Ethiopian AirlinesET

Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia and the largest airline in Africa by passengers carried, destinations served, fleet size, and revenue. Founded on December 21, 1945, by Emperor Haile Selassie following Ethiopia's liberation from Italian occupation, the airline has grown from five Douglas C-47s to a modern fleet of over 130 aircraft including Boeing 787s, Airbus A350s, and Boeing 777s.

Headquartered at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopian serves 155 passenger destinations across 80 countries, including 65 African cities - more than any other airline. As a Star Alliance member since December 2011, Ethiopian connects Africa to the world through its strategic hub in Addis Ababa, which serves as a natural gateway between Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.

Ethiopian is consistently recognized as Africa's best airline, winning Best Airline in Africa at the Skytrax World Airline Awards for eight consecutive years. The airline was the first African carrier to operate the Airbus A350 and continues to modernize with the A350-1000. The company slogan is "The New Spirit of Africa."

Carry-On Allowance

Cabin Bag (included on all fares):

• Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (22" x 16" x 9") including handles and wheels
• Weight: 7 kg (15 lbs) maximum
• Must fit in overhead bin

Personal Item (in addition to cabin bag):

• Examples: Laptop, purse, iPad, phone, books
• Combined weight: 3 kg (7 lbs) maximum
• Must fit under seat in front

Class	Cabin Bag	Personal Item	Total Weight
Economy	1 piece	Yes	7 kg + 3 kg
Business (Cloud Nine)	2 pieces	Yes	14 kg + 3 kg

Checked Baggage

Ethiopian uses the piece concept aligned with IATA standards.

Economy Class:

Fare Type	Pieces	Weight per Piece	Total
Standard Economy	2 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each	46 kg

Business Class (Cloud Nine):

Fare Type	Pieces	Weight per Piece	Total
Business	3 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each	69 kg

Standard Size: 158 cm (62 in) linear maximum (length + width + height)

Infant Baggage

• 1 checked bag up to 23 kg included free
• 1 stroller and 1 car seat transported free

Excess Baggage Fees

Condition	Fee
Additional bag (US routes)	$225 per piece (up to 23 kg)
Overweight (24-32 kg)	$100 per bag
Pre-purchase online	Up to 20% discount

Tip: Always pre-book excess baggage online through Ethiopian's website or the baggage calculator to save significantly versus airport prices.

ShebaMiles Member Bonus Allowance

Status	Weight System Routes	Piece System Routes
Blue	+5 kg	+5 kg
Silver	+15 kg	+1 piece (23 kg)
Gold	+20 kg	+1 piece (32 kg)
Platinum	+32 kg	+2 pieces (23 kg each)

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 bag, max 23 kg
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 bag
Bicycle	Standard bag fee	Must be properly packed
Musical instruments	Standard bag fee	Hard case recommended
Car seat	FREE	Does not count toward allowance
Stroller	FREE	Gate-check available
Wheelchair	FREE
CPAP/medical	FREE	Does not count as carry-on

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at ethiopianairlines.com/baggage-calculator before traveling.

Cloud Nine Business Class

Ethiopian's premium cabin offers lie-flat seats on long-haul aircraft with varying configurations depending on aircraft type.

Airbus A350-900/A350-1000:

• Configuration: 2-2-2 or 1-2-1 (A350-1000)
• Seat type: Safran Optima fully lie-flat seats
• Pitch: 60-72 inches
• Width: 21+ inches
• Screen: 15.4" HD personal entertainment
• Features: Direct aisle access (1-2-1 config), power outlets, USB ports
• A350-1000 offers 1-2-1 "all-aisle" configuration

Boeing 787 Dreamliner:

• Configuration: 2-2-2
• Seat types vary: Collins Aerospace Diamond (fully flat) or Zodiac Aura Lite (angled)
• Note: 10 of 19 787-8s have older angled seats - verify aircraft type when booking
• Screen: 15.4" HD personal entertainment
• Features: Wi-Fi available, power outlets

Boeing 777-300ER:

• Configuration: 2-2-2
• Fully flat beds with 2m length
• Screen: 15.4" HD entertainment

Cloud Nine Amenities:

• Welcome drink and hot towel
• Amenity kit with slippers and toiletries
• Mattress pad and duvet on request
• Multi-course dining with Ethiopian and international cuisine
• Premium wines and champagne
• Priority boarding and baggage handling

Economy Class

Long-haul Aircraft (A350, 787, 777):

• Seat pitch: 31-32 inches (79-81 cm)
• Seat width: 17-18 inches
• Recline: 6 inches
• Entertainment: 10.6" personal seatback screens (A350, 787, 777)
• Power: USB ports at every seat, AC outlets on newer aircraft
• Configuration: 3-3-3 (787, A350) or 3-4-3 (777)

Short-haul Aircraft (737-800):

• Seat pitch: 30-31 inches
• Configuration: 3-3
• Note: No seatback screens on 737 fleet

Entertainment

Ethiopian's in-flight entertainment system offers:

• Hollywood blockbusters and international films
• TV shows and documentaries
• Music library with global and Ethiopian selections
• Games
• Flight tracker
• Content in multiple languages

Wi-Fi (ShebaSkyConnect):

• Available on A350, Boeing 777, and most 787 aircraft
• Business Class: Often complimentary
• Economy pricing: $5/1 hour, $10/2 hours, $25/full flight (approximate)

Dining

All classes receive complimentary meals and beverages including beer, wine, and spirits.

Class	Service
Cloud Nine	Multi-course dining, premium wines, champagne, Ethiopian coffee ceremony
Economy	Full meal service with Ethiopian and international options

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony: Traditional coffee service available in Business Class - a unique cultural experience.

Special Meals: Pre-order dietary requirements (vegetarian, halal, kosher, etc.) at least 24 hours before departure.

Booking

• Book directly on ethiopianairlines.com for best service during disruptions
• Ethiopian offers competitive fares for Africa connections versus Gulf carriers
• Fifth freedom routes available (flights between two non-Ethiopian cities)
• Business Class often well-priced compared to competitors

Africa Connections via Addis Ababa

Ethiopian's greatest strength is its unmatched African network:

• 65+ African destinations - more than any other airline
• Short connection times at ADD (often 1-2 hours)
• Single-ticket connections to smaller African cities not served by other carriers
• Visa-free transit through Ethiopia for many nationalities
• Modern Terminal 2 makes connections seamless

Best for: Travelers to secondary African cities, multi-destination Africa trips, avoiding expensive point-to-point fares

At the Airport

• ADD Terminal 2 is modern but can be crowded - arrive early for US flights (4 hours)
• ShebaMiles Silver and above enjoy lounge access
• Star Alliance Gold members can use Business lounges regardless of cabin
• Currency exchange available but rates better in city

Upgrades

• Paid upgrades occasionally available at check-in
• ShebaMiles status helps with upgrade priority
• Business Class awards often available with good notice

Avoiding Issues

• 7 kg carry-on limit is enforced - pack light or check bags
• Verify your 787 seat type if booking Business Class (some have older angled seats)
• A350-1000 has the newest 1-2-1 Business Class product
• Allow 2+ hours for connections at ADD, especially for US-bound flights

Common Pitfalls

• Don't rely solely on 737 flights for in-flight entertainment (no screens)
• Pre-book excess baggage online for significant savings
• International connections may require re-screening
• Peak African travel seasons (Dec-Jan, Jul-Aug) see high demand

Last updated: January 2025