Whenever I get the opportunity to fly on a plane, I am on cloud nine regardless of what cabin I am flying in. However, when flying in business or first class, I am ecstatic and count down the seconds until my flight. While returning from a recent trip to South Africa, I had the chance to travel Ethiopian business class from the busiest airport in Africa, Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport, back to Chicago O’Hare International.
Having experienced Ethiopian Airlines Business Class several times now, I’m here to offer you a trusted and expert perspective on what it’s really like. In this Ethiopian Airlines business class 787 review, we’ll look at the highs and lows of Africa’s largest carrier. Together, we’ll uncover the unique features including Ethiopian Airlines business class food, seats, and the distinctive experiences that make this airline a compelling choice for your African adventure.
I booked this flight for a roundtrip price of 104,000 miles and $170 as my returning home segment. Effectively this ticket was about 52,000 miles for 18 hours in business class, which is a great deal by any means. Lifemiles is among my very favorite frequent flyer programs because of its great redemption rates (just 87,000 miles for a first class Lufthansa ticket!), frequent awards and points sales, and many transfer partners. I transferred American Express Membership Reward points to pay for this trip, but you could use points from any major award program other than Chase.
Welcome aboard this Ethiopian Airlines 787-9 business class review! I received an audible gasp when I told a fellow Rovos Rail passenger I was flying Ethiopian on my way home from Africa. For an airline that is part of the Star Alliance and flys to more destinations in Afirca than any other, I found this response a bit odd.
After spending an incredible week exploring Cape Town and the surrounding wine region, I said goodbye to my group and made my way to the Cape Town International Airport. Check-in for my Ethiopian 787-9 business class flight was straightforward with little to no wait at the dedicated business class check-in. The staff was cheerful and had us sorted in minutes. I was on the first leg of a wild Aeroplan routing that had me going through Addis Ababa, Dubai, and Houston before arriving home in Vancouver. This route was chosen based on business class availability end-to-end but also so I could fly on Emirite A380 business class.
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Earlier in the year I experienced Ethiopian Airlines Business Class on their regional service both from Hargeisa, in Somaliland, to Kigali, in Rwanda and then back from Kigali to Dubai via Addis Ababa on both ways. As a Business Class passenger, I checked in on the designated counter at Changi Airport Terminal 2.
Ethiopian, like other Star Alliance members, use this lounge for Business Class passengers. SATS Premier lounge is adequate, though the food and drinks selection, at least at that time, was not very inviting. I stayed at the lounge until boarding then headed to the gate where a mum and her 10 month old baby were trying to go through a security screening. That means that I boarded through the Economy gate.
Our Ethiopian Airlines business class seats got us access to the CPT International Sky Lounge. I was expecting a better Star Alliance lounge option however Johannesburg is the hub city and its airport benefits from better services. Nonetheless, we made our way through the crowded entry and up to the lounge for a pre-flight snack and drink. The CPT International Sky Lounge was VERY crowded and VERY hot on our visit. The heat in Cape Town that week surely didn’t help but there were several large air conditioners throughout the space which shows, at least, the problem is acknowledged. On the positive, there was a decent selection of snacks and drinks and we were able to find seats tucked away from the large crowd. Stay tuned for my full review.
The Cabin and Seat
Ethiopian’s Dreamliner’s Business Class cabin is located at the front of the plane. It contains 24 lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration that face forward and have access to the aisle, with the exception of window seats where you have to climb over your neighbor. Seats on the sides are slightly angled away from the aisle, offering slightly more privacy.
As I boarded our Ethiopian 787-9 business class flight I was surprised to find an empty cabin. I quickly found that Ethiopian Airlines business class seats on the 787-9 offer a truly comfortable way to fly. With surprisingly spacious seating that reclines into a fully flat bed, these seats provide ample room to relax and get some rest during long-haul flights. The layout is 2-2-2 so aisle access is not available for every passenger.
Read also: Review: Ethiopian Airlines Business
Each seat comes equipped with a large touchscreen entertainment system, a variety of storage compartments, and a comfortable workspace for those who want to stay productive in the air. Mt. Ehtiopian’s B787-8 Cloud Nine Business Class seat is arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration. I found it to be a comfortable seat with a large, high-quality screen and decent legroom. However, the issue falls on whether or not you have a neighbor. There is not too much privacy with this seat, which is mostly open to the entire cabin. Regardless, I recommend picking a window seat unless you anticipate needing to get up frequently throughout the flight since it is more private.
All our previous Ethiopian Airlines flights were operated at best at 2 x 2 x 2 flat bed configuration and this was the first time we experienced a 1 x 2 x 1 configuration. Ethiopian is notorious in swapping aircrafts at the last minute and even a few days before the flight it showed a 2 x 2 x 2 layout so we were very elated upon entering the aircraft and seeing the different layout. After 5 Ethiopian Airlines flights with 2 x 2 x 2 seat configuration, we finally lucked into a 1 x 2 x 1 on this flight. That too we realized only after entering the cabin :). All seats having direct aisle access, does make quite a bit of difference.
On the shared armrest when I sat down was a bright red amenity kit. These kits come in either yellow, green, or red, and I got a yellow one last flight so it was nice to mix it up with a different color. Inside the case was a dental kit, comb, hand sanitizer, eye mask, lip balm, pair of socks, set of earplugs, branded pen, and a face mask. Almost all the items were, like the amenity kit case and the seats, bright red.
The Ethiopian 787-9 business class seats and cabin certainly aren’t the most stylish in the sky. With bright red the only colour to go with the hard grey plastic, they aren’t much to look at. Still, what points Ethiopian Airlines loses in style are made up in function.
Upon boarding, the seat was left with a pillow and blanket, which happened to be green, making the seat a fun, Christmas-like color combination. After boarding, amenity kits and water bottles were brought throughout the cabin.
Read also: Review: Kenya Airways Business Class
The seat itself is firm but otherwise comfortable. It has a pitch of 68 inches (though it measures 74 inches long in bed mode) and a width of 22 inches, about average among business class cabins today. Each seat has an ancient-looking monitor (many of Ethiopian’s 787s have much newer IFEs), controlled by an armrest controller. Underneath the monitor is a storage drawer and footrest, which becomes part of the flatbed when the seat is reclined. The armrest between paired seats features seat controls, a remote for the entertainment system, and a small shared table for drinks and snacks. It also contains a fold-out tray table that needs to be pulled out for use, blocking you in your seat.
There is no First Class services on the flight and no Premium Economy so the B787 is a two-class aircraft with 24 Business Class seats and 246 Economy Class seats. The older Boeing 787 Business Class design was not very inviting. It looked not only old but also worn out, so much so that the armrest was broken and would not go down when I pressed it.
As soon as I sat down on my seat I noticed that the area around the TV and the seat, was bare, without any airline magazines or duty free catalogues, safety instruction sheets, not even headsets visible. I only found the magazines and duty free catalogue when I left my seat and realised they were stored on the armrest.
The seat went flat but at an incline. That means that, through the night, I had to pull myself up as my toes were getting crushed against the footrest wall. There was a compartment to store small items to the side of the seat, where the electricity socket and the USB connector was. This is also where you would plug your headsets and where the water bottle could be placed. I found this the perfect place to keep the amenity kit and my phone but not much else. Next to the TV there were two additional compartments, a bigger one at the bottom for your shoes, and a smaller one above to place other larger items.
The cabin is on a 2-2-2 reverse herringbone configuration with four rows and a total of 24 seats. The first row has more spacious footrests, because the footrests of all the other rows are sandwiched between the seats in the row in front, but is also closer to the galley.
Though the seat’s pitch is 68 inches, it measures 74 inches in bed mode. The bed was, unfortunately, not particularly comfortable due to the lackluster padding in the seat.
There’s just one dedicated lavatory for 24 business class seats, so there was frequently a line to get in. By contrast, on my last Ethiopian Airlines flight aboard the A350, there were four lavatories for 30 business class seats. Though there was often a wait to get in, the bathroom was kept clean throughout this very long flight.
The lavatories were clean and basic with nothing of note to write home about, but these washrooms hardly ever are. Much like the seats, the amenities kit is ugly but functional. The bag contains all the standard items (eye mask, socks, toothbrush, hand lotion etc..) but what I particularly liked is the kit opens up wide with a hook so you can conveniently hang the bag. Lastly, the bedding and blankets were great and I slept very well, something not common for me on long flights.
Ethiopian Airlines Business class 787 Seoul - Addis Ababa 2023
Service and Amenities
As I found during my Ethiopian Airlines 787-9 business class review, service is top-notch marked by its attentive and accommodating cabin crew. Staff was friendly and attentive from takeoff to touchdown. This was highlighted by the traditional dress worn and the helpful explanations of the food served. Service started with a hot towel then a choice of orange juice, water, or champagne. Prior to dinner a snack of crackers were served with a drink selection. I asked for a gin and tonic and had a choice of flavoured tonic water which was nice.
As I expected, Ethiopian Airlines’ flight attendants on this business class trip were kind, responsive, and professional. Despite the flight clocking in at a whopping 17 hours and 40 minutes, the cabin looked as if we had just stepped on board throughout the entire flight.
Ethiopian Airlines does not have the friendliest staff but both flights had very different types of crew and service levels. When my armrest was broken, I was told to find another seat only to then be asked to move because I picked a seat that was reserved for the crew (beyond the curtained off seats). On my second flight to Buenos Aires the crew were far more attentive throughout the flight and came to offer drinks when I was writing this review.
Food and Drink
Shortly after boarding, the stewardess walked around offering a choice of champagne, orange juice, or cinnamon water. The dinner service, which for whatever reason was under the lunch section despite being served at around midnight, was excellent. It comprised three massive courses and was definitely the highlight of the nearly 18 hours journey.
The food was pretty good. It wasn’t something out of this world but good enough for a business class. Onboard food and drinks are one of the most important elements in a longhaul flight, so reviewing Ethiopian Airlines Business Class means spending quite a bit of time on the food. Both flights had two meal services, two dinners, one breakfast and one lunch. Pre-flight, you could select your choice of a special meal, but I did not.
The meal service offered a choice between two starters, a salad, four mains and the possibility of trying Ethiopian cuisine of injera. Both flights had a choice of four white and four red wines from South Africa, France and Ethiopia, and a huge selection of spirits and liquors, three types of beer and one port wine. There were also several types of juices and soft drinks.
Meal service started with some snacks and drinks. On the daytime flight the gap between snacks and lunch was incredibly long, approaching 2h, which was far too long. The tray with starter and salad was brought out in a trolley and we picked the starter on the spot. The bread basket came after the starter was brought out and included only two choices of white or brown bread rolls which had been warmed up. After starters, the crew brought out a trolley with Ethiopian injera and traditional dishes which were optional.
Despite having eaten lots of Ethiopian food just a few hours earlier, I had an assortment of stews and an Ethiopian flatbread called Injera. I gotta say, I really don’t get tired of this food. Completely stuffed, I soldiered on to dessert, and ordered the Ye-Teff cake, a traditional Ethiopian confectionary made from Teff flour.
Admittedly, I have loved all the Ethiopian meals I have tried in Vancouver and, sadly, I missed out on my food tour in Addis Ababa so keep that in mind when I say that the Ethiopian food on Ethiopian Airlines and in their ADD lounge are the best I have ever had. I thought I learned my lesson from my Ethiopian Airlines A350 business class flight where I didn’t know that there was a full 3-course meal AFTER the Ethiopian dishes but I still managed to overeat. It’s that good. For my main, I had Peri-Peri Grilled Chicken which was just OK but I wasn’t. My travel partner had the steak and was also just OK. There was a seasonal fish dish that I wish I tried instead as they seem to do best with local flavours.
There were three meal services throughout the flight, with plenty of drink services in between. The first meal service was after takeoff in Addis Ababa, which was lunch. I had some salmon and salad, as well as some beef for the main, which was alright. However, I got excited when the desert was brought around on a carte. I had some fresh-cut cheese and fruit. The second meal service was immediately after takeoff in Lome, an experience I will cover in more depth in a future article. For this meal, I wanted to try out some Ethiopian options. It was followed by a fantastic course of more Ethiopian cuisine, served directly to the plate. I asked the flight attendant for whatever she recommended, which did not disappoint. While not the most aesthetically pleasing, this was the highlight course of the entire flight. This course was followed by some lamb, which was with rice and chickpeas, but I was already stuffed. Finally, the last and brief meal service occurred just a bit before landing. It was a kale sponge stuffed with meat and cottage cheese, and to be frank, I was not a fan.
The drink selection on board was vast, including champagnes, a selection of wines including different dessert wines, and other alcoholic options. The service is definitely what shined the brightest about this flight. Everything from discussing their experiences from living in Addis Ababa to traveling the world and past experiences visiting D.C. The flight attendants were excited and invested in my sampling of different Ethiopian cuisines, which was an enjoyable experience.
| Meal Service | Description |
|---|---|
| First Meal | Salmon, salad, beef main course, cheese and fruit dessert |
| Second Meal | Ethiopian cuisine (recommended by flight attendant) followed by lamb with rice and chickpeas |
| Third Meal | Kale sponge stuffed with meat and cottage cheese |
After dinner, I brushed my teeth and settled in for the night.
In-Flight Entertainment
Unlike the big, beautiful, and responsive touchscreen IFE on my last leg, this IFE was low resolution and slow.
Ethiopian Airlines business class 787 in-flight entertainment is a decent offering of new-release blockbuster movies and hit TV shows. Whether you’re catching up on the latest Hollywood film, enjoying the classics, or relaxing to your favourite tunes, the in-flight entertainment system adds an extra layer of comfort and enjoyment to your journey.
Like most Asian airlines, Ethiopian Airlines offers a wide range of movies from many countries as well as a modest selection of series, some music and games and a few documentaries. Surprisingly, the entertainment system was not the same on both flights.
Other Details
I arrived in Addis Ababa at around 3 PM following my flight from Johannesburg. To get there, I went upstairs, walked past the Sheba Miles Platinum Lounge, and entered the Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge on my left. The lounge was relatively busy, but I didn’t have trouble finding a table. This lounge has a few different areas, including a bar, smoking room, meeting room, quiet area, prayer room, and a children’s play area. I won’t provide a full review of this lounge, but will give you a quick overview of what I found to be the highlight: the food.
Very early in the morning, I was awoken by the PA announcing that we would soon be landing in Dublin for what’s known as a technical stop. A technical stop is basically one in which a plane refuels or undergoes repairs but no passengers or cargo disembarks. In this case, we were stopping to refuel. The answer, fascinatingly, is that because of Addis Ababa’s high elevation-the airport sits at 7,657 feet above sea level-the air is thinner and fewer air molecules pass through the engines, generating less thrust, which means that departing aircraft must carry less fuel than they need to get to the US in order to achieve a lower takeoff weight.
As we descended into Dublin, we were greeted by a classically Irish grey, rainy morning sky.
Boarding went smoothly and I was on the plane 45 minutes before takeoff. My first impressions were so-so. I don’t love the bright red seats or the 2-2-2 configuration, and the cabin looked threadbare compared to Ethiopian’s A350 I’d flown in earlier that day.
While the overall food is not the best, several other airlines such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SWISS or Emirates do a much better job at presenting and preparing their inflight meals.
Something worth considering is the connection via Addis Ababa. Flights are often delayed and missing a connection is commonplace. Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa. Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing. I find all of my flights on KAYAK. Check their Deals section too. I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide, they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance. Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb. Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com.
Given the unfavorable comments I previously heard, my journey with Ethiopian Airlines 787-9 business class was a pleasant surprise. From the moment I settled into those spacious and comfortable seats to the delightful culinary experiences and top-notch in-flight entertainment, Ethiopian Airlines truly stands out as THE carrier in Africa. Would I pick them or Emirates or Turkish? It was a surprising favorite of mine because it shattered any preconceived notions I may have had about what to expect from an airline. The impeccable service, attention to detail, and the perfect balance of modern luxury and cultural authenticity have left a lasting impression.
My business class flight aboard Ethiopian Airlines’ 787 was average. On the one hand, the food and service were both excellent. On the other, the cabin was badly outdated, the seat poorly padded, the IFE unresponsive, and the selection of TV shows and movies small.
With such a wide network of destinations, I look at it like the Turkish Airlines of Africa, with a huge reach to almost anywhere in Africa and very appealing prices. The new Boeing 787 Dreamliner cabins are quite comfortable and modern, and the food is always generous, if not the best looking or elaborate, but the older cabins feel outdated and worn out.
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