It’s won awards, it’s the largest airline in Africa, and it offers one of the quickest and most direct routes to the continent compared to flying via the Middle East — with competitive fares too. But what’s it actually like to fly with Ethiopian Airlines?
I first flew with Ethiopian back in c1998, on a trip to Ethiopia. That journey didn’t end so well — I spent the return flight curled up on the floor at the back of business class after a nasty bout of food poisoning (from a curry house in Addis), eventually being laid out on a table in customs at Heathrow!
Thankfully, my recent flight to Tanzania with Ethiopian was far less dramatic. Here’s an honest review of the experience.
Route & Connections – Africa’s Largest Airline
One of Ethiopian Airlines’ biggest strengths is its extensive African network. While many travellers associate the airline with routes to East Africa — particularly Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania — Ethiopian Airlines actually offers excellent connections across East, Central, Southern, and West Africa.
The airline is the largest in Africa in terms of passengers carried, destinations served, fleet size, and revenue. It flies to over 60 African destinations across 40 countries and serves 136 international destinations globally. In fact, it’s the fourth-largest airline in the world by the number of countries served, with a fleet of more than 150 aircraft (for comparison, EgyptAir has around 70).
The result? It’s one of the fastest and most straightforward ways to reach many parts of Africa not served by direct flights from the UK and Europe, in comparison to flying via gateways in the Middle East for instance.
My Experience: London to Tanzania via Addis Ababa
For this journey, I flew from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD).
The outbound flight departed London at 20:15. The connection in Addis was tight but efficient — we had just 1 hour 20 minutes to transit, so it was a case of moving quickly through the terminal. Be aware that there are several layers of security checks in Addis Ababa, which can make the process a bit stressful and time-consuming.
By this point – you’re almost there! The onward hop from Addis to Kilimanjaro was a short 2-hour flight, arriving mid-morning at 10:40am — perfect timing for easy transfers to safari camps or elsewhere.
The Addis Ababa Stopover
On the return leg, we faced a longer layover and opted for the free overnight stopover offered by Ethiopian Airlines for long connections. It’s worth noting that the accommodation is allocated at the airport after you clear immigration, and standards vary widely.
We were placed in a pretty basic guesthouse, a 10–15 minute drive away by minibus. The transfer itself was an experience — crammed into a packed minibus for a slightly hair-raising ride! Amusingly, the backpackers next to us in line were assigned to the Hilton — it really is luck of the draw.
That said, we did get a bed and some sleep, and probably arrived back in London more rested than if we’d taken a overnight flight straight through.
Onboard Experience
The flights were very busy — every sector was completely full, and almost everyone seemed to have a lot of cabin baggage.
The cabin crew were friendly and efficient throughout. For the long-haul Addis–London leg, we booked the two seats at the back of the aircraft, which offered a little more space and privacy than being squeezed into rows of three or four. The seats did recline in this row (which sometimes they don’t).
Food & Entertainment
The food was fairly average. The main service was exactly the same on both long-haul legs — a choice of chicken curry with rice or beef casserole with mashed potato, along with an unidentifiable pink pudding. A bar service was offered with wine, beer, and soft drinks, followed by tea and coffee.
Breakfast was disappointing — a choice of “egg” or “pancake,” though neither resembled the description so don’t get too excited when you hear pancake.
In-flight entertainment was limited compared to larger international carriers, with a small selection of recent releases and world cinema. It’s definitely worth downloading your own content in advance if you want to stay entertained.
Important Things to Know
If you are connecting via Addis Ababa, you will need to show proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination on arrival at your final destination — even if you’ve only transited briefly in Ethiopia. This requirement is strictly enforced, and certificates are checked before immigration in countries like Tanzania.
Final Verdict – Is Ethiopian Airlines a Good Choice?
If you’re looking for a reliable, cost-effective, and quick route to Africa, Ethiopian Airlines is a solid choice. Its impressive network, regular flights, and free stopover accommodation make it a practical option for reaching both East and Southern Africa.
Image: Bornil Amin Unsplash
