Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent's largest airline brand. In its seventy-seven years of successful operations, Ethiopian has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lion's share of the African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.
Ethiopian's fleet category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and Bombardier Dash 8-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of seven years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate most of these aircraft.
Ethiopian operates Africa's largest Dreamliner fleet with a mix of 787-8s and 787-9s. Let's delve into the details of Ethiopian Airlines' Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Ethiopian Airlines was the first African airline to take delivery of the 787, and the Dreamliner family continues to play an integral role in its long-haul fleet.
Here's a breakdown of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet:
Read also: Navigating Ethiopian Airlines
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Ethiopian Airlines operates several Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. Here is a list of the 787-8 aircraft in the Ethiopian Airlines fleet:
- ET-AOO
- ET-AOP
- ET-AOQ
- ET-AOR
- ET-AOS
- ET-AOT
- ET-AOU
- ET-AOV
- ET-ARE
- ET-ARF
- ET-ASG
- ET-ASH
- ET-ASI
- ET-ATG
- ET-ATH
- ET-ATI
- ET-ATJ
- ET-ATK
- ET-ATL
The Insane Engineering of the 787
Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
The 787-9 can fly 296 passengers 14,010 km (7,565 nautical miles), in addition to carrying substantial cargo. Ethiopian Airlines also utilizes the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Here is a list of the 787-9 aircraft in the Ethiopian Airlines fleet:
- ET-AUO
- ET-AUP
- ET-AUQ
- ET-AUR
- ET-AXK
- ET-AXL
- ET-AXS
- ET-AXT
- ET-AYC
- ET-AYD
Recent Orders and Expansions
Ethiopian Airlines continues to modernize and expand its fleet. On Nov. 14, 2023, Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced the carrier has agreed to order 11 787 Dreamliner and 20 737 MAX airplanes with an opportunity for 15 and 21 additional jets, respectively.
Ethiopian is ordering the 787-9 variant, part of a Dreamliner family that reduces fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces. The carrier is also adding the 737-8 model, which reduces fuel use and emissions by 20% and creates a 50% smaller noise footprint compared to the airplanes it replaces. The new commitment positions Ethiopian Airlines to further strengthen and diversify its fleet, which currently includes more than 80 Boeing jets.
Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines also agreed to work together to provide cabin modification services for the carrier's existing 787 Dreamliners.
Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook forecasts Africa's annual air traffic growth at more than 7% through 2042 ─ the third-highest growth rate among global regions and above the global average of approximately 6%.
Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2035 that will see it become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world by providing safe, secured, market driven and customer focused Passenger and Cargo Transport and Logistics, Aviation Training, Airport Management and Ground Services, MRO and Aerospace Manufacturing and Travel and Tourism Services.
Read also: The Hijacking of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 508
In March 2024, Ethiopian Airlines placed an order for eight Boeing 777X jets.
Ethiopian Airlines Fleet Composition
Here is an overview of the aircraft types in the Ethiopian Airlines fleet:
| Aircraft Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Airbus A350-900 | ET-ATQ, ET-ATR, ET-ATY |
| Airbus A350-1000 | ET-BAW, ET-BAX, ET-BAY, ET-BAZ |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | ET-AVI, ET-AVK, ET-AVL |
| Boeing 737-760 | ET-ALM, ET-ALN |
| Boeing 737-860 | ET-APF, ET-APL, ET-AQN |
| Boeing 767-360(ER) | ET-ALJ, ET-ALO, ET-ALP |
| Boeing 777-260(LR) | ET-ANN, ET-ANO, ET-ANP |
| Boeing 777-F6N | ET-APS, ET-APU, ET-AQL |
| Boeing 777-36N(ER) | ET-APX, ET-APY, ET-ASK |
| Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | ET-AOO, ET-AOP, ET-AOQ |
| Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | ET-AUO, ET-AUP, ET-AUQ |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 | ET-ANJ, ET-ANK, ET-ANL |
