For the second to final phase of my fast journey to Paris and Cairo, I flew Ethiopian Airways’ A350-900 enterprise class on the 7hr35min flight from Addis Ababa (ADD) to London (LHR). I gained’t be reviewing this flight in full, however did wish to share some ideas on the expertise.
Why I’m not absolutely reviewing my Ethiopian flight
That is my full journey report collection (slightly than my preliminary impressions publish that I publish throughout my journeys), so why am I not reviewing this flight in full? Effectively, in a earlier installment, I reviewed my Ethiopian A350 enterprise class flight from Cairo to Addis Ababa.
Lengthy story quick, so most of the issues concerning the flights have been the identical — my flights have been operated by precisely the identical plane (like, not simply the identical sort of aircraft, however the identical tail quantity), and the menus have been even very comparable. So there’s no level in principally writing the identical factor over.
It wasn’t imagined to be that means — initially my itinerary was imagined to be operated by a Boeing 787-9 on the primary phase and an Airbus A350-1000 on the second phase. However Ethiopian is infamous for aircraft swaps, and each of my flights acquired swapped to the A350-900. So on this publish, I simply wish to hit on a couple of key takeaways from this expertise.
Even London isn’t protected from Ethiopian aircraft swaps
Ethiopian Airways aircraft swaps are likely to occur in one among two methods:
- On regional flights (the place the crew works the outbound and inbound flight as a flip), it’s frequent to see full adjustments to gear, like a 737 being swapped for a 777, a 787 being swapped for an A350, and many others.
- On lengthy haul flights (the place the crew has a layover), you might discover swaps between particular configurations, however much less so between plane sorts; possibly you’ll go from an A350-1000 to an A350-900, or possibly you’ll go from an A350-900 with one cabin format, to an A350-900 with one other sort of cabin format
Ethiopian has a wide range of enterprise class seats, and London Heathrow is meant to be one of many locations to which the airline most persistently affords its A350 enterprise class with direct aisle entry. Nonetheless, even that isn’t very constant.
As a substitute of getting the 1-2-1 configuration I hoped for, the airline as a substitute had the 2-2-2 enterprise class configuration on this flight. Paradoxically, the A350-900 with the higher configuration flew to London Gatwick, which is ostensibly a much less premium vacation spot (at the very least so far as nearly any airline is worried), and which usually doesn’t get that higher format.
Ethiopian’s incremental lengthy haul facilities
On my flight from Cairo to Addis Ababa, I used to be impressed {that a} full set of bedding was provided, together with headphones.
So, what was totally different on this longer route? Effectively, every enterprise class passenger was additionally given an amenity package.
On prime of that, enterprise class passengers have been offered free Wi-Fi. Oddly this got here within the type of a bit of code written on a fortune cookie sized piece of paper. Don’t get me flawed, I’m delighted the airline affords free Wi-Fi, however is that this actually the way in which the airline formally goes about it? Like, crews are instructed to tear up items of paper and handwrite the codes?
Ethiopian’s meals choice is okay however boring
My flight was departing at 1:35AM and arriving at 6:35AM, so I used to be curious to see what inflight service could be like. Admittedly flights timed like this may be tough, since many passengers wish to maximize their relaxation. On the similar time, a overwhelming majority of Ethiopian passengers are connecting, and lots of have physique clocks on totally different schedules.
I hadn’t flown Ethiopian enterprise class in a couple of decade, however one factor I fondly keep in mind from my final flight is the scrumptious Ethiopian meals that was served. Effectively, sadly there was none of that on this flight.
After takeoff, there was a lightweight snack service, which simply felt sort of random to me. You had every little thing from “Mexican” rooster soup, to calzones, to salads. There was nothing even remotely Ethiopian on the menu.
I made a decision to order the celery cauliflower soup and vegetable calzone, and had a negroni to drink. I used to be impressed that the negroni was a drink on the menu, although the execution left a bit to be desired.
On the conclusion of the meal, the flight attendant simply proactively introduced me all of the dessert choices, heh. This included a cheese plate, fruit, and two small cake slices.
Round 90 minutes earlier than touchdown, breakfast was served, and you will discover the menu under.
Since I had ful medames on the earlier flight, I made a decision to go for a extra western choice this time round, and selected what was described as “chives baked egg with beef sausage, broccoli, and hash brown.” I don’t assume that’s precisely what I acquired. As a substitute I acquired little egg bites with salsa, potatoes, and sausage. This was served with a facet of cereal, fruit, and a croissant, plus some espresso.
I consider Ethiopian solely has the total Ethiopian eating expertise on both extremely lengthy haul flights, or those who function throughout the day.
Backside line
In the end I used to be disillusioned by my Ethiopian Airways aircraft swap, however that’s largely me talking as somebody who evaluations airways and likes to strive totally different merchandise, slightly than there being something flawed with the flight as such. Regardless that I do know that Ethiopian tries to prioritize its finest enterprise class product on the London route, that doesn’t at all times occur.
The flight was completely fantastic — it wasn’t nice, and it wasn’t horrible both. The crew was nicely intentioned and pleasant, and the meal service was environment friendly, although not terribly inspiring in any other case. Clearly I deliberately saved this quick, so for extra particulars, see my full assessment of Ethiopian’s A350 enterprise class on the earlier flight.
What’s your tackle Ethiopian Airways’ service on an in a single day flight like this?
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