Planning a trip with Ethiopian Airlines? Understanding their baggage policies is crucial for a smooth and stress-free journey. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Ethiopian Airlines' baggage allowance, fees, and important regulations.
Carry-on Baggage Allowance
Ethiopian Airlines has specific rules regarding carry-on baggage, depending on your class of service:
- Economy Class: Passengers are allowed 1 piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 7 kg (17 lbs) and maximum dimensions of 23 x 40 x 55 cm (approximately 9 x 16 x 22 inches).
- Business Class (Cloud 9): Passengers are allowed 2 pieces of hand luggage, each weighing a maximum of 7 kg (17 lbs) with the same dimensions as economy class.
In addition to the specified carry-on baggage allowance in both Economy and Business class, Ethiopian Airlines allows personal accessories. Generally, you can bring snacks and non-liquid food items in your carry-on bag with Ethiopian Airlines, adhering to their specified policies. Ethiopian Airlines, like other airlines, may have restrictions on carrying liquids, gels, and certain hazardous items in carry-on bags, so familiarize yourself with their specific policies.
If your carry-on bag exceeds the specified size or weight limit with Ethiopian Airlines, you may be subject to additional fees, or you may need to check the bag.
Checked Baggage Allowance
Your free check-in baggage allowance is as follows:
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| Class | Piece | Weight per piece | Total Dimension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud 9 | 2 | 32kgs(70Lbs) | 158cms(62 inches) |
| Economy | 2 | 23kgs( 50Lbs) | 158cms(62 inches) |
Any piece in excess of the specified limit above shall be considered as excess and if the weight of the extra baggage or the free baggage allowance is more than 32 kgs (70 Lbs), Ethiopian Airlines will not accept the baggage for carriage.
In addition, items packed in carton boxes, plastic bags, and any other poor packing material are not acceptable for carriage.
Excess Baggage Fees
Easily add extra baggage online with Ethiopian Airlines. Here's a breakdown of excess baggage fees for specific routes:
- Between All International Stations and Domestic Ethiopia: If through-checked to the Domestic Station, an additional USD 20.00 (CAD25.00 - CAD125.00) will apply per piece.
- Flights from Washington D.C (IAD), Chicago (ORD), Newark(EWR), New York (JFK) and Atlanta (ATL) to Addis Ababa and beyond: USD225.00 will apply for each additional piece (bag) weighing up to 23 kgs (50Lbs) on the sectors between all destinations to Washington D.C (IAD), Chicago (ORD), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), Atlanta (ATL) or vice versa.
- Flights from Washington D.C (IAD), Chicago (ORD), Newark(EWR), New York (JFK) and Atlanta (ATL) to Asmara: USD275.00 will apply for each additional piece (bag) weighing up to 23 kgs (50Lbs).
- Passengers originating from USA, outside Washington D.C (IAD), Chicago(ORD), Newark(EWR), New York (JFK) and Atlanta (ATL): Please contact the first carrier for excess baggage information.
- In Economy Class, when the number of pieces is within the free baggage allowance while the weight of the bags is over 23 kgs but less than 32 kgs (51 - 70Lbs): The excess baggage charge will be USD100.00 per each bag.
- Flights from Toronto to Addis Ababa: USD225.00(CAD290.00-CAD390.00) will apply for each additional piece (bag) weighing up to 23 kgs (50Lbs) on the sectors between all destinations to Toronto or vice versa.
- Flights from Toronto to Asmara: USD275.00(CAD355.00-CAD455.00) will apply for each additional piece (bag) weighing up to 23 kgs (50Lbs)
- Passengers originating from Canada, Toronto: The excess baggage rate from origin up to Toronto is already included on the above rate.
- In Economy Class, when the number of pieces is within the free baggage allowance while the weight of the bags is over 23 kgs but less than 32 kgs (51 - 70Lbs): The excess baggage charge will be USD100.00(CAD129.00-CAD229.00) per each bag.
Important Reminders for Passengers
To ensure a smooth travel experience with Ethiopian Airlines, keep the following points in mind:
- Passport Validity: Please make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel date.
- Travel Documents: Ensure you have the necessary visa and transit documents for your destination and any connecting airports.
- Flight Details: Double-check your arrival and departure dates, flight times, and plan to arrive at the airport well in advance to avoid delays.
- Special Meals: If you require a special meal such as vegetarian, fasting, medical, Muslim, or baby food please request it when booking your flight or purchasing your ticket.
- Security: For your own security and the flight’s safety, please do not accept any items from anyone as you will be held responsible and accountable for the contents of any of the items found in your custody. Ensure that your bags remain with you until the time the airline accepts the bags for carriage and also make sure that an object that you don’t know is not placed in the bags.
- Check-in at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport: Check-in process at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport will start three hours before the scheduled time of departure. The Economy class counters will be closed one hour before the scheduled time of departure and the Cloud Nine counters will be closed 45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. Thus, please arrive at the airport before the counters are closed.
- Washington Dulles Airport: To ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience, we strongly recommend that all passengers arrive at Washington Dulles Airport at least 4 hours before departure. This will allow enough time for check-in, queuing, and security clearance.
- Check-in Time: The airline reserves the right to refuse boarding of any passenger arriving at the check-in counter later than two hours prior to departure even if they have confirmed booking and tickets.
As per the customs regulations of the United States of America:
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- Any animal meat (except cooked chicken and fish), fruits, vegetables, plants and soil are strictly forbidden to carry into the USA. We would like to give notice to all passengers, that heavy penalty will be imposed on passengers traveling with the above items. However, red-pepper, powder bean, butter, etc... are allowed to be carried, if they are well packed.
- Passengers traveling into or out of the USA with an amount of money or monetary instruments more than USD10,000.00(CAD12,500.00-13,500.00) are required to declare the amount by filling out customs forms designed for this purpose.
Ethiopian Airlines will not be liable/responsible for any fines and measures passengers encounter for violating customs regulation(s).
Please note that passengers who continue their travel beyond Washington D.C. shall collect their bags, clear customs and pass through security check before going to their connecting flights. Otherwise, the baggage will be left behind until such security clearance is obtained.
Please make sure that you have the address and telephone number of the place that you are going to stay.
Unaccompanied Minors
The following fare shall apply for the transportation of unaccompanied minors on International and domestic routes with company escort.
| NON-CODE SHARE FLIGHT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age group(year) | Applicable Fare | Zone Location To/From ADD | Amount in USD per sector | Company Escort International Route | Domestic route |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 1 Africa | 100 | Optional | Optional |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 2 Middle East | 100 | Optional | Optional |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 3 Europe | 125 | Optional | Optional |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 4 Asia | 150 | Optional | Optional |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 5 North & Latin America | 175 | Optional | Optional |
| 12 to end of 17 Years | Adult Fare | optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Domestic sector | 500 Birr per sector | ||||
Remark: Locations are per Conventional or Natural Geography & not per IATA Geography
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Notes:
- For age group 5 to 11, if an escort is requested: Adult fare + service charges
- For age group 12 to 17, if escort is requested: Adult fare + service charges
Example 1: If a passenger is traveling from Lagos to Chicago, the UMNR charge is USD 100 (LOS-ADD) + USD 175 (ADD-IAD) = Total USD 275
Example 2: If the UM is traveling from CPT to CAI, the UMNR charge is USD 100 (CPT-ADD) + USD 100 (ADD-CAI) = Total USD 200
| CODE SHARE FLIGHT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age group (year) | Applicable Fare | Zone Location to/from ADD | Amount in USD per sector | Company Escort Requirement | Company Escort Fare |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 1 Africa | 100 | Mandatory | One-way adult fare |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 2 Middle East | 100 | Mandatory | One-way adult fare |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 3 Europe | 125 | Mandatory | One-way adult fare |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 4 Asia | 150 | Mandatory | One-way adult fare |
| 5 to end of 11 years | Adult Fare | 5 North & Latin America | 175 | Mandatory | One-way adult fare |
| 12 to end of 17 Years | Adult Fare | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Domestic sector | 500 Birr per sector | ||||
Remark: Locations are per Conventional or Natural Geography & not per IATA Geography
Notes:
- For age group 5 to 11, escort is mandatory.
