Flight Review: Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787

Bucket List Traveler
a large white airplane with red writing on it
an airplane at an airport
Ethiopian Airlines 787 at Addis Ababa (ADD)

Introduction

Travel within Africa likely involves flying on either Ethiopian Airlines or South Africa Airways.  Based out of Addis Ababa, the airline operates several long haul aircraft such as the 787, 777, and A350.

While most flights going between the US and Africa traverse either Europe or the Middle East, Ethiopian Airlines has a couple routes that fly directly from Africa to the US.  For this flight, I flew from Addis Ababa (ADD) to Newark (EWR) with a quick refueling in the Ivory Coast (ABJ), making the entire flight over 17 hours long.

a plane with seats and windows
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787 Cabin

Booking

Ethiopian Airlines is a Star Alliance member, so award flights can be booked using miles from other Star Alliance members such as United.

For this flight award booking, I used 78,000 LifeMiles to reserve a business class seat.   LifeMiles can be earned by signing up for the Avianca LifeMiles credit card, transferring Citi Thank You points, or purchasing LifeMiles.

a screenshot of a computer
Life Miles Award Search
a close up of a plane
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787

Flight

Ethiopian Airlines 512
Addis Ababa (ADD) to Newark (EWR)
Cabin: Business
Seat:  3J and 3L
Aircraft: 787-8
Flight Time: 17h 30m
Distance: 7,893 mi
a map of the world
Flight Route from ADD to ABJ
a map of the earth
Flight Route from ABJ to EWR
an aerial view of a city
View of Ethiopia

Lounge

The lounge at Addis Ababa is large and has plenty of tasty food options, especially if you like Ethiopian food.  During peak travel times, it can be loud since there is no ceiling to block out noise from outside of the lounge.  There are plenty of power outlets at most of the seats.

The bathrooms looked hastily constructed and had mosquitoes in it, however it was frequently cleaned.  Every ten minutes or so the staff would walk around screaming which flights were boarding.  If you are hoping to take a nap, don’t count on it will all the screaming.

a room with chairs and art pieces
Addis Ababa Business Class Lounge
a room with red chairs and tables
Addis Ababa Business Class Lounge
a room with chairs and tables
Bar Area in Ethiopian Business Class Lounge

Boarding (5/5)

A separate line was available for business class passengers, however going through security had no separate line.  Business class passengers were able to board first which was appreciated since this doesn’t always happen.

a close up of an airplane engine
787 GE Engine

Plane Atmosphere (4/5)

Since this was a 787, the noise level, air pressure, and humidity control were all ideal compared to the 777.  Passengers close to the windows had air vents in the ceiling which are key if you get hot easily.  Passengers in the center of the plane do not have any air vents.   The business class cabin felt a bit smaller than the A350 due to the luggage bins in the center of the ceiling.

a seat on an airplane
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787 Cabin
a row of seats with monitors on the side
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787 Cabin
an airplane with seats and a bed
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787 Cabin

One thing I like about the window dimmers on the 787 is that gives the crew the ability to dim all the windows at once.  This is great when you are trying to sleep and some genius wants to keep open their one and only window shade which practically blinds everyone in the cabin.

a window of an airplane
All three windows dimmed at the same time
a circular object with a hole in it
787 Window Dimmer Buttons
a sink and toilet in a plane
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787 Bathroom

Seat (3/5)

There is nothing more annoying than an angled lie-flat seat in business class.  I assumed that airlines figured out how to avoid such arrangements last decade but apparently Ethiopian Airlines did not get the memo for their 787s.   Their A350s and 777s are fully lie-flat so I was surprised to see angled seats.

Also, there was almost no leg room in comparison to the South African Airways Business Class seat.  When the seat was reclined, my feet had to be crammed into the small foot well area and legs had to be bent.  For a 17 hour flight, I would have expected a much more comfortable seat in business class.

Despite the uncomfortable seat, I was able to sleep for a good eight hours straight.  I attribute this the massive food coma I received from all the food I ate.

a seat in an airplane
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787 Seat
a row of screens on a plane
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787 Entertainment Screens
a person's legs in yellow socks
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787 Legroom
a close up of a light
Reading Lights
a close up of a control panel
Center table and seat controls
a close up of a control panel
Seat Controls Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787
a picture of a landscape on a wall
Entertainment screen was smaller and had less resolution than the Ethiopian Airlines A350
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Entertainment System Controller
a pair of headphones on a grey surface
Noise Cancelling Headphones
a close up of a plug
Universal Power Adapter and USB Port

Food (5/5)

The food was very good on the flight from ADD to EWR.  Before the main course is served, a buffet of Ethiopian dishes are carted around first.  I asked for one of everything and found them all very delicious.  There was so much food that it is impossible to go hungry on this flight.   Ethiopian wine is also offered on board which was just okay.

a bowl of cereal and a glass of wine on a tray
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Snacks
a plate of food on a table
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Appetizer
a plate of food on a white surface
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Ethiopian Food Offered Before Main Course
a plate of rice and vegetables
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Main Course
a menu of a restaurant
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Menu
a white box with a blue ribbon
Chocolates

Service (4/5)

Staff was friendly and polite, however in my experience they could not understand English well.  Maybe it was my American accent.  My food order got messed up and in hindsight, I should have just pointed to the menu to avoid confusion.

a glass of champagne on a table
Welcome Drink
a yellow bag and other items on a table
Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Amenity Kit

Refueling was required in ABJ before proceeding to EWR.   Some passengers deplaned while others boarded.  Those continuing on to EWR remained aboard the plane.  While the plane was refueling, staff thoroughly cleaned the cabin and customs personnel inspected baggage and seats.

a man standing in an airplane
Refueling in Abidjan took about 90 minutes

Departing

Business class passengers were able to deplane first and the walk to passport control only took a few minutes.  For those with Global Entry, going through passport control and customs is a breeze.

What was awful was staring at the baggage claim belt for over an hour until the luggage arrived.  This appears to be due to Ethiopian not prioritizing business class luggage and Newark Airport being generally slow with baggage handling.   Kind of sad that Zimbabwe can manage to get luggage to passengers in 10 minutes while in Newark it takes 70 minutes.

a plane parked at an airport
Ethiopian Airlines 787 at Newark Airport
a metal luggage belt at an airport
My view for 70 minutes at baggage claim in Newark

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ethiopian Airlines operates several long haul aircraft with the 787 not being the best option.  Reduced legroom, angled lie-flat seats, and smaller entertainment screens make the 787 inferior to the A350 that Ethiopian Airlines operates.

Without a doubt, business class seats on a 17 hour flight should be much more comfortable.  However, for those dedicated to Star Alliance partners, there really aren’t too many alternatives to choose from if flying from East Africa.  Either way, any option available to fly business class using miles for such a long flight is a great thing.

a road with white arrows on it
Runway in Ethiopia

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5 comments
  1. I am confused I am a Star Alliance person and I fly to Kenya/Tanzania regularly for work and have no problem finding flights on Lufthansa or Swiss connecting from Europe. Were you perhaps saying that there a few options to get directly to East Africa from the US? Thank you for the thorough review. I will make sure to avoid the 787 in this case!

  2. Sincere thanks to every contributor on TAVELUPDATE! You have opened up my horizons to new travel experiences, from the stories below, to a luxurious year on a free Hilton HONORS Gold, and some outstanding local and international experiences. I need to mention 2 outstanding stays in Dubai next time.

    I was a dedicated Dubai-based Emirates Skywards traveler for 17 years using economy with miles upgrades. However I discovered at least three major airlines that cover all my routes, where it is CHEAPER to fly business than economy on Emirates! I have now completed three international trips on them saving over US$500 combined, flying business instead of EK economy. Ethiopian were my first two trips ans I was extremely happy with everything. The crew were outstanding and treat you like family! The food service is better than Emirates in quantity. You can try all the choices, and they even offered me extras. You are right, you could never be hungry on Ethiopian. I remember how many times I felt hungry in Emirates business! Offering a cup of noodles as a snack in Emirates business is insulting! Okay I don’t get chauffer drive, or an EK standard amenities kit. I get a smaller screen with less entertainment options, and an hour or so change of planes but I am happier! And WOW, I can take 3 x 30kg baggage! Can anyone beat that? I save a lot of money AND get to fly business without using miles to upgrade. I do get great personal treatment and the business cabin is more spacious than Emirates 777. On a 777 to Zanzibar I checked economy seats and they had 10, yes 10cm more legroom and a bigger recline. This was not the same on their Dreamliners though. I much prefer the business setup and seating in their 777 and it is the longest and most comfortable lay flat bed I have ever seen. Star Alliance is a plus.

    However I also discovered the new revamped Saudia in July. That’s a big WOW, beats Emirates hands down on food quality and quantity, almost double the standard. Cabin excellent 2-2-2, great crew, great service. Cancelled my economy Emirates ticket (after they rescheduled and offered no support for the inconvenience) and took Saudia business and saved over US$300 on one flight! Only downside is their lounge in Jeddah. Have booked them 12 months ahead again so very happy. Keeping with Skyteam, I changed my December flight to Kenyan business to get Skyteam miles and it looks like I will get Gold next year. It has been impossible to get Gold on Emirates since I lost it 11 years ago, but flying almost the same routes with Skyteam I should now earn it.

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