options beyond white and red. Soft drinks plenty and 2 beers offered (Carlsberg and Heineken). IFE worked easy to manoeuvre buttons. IFE kept running until aircraft standstill and pax were permitted to use earphones till the end. Personal screens personal choice of movies etc. Footrests nice. Quiet aircraft: Only wind-noise were heard and easy to talk with other pax. I would give 7 points for 1st trip and 9 points for 2nd hence the total score become 9.

FRA-ADD-FRA. Great flights on the way there we flew the 767 which was a bit old but very comfortable and the hostesses were very nice too. Flight back was on the Dreamliner which was wonderful. Unlike what other people say Bole Airport in Addis is perfectly good the staff are helpful plenty of shops although not as many as in other major EU or US airports.

FRA to ADD on 27 April 2013 and back after 3 weeks in Ethiopia on 18 May 2013. Flight from FRA to ADD was a night flight with B767-300 which was rather old and many things were broken but still nice and comfortable. Service was good as well as the evening meal served to us. Flight was late but only because of heavy traffic at Frankfurt Airport. In the morning before landing at 6.15 we received rather disappointingly only juice and a sort of muesli bar. Not really any in-flight entertainment. You can listen to music and watch a film from TV screens. Otherwise a good and comfortable flight. On the flight back were waiting to fly with the brand new B787 Dreamliner but to our disappointment it was a old B757-200. Luckily it was only half full and we could take a row of three seats to ourselves! Excellent and friendly service on board! After takeoff we were served a drink and a muffin and a couple of hours later a lunch. The staff kept serving drinks all through the flight! Nice day flight from Addis Ababa to Frankfurt. Same kind of in-flight entertainment as on the way to Addis Ababa.

Took 2 domestic flights Addis Ababa to Lalibela (via Bahir Dar) and Lalibela to Gonder. Both good smooth flights. Snack (drink and sandwich) served on the leg Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar. The other legs too short for a snack and didn't even need one to be honest. Some heavy turbulence on the flight from Lalibela to Gonder but apparently this happens of during the midday flights over the mountains. Planes (Bombardier Dash Q400) in good condition and clean!