Ethiopian Airlines

JNB-ADD-MBA. Suddenly got an sms 5 days before that said 'your flight has been rescheduled' to the day after no further explanation or apologies. This of course affected my connecting flights plans and other bookings. After I contacted them they did offer me the chance to cancel the flight and then offered me an apology for the inconvenience caused. Also travelled with them once before from NBO-ADD-NBO. where it was a basic flight experience and other than a bumpy landing nothing to note.

My flight was meant to leave Nairobi at 5.40am and go via Ethiopia and on to London Heathrow. The flight from Nairobi to Addis was delayed by an hour and we sat on the runway waiting to take-off I had also been told that my connecting flight to London was delayed by 2 hours so at least I wasn't going to miss that. Landed in Addis and my second flight was still 2 hours delayed it was mayhem at the gate long queues at various desks and no instructions or announcements whatsoever to guide us. They gave me a new boarding pass I was now sitting right at the back in the middle not by the window as requested with my previous boarding pass. The lady next to me then said 'Are you getting off in Frankfurt or going straight to London?'. I was shocked this was meant to be a direct flight to London and no one had told us that we were now going through Frankfurt (to drop off people whose flights were cancelled the day before apparently). Landed in Frankfurt and let some people off all the rest of us going straight to London had to sit in the aeroplane for almost 2 hours waiting to take-off again! Landed in London at 6.30pm our bags didn't come out onto the carousel for over an hour. I went through arrivals at 8pm! So what was meant to be an 11 hour journey was 16 hours. Never again will I fly Ethiopian airlines.

LHR-ADD-(JRO)-MBA. Although the handling agent at Heathrow (Dnata) is clearly disinterested in giving any kind of customer service (opened check-in late very unprofessional in the way they spoke to passengers not dressed appropriately in uniform did not open Cloud Nine desk on time) this is not reflected in the attitude of the ET staff which was excellent throughout. We were made to feel very welcome onboard and the service was above a number of European airlines I have traveled recently on long-haul flights. There was a choice of meal in economy with wine or spirits. The service was generous and always available. If you wanted more you were made to feel welcome in the galley where you would be offered another drink etc. Special interest was the way the crew dealt with a passenger with disabilities. The adult passenger (who was being cared for by a family member) became quite agitated and at other times excited while on the flight. The crew were gentle and kind even giving the passengers some 'space' in the galley out of sight of others to re-group and calm down. IFE is on demand and there is plenty to choose from. Addis is not the best airport on earth with little to do however it beats other African hubs hands-down. No good restaurants to speak of and no lounge access to any card holders. An extra (unscheduled) stop was put upon us out of ADD. The onward flight also had good snacks and drinks although it was short and again a helpful and well presented crew. ET was a nice surprise and I will book with them again.

Nairobi to London. First leg in new 787 which was a joy to be in quiet airy and smooth with great views if you have a window seat. Choice of wine excellent and service superb. Second leg in older 777 still very comfortable seat extended enough to allow me to sleep without waking for a 6 hours. I have not used ET for about 5 years and their business class has come on leaps and bounds since then - more comfortable seats and better wine than a flight in business with Lufthansa to Chicago 4 weeks ago! The downside is the stopover in Addis. Addis Ababa airport really is not a great place to spend time and the business lounge certainly not up to European standards. With 5.5 hours between flights I had decided to get a transit visa and eat in town therefore I can't comment on the food served on board. Also I prefer to read rather than watch films so can't comment on the IFE. To conclude I have to be in Addis in about 8 weeks and will be delighted to use Ethiopian for this trip.

I flew on flight ET 811 from Addis Ababa to Entebbe on January 30. It was very frustrating. We were to fly at 10.55am but after several delays we lifted off at 8.45pm. The most frustrating aspect was there was no one in authority who could tell us what was happening or when we would actually fly. It appeared that airline employees were avoiding us as they knew we were getting frustrated and they had no good information. Occasionally one of the passengers would find an airline employee who would give them information which was always contradictory and always wrong. If there is an alternative I will not fly Ethiopian Airlines again!

ET 700 Heathrow London 1st March 2014 to Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa 2nd March 2014 to Harare. Return from Harare on 11th March 2014 to Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa on 12 March 2014 to London Heathrow. Most friendly check-in and cabin crews. Very good check-in and baggage handling process. Ethiopian is very good on keeping time very comfortable airline especially their Dreamliners.

Been flying to SA and back to Bamako for almost 4 years now Ethiopain Airline is the most comfortable and relaxing airline we have tried especially the 777 and 787 from Addis to JNB.

BZV-ADD and a few days later ADD-CDG: I hadn't flown ET since they joined Star Alliance so I was pretty excited thinking they would now be at international standards. Well it is the exact contrary. Terrible experience on both flights from one end to the other even business with my Gold Star card. First if there is a lot of leg room the seat is terribly uncomfortable and old. Reminds me of seats 30 years ago. Cabin attendants gave no attention to passengers food was horrible entertainment even worse. The worst is that the cabin and the seats were truly dirty.

JNB-ADD-NBO Feb 2014. Boeing 777-200 and 737 respectively. Ethiopian regional flights are at times problematic due to delays and deviating routings. This trip was delayed 1 hour from JNB. It had a previously un-announced deroute to ZNB where we had to pick up 100+ pax which had been waiting for ET for >5 hours. Thus they were hungry and angry. So were the pax from JNB so the situation became unfriendly and space was cramped. From ZNB ET had run out of food. Drinks provided. In JNB I was promised a hotel voucher at check in at gate at aircraft but it never came. The following morning ET801 ADD-NBO had a 4 hour delay! This is 2-3 times the flight duration and unacceptable. Reason given was aircraft service check. I assume they have too few aircraft's and it affects precision and operations terribly. Hot lunch was given in Addis in the waiting time that part functioned well (though basically only 1 option of food it was very tasty). On the plus side are the competitive prices but prices are on a stiff rise. If you have flexible time and do not expect a lot ET can be a pleasant surprise: ETs force is the many newer aircrafts the good service onboard the long duration of service onboard (from 10 minutes after take-off up till 10 minutes before landing). On regional sectors there are 4 options of hot food in economy and drinks flow. Special meals could be ordered and were on board but not always given out due to lack of staff follow up and due to peoples change of seating. FA's are young and co-operative. Call buttons rarely responded to but there are plenty of FAs. Transfer and hotel provided in Addis functioned perfectly. The de-routed flight JNB- ADD was announced by email (but after the flight took off). ET are trying but still not there.

London Heathrow UK to Entebbe Uganda return via Addis Ababa Ethiopia and Kigali Rwanda. I left on 16 Feb and returned on 20th Feb 2014. Flight numbers ET701 ET811 ET821 and ET710. A decent long haul flight brand new aeroplane good food plenty to drink good entertainment and attentive air hosts. Not the best I've ever flown with but by no means the worst.