ovenbird

Has anyone flown this route recently? Reviews of Ethopian Airlines online have not been very good, but this seems to be the best way to get to Addis Ababa from the US. Do you think other routes are better?

rkkwan

Are you starting from the Washington area? If so, then that's of course the best route, since it's non-stop. But if you're starting from another city with non-stop flights to Europe or one of the middle east hubs like Dubai and Doha, then those are your other choices. Many major carriers in Europe and Middle East fly to Addis Ababa.

Neuman605

Flew Dulles to ADD & on to Nairobi 3/20 then return trip on 3/28. Brand new plane, excellent service, entertainment console in headrests, footrest ect. Food was good & if anything we were fed too often. I had heard poor reviews prior & was extremely happy with the flight.

Fares were kept low because the new planes are now carrying a complete cargo load, so we made a cargo stop in Rome on return trip.

I would be much happier flying them again than using any of our domestics!!

ovenbird

We would be starting from Chicago.

We would also prefer to not use any of our domestics just because we fly economy. And you know how economy in those old planes are just plain icky especially on long haul flights.

Neuman605, did you fly economy or business/first class? Glad to hear you had a good experience.

rkkwan, I'll look into flights via Dubai and Doha...not been to either yet.

Thanks for the info!

traveler2009

I flew this route in January of this year (economy). My husband and I have no complaints. The only minor issue we had was that sometimes the TV would stop working and they would have to reset it for us. This happened to many passengers around us as well. Otherwise we were pretty happy with the service.

Neuman605

Qvenbird,
We flew economy from Dulles, and as I said I would definitly be happy to fly with them again. As a matter of I am trying to get the tour operator we used (Lion World Tours) to work with Ethiopian to arrange for a pkg tour to Tanzania next spring.
Travel Safe!

mowmow

I flew this last summer (in old plane) It was fine. Tardiness is an issue so be sure you have generous connection layovers. Lots of children on the plane so bring NC headphones if that bothers you. They rarely lose luggage.

sundowner

I have been reading reviews on Ethopian Airlines and really didn't want to use them. These responses make me think it might not be that bad. Thanks!

Neuman605

Not sure but I think Ethiopian Airlines is putting a lot into improving their performance & service. Keeping airfares low with cargo stops, & new planes.

ovenbird

I too had been reading reviews on Ethiopian Airlines and was reluctant to use them...thus my question. Thanks for the responses! We plan to fly to Addis Ababa Jan 2012.

tfly212

Love to hear any update after your flight. We are going to Johannesburg in July and can do IAD-ADD and then on to JNB in business class using miles. The new 777-200LR looks pretty good, but would appreciate any first hand experience.

Thanks

sundowner

tfly, I did end up flying with Ethiopian Airlines in Sept/Oct 2011 and I was happy with the staff, the plane etc. I may be going to Kenya this summer and I will definitely use them again if they have the lowest fares.

My trip was a week in Kenya and then back to Ethiopia for 2 weeks so I wasn't just in/out of Addis. They seemed to be pretty strict with carry on weight on the return from Addis to Dulles. And everyone is allowed 2 checked bags at no charge so it took a long time to get thru that line (again, that was in Addis). I flew from Nairobi to Addis on the 3AM flight so I don't know what it's like at NBO during normal hours.