- Ethiopian Airlines was voted best airline in Africa in the Oscars of Aviation
- From June it’ll fly thrice-weekly from the UK to the Okavango Delta gateway
- Carmen Roberts climbs aboard an A350 with her phone in camera mode
- She puts the carrier’s Cloud9 business class to the test. Read on for the verdict
- Would YOU be tempted to fly Ethiopian Airlines? Vote in our poll below…
- READ MORE: These are the historical gems Britons MUST visit, says historian
Ethiopian Airlines isn’t often put under the spotlight, but its time has come.
It’s now the largest African airline and was voted best airline in Africa for 2023 in the Oscars of Aviation.
What’s more, the carrier can facilitate wild times, with a vast network that travellers in America and Europe can use to reach safari destinations, such as Maun in Botswana, the jumping-off point for safaris in the Okavango Delta.
As of 9 June, it’ll be flying thrice-weekly from London Heathrow to Maun and twice weekly from Manchester, via Addis Ababa.
With my phone in video mode, I put Ethiopian Airlines’ Cloud9 business class to the test on a flight from Heathrow to Addis Ababa. My onward destination was Gaborone in Botswana for a conference, and no, the airline didn’t know it was under scrutiny.
I couldn’t fault the initial airport experience.
I breezed past check-in having done it online, then whizzed through Heathrow’s Terminal 2 fast-track security lanes offered to Star Alliance premium passengers with my hand luggage in tow.
(Yes, that’s right, I flew to Africa for a week, with only hand luggage.)
There’s a plethora of Star Alliance lounge options at Heathrow, including Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris Lounge, Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge as well as the Lufthansa Lounge, but I opted for the United Club for a glass of Champagne at the extensive bar overlooking the runway.
My overnight flight to Addis Ababa was on the Airbus A350 plane. Cloud9 business class features 30 seats in a 1-2-1 seat configuration, allowing all passengers aisle access.
The newer Safran Optima seats have a luxurious feel, despite the garish red and green upholstery in Ethiopian’s signature colours.
The cabin layout is staggered, so try and book an even numbered seat if you want to be closer to the window for that little bit more privacy.
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On my seat was a fully stocked amenities kit – packed with a hairbrush, toothbrush and generous sized Colgate toothpaste, socks, eye mask, lip balm, ear plugs and hand sanitiser. I could overlook the extensive plastic wrapping and bright green polyester case, as the contents made up for its less-than-luxurious exterior.
The seat itself was spacious with generous legroom as well as a deep footwell.
It measures 79in (200cm) when the seat is fully reclined and 21in (53cm) wide.
The TV screen was also sizeable – 17in (43cm).
The headphones were fairly basic for business class, but on an overnight flight I was happy to sleep after the obligatory five-course meal service.
Now, I’d heard a few complaints about the lengthy meal service, especially on overnight flights, but I was keen to try the traditional Ethiopian dishes on offer.
If you’ve been to Ethiopia you’ll be salivating at the mere thought.
I was therefore disappointed to learn that I’d have to wait for my onward flight to Gaborone to enjoy these delights.
The meal options were bland by comparison. I had a beef pastrami salad, skipped the soup and indulged in the Chicken Milanese, a nod to the Italian influence in Ethiopia.
After the meal service, I converted my spacious seat to a fully flat bed. The seat widens out towards the middle to accommodate side sleepers and the electronic controls were responsive. Although there was no door or screen, the cocoon-shaped seats gave it a more private feel.
Overall, the experience was comfortable enough, and I slept well beneath the bright green, light duvet. Although, I would have liked a seat topper for a more cosy bed-like feel.
On the whole, I couldn’t fault the Ethiopian Airlines’ staff and their friendly, helpful demeanour. The seats were comfortable and comparable to other mainstream international airlines, especially if you are travelling on the newer A350 plane.
If you’re venturing to Africa, I’d recommend flying Ethiopian, as its network is vast – spanning more than 60 destinations on the continent and counting.
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