Ethiopia Airlines isn’t often put in the spotlight, but its time has come.
It is now the largest African airline and was voted Africa’s best airline for 2023 at the Aviation Oscars.
What’s more, the airline can facilitate wild times, with an extensive network that travelers in the Americas and Europe can use to reach safari destinations, such as Maun in Botswana, the starting point for safaris in the Okavango Delta.
From June 9, it will fly three times a week from London Heathrow to Maun and twice a week from Manchester, via Addis Ababa.
With my phone in video mode, I put Ethiopian Airlines’ Cloud9 business class to the test on a flight from Heathrow to Addis Ababa. My next destination was Gaborone, Botswana, to attend a conference, and no, the airline didn’t know it was under scrutiny.
Carmen Roberts flies Cloud9, Ethiopian Airlines’ business class, on an Airbus A350 from Heathrow to Addis Ababa
The photo above shows Carmen’s window seat, which she said had a “luxurious feel, despite the flashy upholstery.” The cockpit was in a 1-2-1 configuration.
I can’t fault the initial experience at the airport.
I breezed through check-in having done it online, then zipped through Heathrow Terminal 2’s fast-track security lanes offered to premium Star Alliance passengers with my carry-on in tow.
(Yes, that’s right, I flew to Africa for a week, with carry-on luggage only.)
There are plenty of Star Alliance lounge options at Heathrow, including Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris Lounge, Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge and the Lufthansa Lounge, but I opted for the United Club for a glass of champagne in the spacious bar with view of the track.
My overnight flight to Addis Ababa was on the Airbus A350 plane. Cloud9 business class features 30 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, allowing all passengers aisle access.
The new Safran Optima seats have a luxurious feel, despite the garish red and green upholstery in distinctive Ethiopian colours.
The cabin layout is staggered, so try to book an even seat if you want to be closer to the window for a little more privacy.
The seat “was spacious, with generous legroom and deep footwell,” writes Carmen, who reveals that she “slept well” in a recumbent position.
This still image from Carmen’s video shows the buttons to maneuver the seat.
LEFT: Carmen with the amenity kit, which contained toothpaste, socks, lip balm and more. RIGHT: The business class menu on board
At my seat was a fully stocked amenity kit: hairbrush, generously sized Colgate toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, eye mask, lip balm, earplugs and hand sanitizer. You could overlook the extensive plastic packaging and bright green polyester box, as the contents made up for its less than luxurious exterior.
The seat itself was spacious, with generous legroom and deep footwell.
It measures 200 cm (79 inches) when the seat is fully reclined and 53 cm (21 inches) wide.
The TV screen was also large: 17 inches (43 cm).
The headphones were pretty basic for business class, but on a red-eye flight I was happy to sleep after the obligatory five-course meal service.
Now, I had heard some complaints about the long meal service, especially on overnight flights, but I was looking forward to trying the traditional Ethiopian dishes on offer.
If you’ve been to Ethiopia, your mouth will water just thinking about it.
I was therefore disappointed to learn that I would have to wait for my next flight to Gaborone to enjoy these delights.
The food options were bland in comparison. I had a beef pastrami salad, skipped the soup, and indulged in the chicken Milanese, a nod to the Italian influence in Ethiopia.
After the meal service, I converted my spacious seat into a completely flat bed. The seat widens toward the center to accommodate side sleepers, and the electronic controls were responsive. Although there was no door or screen, the cocoon-shaped seats gave it a more private feel.
Carmen reveals that she is disappointed with the Italian-inspired food, which she describes as “bland” compared to the traditional Ethiopian food that the carrier also offers on some stretches. She ate a beef pastrami salad and delighted in the chicken Milanese.
Ethiopia Airlines now flies to Maun in Botswana, the departure point for safaris in the Okavango Delta (above)
Overall, the experience was quite comfortable and I slept well under the light, bright green duvet. Although I would have liked a seat cover for a cozier bed feel.
Overall, I cannot fault the Ethiopian Airlines staff and their friendly and helpful behavior. The seats were comfortable and comparable to other conventional international airlines, especially if you are traveling on the newer A350 aircraft.
If you are venturing to Africa, I would recommend flying with Ethiopia as their network is extensive, covering over 60 destinations on the continent and counting.
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