Ethiopian Airlines, the flag carrier of Ethiopia, offers daily flights between Addis Ababa and London, providing a gateway to Africa. This review delves into the economy class experience, covering aspects from ground experience to in-flight amenities.
Ground Experience
Navigating Heathrow T2 can be challenging. The self-service check-in booths in Zone D often have clusters of confused-looking families. Online check-in, available 36 hours before the flight, allows you to pick a seat at no extra charge, saving you potential stress.
In Newark, the economy check-in line can take about 15 minutes, and the security line can add another 30 minutes since Ethiopian Airlines doesn't participate in TSA PreCheck.
In Lome, the transfer process can be chaotic. Passengers connecting to Newark may experience lax security and a rushed boarding process. In Monrovia, passengers may receive handwritten baggage tags and boarding cards for ASKY flights, with instructions to pick up an Ethiopian boarding pass in Lome.
Cabin and Seat
The aircraft generally create a good first impression, with pleasant Ethiopian music playing and welcoming flight attendants. Economy class on Ethiopian's 787-8s is arranged in two large cabins with 3-3-3 seating. The airline also flies the larger 787-9.
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The economy seats are generally comfortable enough, approximately 17-17.5 inches wide with a 32-inch pitch. Here's a breakdown of seat features:
- Seat Width: Varies from 17 to 17.5 inches
- Seat Pitch: Ranges from 30 to 32.5 inches
- Recline: Around 6.5 inches, but some seats may not stay reclined
- Headrest: Adjustable with bendable wings
- Tray Table: Fold-down, approximately 16.75 inches by 9.5 inches
Tall passengers should consider seats 33A-C and 33J-L at the front of the second cabin, which have extra room thanks to the emergency exit. The window seats will give you a bit more distance from the washroom.
There are six bathrooms in the economy cabin: two at the front of the first cabin, two between the economy cabins, and two at the rear of the second economy cabin. These bathrooms generally weren't kept clean or well-stocked during the flight.
Amenities and IFE
Every seat has a UK plug socket and USB point. There's an IFE screen that measures 9 inches along its diagonal on each seat back. The screen can tilt so that you can still see it if the passenger ahead of you reclines.
The IFE system includes a selection of movies and TV shows. There are 123 movies that are divided into five categories: 20 Blockbuster, 77 Classic, 14 Asian, 10 African and two Arabic. 259 television programs are listed under the "Movies" heading, but in their own categories: 18 Kids, 38 Comedy, 38 Drama, 23 Discovery, 38 Lifestyle, two Brazilian, 48 Box Sets, eight Indian, 10 European, 10 Short Movies, 16 Marvel Universe, eight Star Wars and two Russian.
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Unfortunately, you have to sit through a 2.5-minute ad for Ethiopia and Ethiopian Airlines before each movie or show. Plus, there's a one-minute ad at the end of each movie or show.
While the aircraft was taxing for takeoff, a flight attendant provided a plastic-wrapped amenity kit with socks, an eye mask, toothbrush, and toothpaste. A pillow and blanket should be on each seat at boarding.
Here's a summary of the amenities:
- IFE Screen: 9 inches
- Movies: 123
- TV Shows: 259
- Wi-Fi: No
- Power: USB outlet available, but no AC power outlet
- Amenity Kit: Includes socks, eye mask, toothbrush, and toothpaste
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Food and Beverage
Dinner reached us in the middle of the second economy cabin about an hour after take-off, so it could be worth factoring in a pre-flight snack. A departure meal and arrival meal were served in both directions. The following drinks were available on both flights: water, passion fruit juice, orange juice, apple juice, pineapple juice, tomato juice, tea, coffee, Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Indian tonic water, Barton Guestier Cuvée Spéciale red and white wines, Golden Lager Beer and Bavaria beer.
For example, on the flight to Newark, the departure meal was served 51 minutes after departure. Passengers were given a choice of chicken or beef, so I opted for chicken. It was boneless, flavorful and served with rice. Regardless of whether you ordered chicken or beef, the main entree was served with a chickpea appetizer, cheese and crackers, a roll with butter and a cup of fruit.
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A self-serve drink area with sodas, water, and juices was set up in the galley at the rear of the aircraft. There was also a basket of vegan bread snacks and a lone orange up for grabs in the galley.
Service
I have modest expectations when it comes to service in economy, but the flight attendants on both of my Ethiopian flights did the bare minimum with no personality or friendliness. They even seemed to treat some passengers with contempt. Water was served in the cabin to passengers who were awake just once during my flight to Newark.
Flight attendants on this flight were not pleasant, generally ignored passengers and were completely absent for part of the flight.
Summary of Ratings:
| Category | Rating (Out of 5) |
| Ground Experience | 2 |
| Cabin and Seat | 19 (Out of 30) |
| Amenities and IFE | 21 (Out of 40) |
| Food and Beverage | 12 (Out of 15) |
| Service | 2 (Out of 10) |
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