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Ethiopian Airlines is the national airline of Ethiopia and is owned by the Ethiopian Government. The airline's hub and headquarters are both located at Bole International Airport situated in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines offers the most African destinations to passengers and is one of the largest African airline companies. It has been named 'Best Airline in Africa' by Skytrax for 3 years in a row since 2017 and has been servicing passengers for over 70 years since 1946.

The airline is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centres: Ethiopian Express & Ancillary Services; Ethiopian International Services; Ethiopian Cargo Services; Ethiopian MRO Services; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; ET In-flight Catering; and Ethiopian Ground Services. It also owns nearly 50& of Tchadia Airlines. For passengers wishing to book Ethiopian Airlines tickets in the local currency, we offer the option to buy flights in Ethiopian Birr.

Want to pay later for your Ethiopian Airlines flights? Find out more with our guide on booking flights with Ethiopian Airlines and paying later at Alternative Airlines.

Baggage Policy

Ethiopian Airlines has different rules for its carry-on and checked baggage policy. Weight and size restrictions will vary depending on the route you're flying with Ethiopian Airlines.

Carry-on Baggage

Business Class passengers are permitted 2 pieces of baggage weighing no more than 7kg/15lbs each without extra cost. For Economy Class passengers, one piece of carry-on baggage with a maximum weight of 7kg/15lbs is permitted at no extra cost. Passengers may also carry the following items as long as they do not exceed 5kg/11lbs: small handbag, laptop, overcoat or blanket, small camera, reading material and infant's basket.

Checked Baggage

The checked Ethiopian Airlines baggage allowance for passengers varies depending on the booking class and destination. All luggage shall not exceed 158 cm (62 inches) for the sum of the three dimensions. Please click here for more information on the route you are flying on.

Cabin Classes

Ethiopian Airlines offers multiple class fares: Economy and Business.

Economy Class

Ethiopian Airlines' Economy Class is full of comfort, warm hospitality and service with a smile.

Economy Class Facilities

On-board, facilities provided in Economy class include light snacks or hot meals on all flights with a range of soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and wine. Every passenger can enjoy the Ethiopian cuisines provided on all flight routes. Children meals are also available.

In-flight entertainment is available with music, documentaries and films.

Economy Class Seating

Comfortable seating is provided in Economy Class with entertainment included. Most seating on the Boeing aircraft is 33in/83cm by 17in/43cm

Business Class

"Cloud Nine" is the name of Ethiopian Airlines' Business Class fare

Business Studios are available on the 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 777 and B767, focused on providing a luxurious experience.

Business Class Facilities

In-flight, relax with personal mood lighting and a massage function, all provided at the touch of a button. Wi-Fi connectivity is provided, as well as touch screen/high definition TV’s, with noise-cancelling headphones, and a Dine Anytime menu. The amenity kit includes two exclusive Colonia products. The A380 Upper Deck also provides a boutique hotel-inspired Lobby space.

Short-haul

Both cold canapés and hot meals are provided on short-haul flights in Business Class, depending on the flight times. A range of hot and cold drinks including coffee and tea are also provided.

Medium and Long haul

A variety of international dishes, as well as Ethiopian national dishes, are served on medium and long-haul flights. A dessert selection and cheeses are followed by a serving of coffee and tea. Ethiopian 'Kolo' - roasted barley - or crackers with complimentary drinks, either alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks are served too during the flight journey.

Business Class Seating

The Business Studio’s have a unique design, with forward and rear-facing seats, aimed at offering increased personal space. There are two seating options available, depending on the airplane body. On narrow-body aircraft, Business Seats offer a generous recline as well as ample legroom. On wide-bodied aircraft, Business flatbed seats recline into a fully-flat bed, with full-size comforters and pillows, back support, and adjustable headrest and cushion firmness!

Check-In

With Ethiopian Airlines, you can check in online or at the airport. Keep reading to find out the opening and closing times for check-in with Ethiopian Airlines.

Online Check-In

Online check-in is available between 2 and 36 hours before departure and will enable passengers with Ethiopian Airlines to confirm their attendance, select their seats and make their way through the airport more efficiently. Check out the web check-in page to find out more information, or our online check-in page to find out about Alternative Airlines.

Airport Check-In

Check-in counters open 3 hours before scheduled departure time and close 1 hour before, regardless of the airport of departure or whether its an international or domestic flight. Airport check-in can be completed by visiting the check-in desks or at one of the self-service kiosks.

In-Flight Entertainment

On certain flights, passengers have access to in-flight entertainment selection on the screens built into the seat in front of them.

TV

Ethiopian Airlines offers TV programs on certain aircraft to help passengers pass the time during their flight.

Movies

Ethiopian Airlines provides movies for passengers to enjoy on certain long-haul aircraft.

Wi-Fi

In-flight WiFi is available on all A350 fleet. Passengers flying in any class can buy WiFi vouchers at Ethiopian Airlines customer service desks, from cabin crew at boarding gates or online.

Price is based on megabytes: $10 USD for 100MB or 4,000 miles; $20 USD for 200MB or 8,000 miles

(Current prices as of October 2019).

Food & Drink

Ethiopian Airlines provides a range of meals and refreshments inspired by traditional Ethiopian cuisine. Different food options are available depending on your fare type.

Meal Options

Meals are inspired by traditional Ethiopian cuisine, from the traditional national dish ‘Injera be wot’ to ‘Teff’ bread, made with the highest quality and freshest ingredients. In Economy class, passengers are given complimentary meals from a light snack to a hot meal, depending on the time and duration of your flight. In ‘Cloud Nine’ cabin, passengers are given a variety of meals, dependent on the duration and departure time of their flight. These are served with fresh fruit, cheese plate, Ethiopian ‘Teff’ bread and a choice of desserts.

The Ethiopian national dish - Lasagna - is found on the following flight routes in Economy Class: 404, 406, 414, 416, 500, 502, 510, 602, 710, 809.

Special Dietary Requirements

Ethiopian Airlines don’t provide any set special meals, however, if you require a special meal such as a vegan or vegetarian meal, gluten-free meal or Kosher meal, contact the airline directly to see what they can do to accommodate you.

Drinks & Alcohol

Passengers can enjoy a selection of drinks on board their Ethiopian Airlines flight, either to accompany their meal or as an aperitif. The selection of drinks includes items such as soft drinks, beers and wine.

Frequent Flyer Program

EA has a frequent flyer program called ShebaMiles to reward regular travellers. There are three various membership Tiers including Blue Membership Card, Silver Membership Card and Gold Membership Card. In addition, ShebaMiles cardholders with Gold or Silver status can make use of the Sheba Miles Lounge facilities.

You can collect frequent flyer points easily with Alternative Airlines and reap the benefits from your chosen alliance. If you are not a member of an Airline Alliance yet, have a read of our article to give you an idea of which frequent flyer program is best for you.

Airline Alliance

Ethiopian Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance - a network of leading global airlines.

Star Alliance

Ethiopian Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, which is one of the leading global airline networks, and therefore the airline has codeshare agreements with many airlines including Air China, Air India, Asiana Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SAS, Rwandair, Oman Air, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines has agreements with Malawian Airlines and ASKY Airlines.

Star Alliance has 26 member airlines. Originally founded in 1997, the Star Alliance began with five founding members which included Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Air Canada, Lufthansa and United Airlines. The alliance has grown considerably now to airlines which fly to more than 1,300 destinations and even more investment is being pumped into frequent flyer programs. There are more than 762 million customers travelling with Star Alliance members every year.

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Destinations that Ethiopian Airlines flies to

Ethiopian Airlines currently flies to over 100 international and over 20 domestic destinations. Click below to discover all the destinations Ethiopian Airlines flies to.

Alternatives to Ethiopian Airlines

Please click the logos below to find alternative airlines that fly to Ethiopia too:

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Get discounted Ethiopian Airlines tickets using a promo code with Alternative Airlines! Check out all our flight promo codes and flight discounts and pay with PayPal to save on your booking.

Special Services

Special services are provided on board from travelling with a pet, unaccompanied minors and traveling whilst pregnant. You can contact Alternative Airlines if you have a special service request.

Fleet

As of December 2022, Ethiopian Airlines operates its flights with a mixture of aircraft models in its fleet. It currently consists of Airbus A350-900s, Boeing 737s, Boeing 777s, Boeing 787s and De Havilland Dash 8-400s. Below is a more accurate list of all the aircraft in Ethiopian Airlines' fleet.

  • Airbus A350-900 x 19 (1 on order)
  • Boeing 737-700 x 9
  • Boeing 737-800 x 17 (4 on order)
  • Boeing 737 MAX 8 x 11 (21 on order)
  • Boeing 767-300ER x 1
  • Boeing 777-200LR x 6
  • Boeing 777-300ER x 4
  • Boeing 787-8 x 19
  • Boeing 787-9 x 8 (2 on order)
  • De Havilland Dash 8-400 x 32

Hub Airports

Addis Ababa Airport

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is the major hub for Ethiopian Airlines and is one of the largest airports in Africa. The airport was formerly known as Haile Selassie I International Airport. It is located in the Bole area.

Other airlines which fly to and from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport include Air ChinaEmiratesEgyptairLufthansaQatar AirwaysSASSaudi Arabian Airlines, South African AirwaysTurkish Airlinesflydubai and many more.

Addis Ababa Airport Lounge Access

The Cloud Nine Lounge at the departure hall in Addis Ababa Airport is exclusive for Cloud Nine passengers where they can wait for their flight in a relaxing and quiet atmosphere in comfortable seats.

News

11 April 2022

Ethiopian Airlines Excited to Launch New Pan-African Airline

Ethiopian Airlines is excited to announce the launch of a new pan-African airline, Air Congo, which is set to begin service in 2022. Air Congo hasn't yet announced its destinations but has confirmed it will fly from one of the following cities: Goma, Kinshasa, Kisangani or Lubumbashi. Air Congo will also be supporting Ethiopian Airlines with its routes to and from Addis Ababa.


21 January 2020

Ethiopian Airlines Announces A New 100 Million Passenger Airport

Ethiopian Airlines have plans to increase their fleet from the current 121 aircraft to over 200. The airline's CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said the airport will be bigger than Dubai Airport but similar to the new Istanbul Airport (IST).

Ethiopian Airlines has been the strongest performing airline in Africa. In 2019, the airline had $260 million operating profit with a 6.5% margin, which makes them the most profitable airlines in Africa.

The current airport that the airline is based has its new terminal opened in January 2019 with a capacity of 22 million passengers per year. However, with the airline's plan for 2050, they decided a new airport is needed for its expansion.