Is Ethiopian Airlines a Good Airline?
Looking to find out if Ethiopian Airlines is a good option? You’re in the right place. Here’s a quick snapshot before we dive deeper.
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest carrier, flying to over 125 destinations across five continents. Ethiopian Airlines offers a modern fleet, great onboard features, and smooth connections. It's helpful when applying for an Ethiopia eVisa. It’s definitely worth seeing if the airline meets the high expectations it’s known for.
Key Features:
- Extensive international network reaching Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas
- Modern aircraft like Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A350 for long‑haul comfort
- Complimentary meals, even in economy, on many routes
- In-flight entertainment and USB charging ports on long flights
- Friendly, multilingual crew praised in reviews
- Good value: fares often undercut Middle Eastern carriers on similar routes
Comfort & Onboard Experience
Many passengers ask if Ethiopian Airlines is a good airline when it comes to seat comfort. Ethiopian Airlines’ A350 economy seats are about 18 inches wide with 32 inches of legroom. It’s not super spacious, but it’s decent enough for the 13-hour flight from Washington, DC to Addis Ababa. One traveler called it "bright" and roomier than many short‑haul flights.
Entertainment systems come with a solid mix of TV, movies, music, and USB ports. Wi‑Fi is available for around $25. Airline quality reviews note clean cabins, functional lavatories, and on‑time operations.
Meals & Service
Meals consistently get praise. On a typical long‑haul flight, economy passengers receive two hot meals, featuring local cuisine like chicken curry, rice, salads, and dessert. The crew is known for hospitality. One business class traveler applauded the warm service and wine recommendations.
Is Ethiopian Airlines a good airline? On the service scale, definitely yes.
Network & Connections
Ethiopian Airlines operates a vast network, connecting even remote African cities. Their popular stopover program offers free hotel stays for transit passengers in Addis Ababa. This is ideal if you’re applying for an Ethiopia eVisa.
Connecting flights with Ethiopian Airlines are usually hassle-free. Many business travelers like that the airline flies to destinations that other carriers often don’t reach. Also, ticket prices are generally lower than what you'd pay with many Middle Eastern or European airlines.
Pricing & Value
Fares are often up to 20% to 30% cheaper than rival airlines on East-West routes. One traveler booked a Denver-Zanzibar ticket for $975, which included two long‑haul segments and a domestic leg.
Some reviewers highlight the occasional loss of luggage or uneven service, particularly on domestic legs. Still, for most travelers, the solid baseline is modern aircraft and decent service, which makes Ethiopian Airlines an excellent value pick.
Safety & Fleet
Ethiopian Airlines operates a modern fleet that includes Boeing 737 MAX 8s and Airbus A350s. These aircraft are kept in excellent condition and meet high safety and maintenance standards. Reviews mention clean lavatories, efficient boarding and disembarking, and overall reliability.
Ethiopian Airlines maintains a strong safety record and is rated highly by aviation agencies.