Ethiopian Airlines A350 Business Class Experience
Picture this: the ungodly hour of the morning when only the keenest of travelers are awake, and there I was, ready to embark on the next leg of my whirlwind tour between Paris and Cairo. I was hopping on Ethiopian Airlines’ A350-900 business class—known as “Cloud Nine” for those in the know. My journey: a bleary-eyed 3-hour-and-40-minute flight from Cairo to Addis Ababa. Years had gone by since my last Ethiopian Airlines escapade, and truth be told, I was buzzing with anticipation.
First Impressions: Navigating the African Skies
So, how did it all pan out, you might ask? Well, if African aviation is the Wild West, Ethiopian Airlines is the sheriff you hope for. Reliable, profitable, and a true global ambassador of Africa’s skies, it was quite a solid flight. The crew was friendly, and the amenities, including breakfast, ticked all the right boxes, allowing for a snippet of sleep between the clouds.
The Ethiopian Experience: Not All Plain Sailing
Yet, not everything glitters with Ethiopian Airlines. The notorious plane swaps are the bane of frequent flyers’ existence. You never quite know what metal tube you’ll end up being whisked away in.
On top of that, the business class product is a bit of a mixed bag, especially when comparing the 787s and A350s. You might find yourself on a flight to the U.S., dreaming in a comfy flatbed, or squished in an angled seat. It’s a bit of a gamble.
How I Booked My Ticket
Cairo, it turns out, is a hotbed for dirt-cheap premium airfare deals, and it’s here where I snagged my business class ticket for a mere $1,034.27. This included a nifty transit hotel in Addis Ababa, courtesy of a layover long enough to read a Val Seny ski resort review twice (if you’re into that sort of thing).
The Route That Was—and Wasn’t
Initially, I was slated to travel from Cairo on a Boeing 787-9, and then hop onto the airline’s latest pride and joy, an Airbus A350-1000, from Addis Ababa to London. However, fate had other plans, and I was instead graced by the presence of not one but two A350-900s for both segments. Airline whims, eh?
Lounge Time & Boarding (With a Dash of Egyptian Drama)
Having swanned in from Rome aboard ITA Airways, I nestled into the Le Meridien to snatch some much-needed shut-eye before sashaying back to Cairo Airport.
In the spotlight of Egyptian TV (without actually meaning to), my airport layover wasn’t the serene chill-out I expected. As an Ethiopian business class passenger, I had a ticket to the EgyptAir Lounge, but I took the scenic route, dawdling through a few Priority Pass lounges. My peculiar choice seemed to raise a few eyebrows.
At Gate G4, I hit a mini snag. Sporting only a mobile boarding pass, I played the waiting game while those with paper credentials trooped through security. Boarding, typical at Cairo, was a mad dash—a survival of the fittest—an Atlanta Black Friday with wings.
Stepping Inside the A350: Cabin & Seats
Warm smiles welcomed me onto the A350, and my seat, 5L by the window, was calling. The cabin followed a 2-2-2 layout, spread across 30 seats, and was thankfully half-empty. Collins Aerospace Diamond seats snugly fit into the cabin’s dimensions, boasting a footwell perched beside the seat ahead.
Despite the expected lack of aisle access and storage, the setup was designed for quick comfort clamber—a neat fit for a regional flight; not so perfect if you’re next to a random stranger on a longer journey.
Amenities & Entertainment: More Than Meets the Eye
Ellies at the ready, Ethiopian Airlines doled out bottled waters and fuzzy towels like a spa in the sky. Pre-departure offerings featured multivitamin orange juice or Victoriously bubbly champagne, poured with flair by the cabin crew.
In-Flight Entertainment & Connectivity
Screens went all Huxley with a handsome 17-inch offering of in-flight entertainment: a smorgasbord of movies, TV shows, and music, all tucked into the seatback.
Skimming Ethiopia’s skies? There’s Wi-Fi at your fingertips, with pricing not dissimilar to buying apps in 2009, ranging from $5 to $25, with options that cross-dress onto connecting flights.
In the Air: Departure from Cairo
Clearing for takeoff, these were the notes I scribbled from beneath my blanket: addictive boarding melodies and an affable crew combatting phantom upgraders left and right. Despite the high jinks, we taxied smoothly and took to the starry, sleep-baiting skies just before the crack of dawn.
Sky-High Dining: Breakfast Fare
With the Ethiopian menu rolled out, I took the plunge with ful medames—a hearty portion of beans, tomato, and bread, accompanied by cereal and the obligatory airplane muffin. Washed down with an ill-advised but irresistible coffee-champagne combo, it was a hit.
Tucking In: Business Class Bed
After breakfast, I reclined into a blissful horizontal hush—a patchwork of pillows fortifying my snooze for a solid two hours.
The Peculiarities: A Call Button Conundrum
Believe it or not, the call button serenade kept chiming like an internal memo in a dilapidated office—frequently, numerous times. A mystery as profound as any Scooby-Doo episode.
Touchdown in Addis Ababa
As the sun laid bare its beauty on Addis Ababa, we descended into the city. This meant a quick bus dip to the terminal, providing an Instagram-worthy airport aircraft overview—a noteworthy view if you enjoy airport architecture.
Once jostled off the remote stand, I made my way to the transit desk, my layover patiently waiting.
Final Thought: The Ethiopian Business Experience
Overall, Ethiopian Airlines ensures a cozy trip for its daily flyers. The A350 seats, given loneliness by their neighborly unoccupancy, were plush and welcoming on a regional route.
Amenity kits, food, and the crew’s spirit all held up their bargain well. The truth? Ethiopian isn’t rewriting aviation books, but it holds its own firmly in the market—a chalk line away from greatness marred by a tendency for unpredictable plane swaps.
What do you think of Ethiopian Airlines’ A350 Business Class?