Has anyone any experience of flying with Ethiopian Airlines?

[Sika98k]

Hi all,
Has anyone any experience of flying with Ethiopian Airlines ? I am looking to next years trip to Namibia. The last trips have been with SAA through London Heathrow and Oliver Tambo.
With Ethiopian Airlines there is only one stopover at Addis Abba. These days the less security checkpoints I have to endure the better. The flights are also attractively priced !
So just wondering if there is any history of grief or lengthy paperwork? I have to admit that firearms on SAA is somewhat of a doddle.

 

[Hank2211]

I flew Ethiopian last November from Frankfurt to Addis (the last leg of a Calgary to Frankfurt Air Canada flight) and then Addis to Calgary via Frankfurt back.

I had tried to get in touch with them before the flight to find out what their requirements were, but never got a real answer. That may be because they seemed to have no particular requirements. I checked through to Addis and nothing happened on the way over, and while I had some minor issues with security in Addis, I had no issues checking the firearm on Ethiopian on the way back.

So all good when I did it.

 

[mdwest]

The direct flight from Dulles to Addis is great on Ethiopian... 787 Dreamliner... nice cabin.. good service..

I haven't flown with a firearm on Ethiopian before though.. so no idea what to expect there

 

[cpr0312]

Ethiopian is a legit airline. The 787 flight is a nice newer plane, I was pleasantly surprised when I flew with them in 2014, no experience with a firearm to share however. The only downside in my opinion is the addas Ababa airport, a lot left to be desired.

 

[CAustin]

Well sounds like you have your answer!

 

[cls]

Good day, just my 2 bits here. I flew Ethiopian to Zambia in August and would never fly with them again. I paid for an upgrade to business class on my return flight but because our flight from Lusaka to Addis Ababa was delayed they resold our seats and we were relegated to economy I am still waiting for my refund of $2500(30 days). No answers from customer service or any of the higher ups that I have tried to contact. The flight crew in economy is over worked and a sad lot, my wife sat beside a guy that was air sick the entire flight and the crew just ignored him, the passengers around him had to give him their airsick bags and gravol. It took 2 hrs to get a simple drink of water. Steer clear of the food. Here is a picture of lunch.

The terminal in Addis Ababa is a crap hole, I have traveled extensively and this terminal is the worst I have ever been in. I hope your stop over is short and good luck with security. I would pay extra to fly with any other airline.
Again this is just my 2 cents worth.

 

[LivingTheDream]

The airport is weird, lol. I didn't think it was that bad. The flight went well for me and I would travel with them again. I flew economy to and first class on the way back. I bought some pot belly sandwiches at Dulles and took them with me for food. Overall I would fly with them again, I thought they were about the same as South African Airlines for what it is worth.

 

[RBurg44]

The airport is weird, lol. I didn't think it was that bad. The flight went well for me and I would travel with them again. I flew economy to and first class on the way back. I bought some pot belly sandwiches at Dulles and took them with me for food. Overall I would fly with them again, I thought they were about the same as South African Airlines for what it is worth.

@LivingTheDream did you fly with guns? This route looks good for me from dulles as well just wondering if the 1hr and 20min layover is doable with guns..

 

[Hogpatrol]

Year old thread

 

[RBurg44]

Year old thread

@Hogpatrol So what! still a relevant question. He still posts on here. No need to post with stupid comments like yours that are completely useless on this topic.

 

[cls]

80 minutes is definitely not enough time even to make your connection. Addis Ababa airport is a crap hole. I personally would never fly with them again.

@LivingTheDream did you fly with guns? This route looks good for me from dulles as well just wondering if the 1hr and 20min layover is doable with guns..

 

[LivingTheDream]

@RBurg44 So yes and no. The airport is not big. There will be an additional security check which shouldn't be a problem but it does not move fast. Honestly, it's more than enough time.

So here is why I also say no. On the way back (not the way there), I was pulled out of the airport and taken underneath the airport into the cargo area so they could inspect my gun. They counted every bullet and wanted to see my "permit" in America. This happened about an hour before my flight was scheduled to take off, and upon leaving I asked the head security guy if I and my gun were going to make the flight, he assured me that there is nothing he wanted more than to have me and my gun on that plane.

I have heard others have this issue as well. It doesnt bother me, bit of a pain more than anything. PM me if you want to discuss your route. Also, dont think @Hogpatrol meant anything by his post, he is a good guy and helped me out before.

 

[LivingTheDream]

@cls Yeah it is pretty crappy but it isnt a big airport. I wouldn't get any food there.

 

[Hogpatrol]

@Hogpatrol So what! still a relevant question. He still posts on here. No need to post with stupid comments like yours that are completely useless on this topic.

Alot has happened with Ethiopian Airlines since the original thread. Whether or not that's relevant to you, it's your call. Me? Knowing their pilot qualifications, I wouldn't take a free ticket on any of their routes. YMMV.

 

[cls]

Well @LivingTheDream I guess my experience was definitely a lot different than yours. A fellow hunter spent 2 days in Addis on his way to Namibia because they thought his paper work wasn't in order, all they wanted was money to get out of security with his firearms. My wife and I were bumped from business class when our flight from Lusaka was late by a 1/2 hr, but still 2 hrs before the connecting flight. We were split up in middle seats for the 14 hr flight home. Took me four months to be reimbursed for the business class seats and that was through AMEX and not Ethiopian airlines, they refused. Piss poor excuse for an airline.

 

[LivingTheDream]

@cls that sucks. Honestly, there are alot better airlines going to Africa now. I am flying Qatar in 2 weeks and will report back.

 

[RBurg44]

@LivingTheDream ill be very interested in your qatar flight just hate the long layover!

 

[Areaonereal]

Please....share your Qatar flight experience.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

@cls that sucks. Honestly, there are alot better airlines going to Africa now. I am flying Qatar in 2 weeks and will report back.

Will like to here your report on Qatar. I have 2020 trip booked with them

 

[Countrylife]

I flew qatar in April 2018 without guns and in business class. Very impressed with the airline. The layover is long, but the business class lounge is very nice. I'd fly with them again. As for travel with guns - I'm interested in someone's first hand experience, I've only heard 2nd hand that it's not a problem.