Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I flew Business Class with Ethiopian Airlines from Brussels (Belgium) to Cape Town (South Africa) via the carrier’s hub in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia’s capital). The return trip was from Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) to Milan (Italy). You can read my trip reports here:
The first leg of my journey with Ethiopian Airlines was operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which featured fully lie flat seats in Business Class (or “Cloud Nine” as Ethiopian calls its premium cabin product). Launched in 1946, Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest airlines, and also the world’s 4th largest airline by number of countries served. The carrier offers a solid (albeit not mindblowing) Business Class product on its widebody fleet at a very competitive pricing that is hard to beat. Note that Ethiopian’s 10 oldest B787s are still flying around with angled lie flat seats (similar to the ones you find on the carrier’s Boeing 777s), so this Business Class review is not representative of all Ethiopian’s Dreamliners.
I paid this roundtrip Business Class ticket from Brussels to Cape Town with miles & cash: 38 euros + 112000 miles. The ticket was booked via Lufthansa’s frequent flyer program Miles & More. Read my review of Miles & More (with pros, cons, & tips) here.
Ethiopian Airlines Review: 787 Business Class, Lounge & Skylight Hotel
Ethiopian Airlines is the largest, fastest growing and only consistently profitable airline in Africa, registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years. In its seventy plus years of operation, Ethiopian has become the continent’s leading carrier, unrivaled in efficiency and operational success. It operates the continent’s youngest long-haul fleet (average fleet age of six years) to more than 100 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Its fleet is currently composed of:
Ethiopian’s B787 Dreamliner features one large Business Class cabin, located in the aircraft’s nose section. There are 24 seats, spread over 4 rows and arranged in a (suboptimal) 2-2-2 configuration. All seats face forward and have aisle access, except for the window seats (where you have to climb over the legs of your neighbor to reach the aisle). The seats on the side are slightly angled towards the windows, away from the aisle. Paired seats are staggered by a couple of inches (cm), which – together with a small partition – adds some privacy in case you are seated next to a stranger (although the seats and cabin are very open) and at the same time allows enough interaction when you are traveling with a companion. The seats are covered in a red fabric, which is the only bright color in an otherwise neutral cabin color palette.
This is the same Business Class layout which you find on other airlines, such as KLM’s B777, United Airlines’ B787s, and Qatar Airlines’ A330s.
A Ride Onboard The Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner In Business Class
Before I review the Business Class seat, it’s important to note that not all of Ethiopian’s B787 Dreamliners feature lie-flat seats. The first ten Dreamliner aircraft were delivered with an older Business Class product with angled lie flat seats (170 degrees recline), while the newer Dreamliners have all been delivered with fully flat beds (180 degrees recline). Unfortunately, when you’re booked on one of Ethiopian’s B787s, there’s no way to know upfront which kind of Business Class product you will get (angled versus full lie flat seat). This review only covers the fully lie flat Business Class seat.
The seat is pleasant, although it doesn’t offer much privacy and the comfort of the flat-bed will largely depend on the seat that you choose (more on that below). The soft cushioned seat has a pitch of 78 inch (195 cm), which is defined as the space between one point on a seat and the same point on the seat in front of it. The seat width is 22 inch (56 cm) – defined as the space between the arm rests – which is comfortable but not among the widest in the industry.
Each seat features its own 15, 4 inch HD TV, which can be controlled by either a handset in the armrest or by directly touching the screen. Below the TV monitor, you find a drawer which is large enough to store a laptop, and a footrest which becomes part of the flatbed once the seat is fully reclined. The size of this footrest differs dramatically depending upon the row: the bulkhead seats in row 1 offer a much larger ottoman as compared to the cramp footrests of all the other Business Class seats (so make sure to choose a seat in the first row if you can).
What To Know About Flying Ethiopian Airlines Business Class
The arm rest that is shared between paired seats features a small shared table (for drinks and snacks), the seat controls, and the remote control for the entertainment system. It also houses a moderately sized fold-out tray table which needs to be pulled out for any use (after which you are kind of blocked in your seat). On the other side of the seat, behind the headrest, is a small, somewhat difficult to reach storage compartment, where you find a universal AC power outlet and a USB port.
The seat goes fully flat (180 degrees recline), but again, your sleep comfort will depend on the seat you choose: except for the bulkhead seats in row 1 (which come with large ottomans), the footrests are too narrow for a good night’s rest.
On this overnight flight, one meal (dinner) was served, right after takeoff. A limited continental breakfast service was also provided prior to landing.
Airline Review: Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian’s B787 Dreamliners feature a modern inflight entertainment system with a high-resolution 15, 4 inches screen in front of each seat and in-seat power outlets (the inflight audio and video entertainments are accessible with your own mobile devices /tablets). The entertainment selection is more limited as compared with other carriers, but enough to keep you entertained during a few hours. Noise-cancelling headphones are offered as well.
Unfortunately, this aircraft was not equipped with WiFi. Ethiopian Airlines is currently installing internet on its A350 fleet (but not on its Dreamliners).
# CREW: The crew on this flight was professional, attentive, and friendly, although they did not interact much with the passengers, and appeared a bit uninterested at times.
Ethiopian Airlines 787 New Fully Flat Business Class
# LAVATORY: There’s one lavatory exclusive for Business Class passengers in the galley behind the cockpit, and there are two more in the galley between the Business Class cabin and forward Economy Class cabin, although these are used by passengers seated in both cabins.
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Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Review
My YouTube channel is one of the most followed travel vlogs in the world. I publish one new video per week (hotel or flight review). Click here to subscribe to my Youtube channel.To begin, after years of dreaming, I finally made it to South Africa, specifically Cape Town. While there, I enjoyed three weeks in the country and did lots of exciting activities, such as a safari where I saw loads of magical animals, went to a penguin beach where I enjoyed the lovely little waddlers, dove with sharks and got my adrenaline rush, visited the Cape of Good Hope which was gorgeous, met lots of great people, and so much more! Nevertheless, after some time, I felt that it was time to get back to Asia, which had recently opened after the COVID pandemic lockdowns had eased.
Undoubtedly, one of my favorite Asian countries is South Korea where I had lived previously, years before. After five years away, I felt it was time to return and enjoy this beautiful country, so I booked my ticket! For the journey, I did lots of research on potential flight routes. After analyzing the flight schedules thoroughly, and much deliberation, I decided to fly with Ethiopian Airlines, a
For one thing, Ethiopian Airlines was actually one that I had never flown with before. Consequently, I was very excited to experience what they had to offer, especially in business class!
Ethiopian Airlines' Two New Business Class Seats
To begin, I flew from Cape Town to Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 846, which lasted six hours and 25 minutes. This was followed by a 30 minute layover in Addis Ababa. Secondly, I then boarded flight ET 672 for the remaining 11 hour and 40 minute flight to Incheon, South Korea. Boy was I excited!
Upon arrival to the Cape Town airport, I checked in at the Ethiopian Airlines desk smoothly, and then proceeded to the expedited security screening. Certainly I always get excited when I am on my way to a lounge, whether it’s in a luxury hotel or when I’m flying business class. Imagining all of the food and drink is enough to get me all giddy!
Next, I stepped inside the lounge to see a fairly modern and well designed space with numerous comfortable seating options. However, my eyes first went to the sizable buffet spread with both
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