Overview

Ethiopian Airlines offers one of the best-value business-class experiences in Star Alliance. Here’s what sets them apart:

• Great redemption value — far cheaper in points than most major carriers
• True business-class product — pods on most long-hauls, lie-flats on the rest
• Surprisingly easy layovers in Addis with fast-track lanes and premium services
• Cultural touches (Ethiopian food course, coffee ceremony) you won’t get anywhere else
• Free 5-star hotel for long layovers or delays — even for economy passengers
• Reliable, comfortable, no-frills but fully legitimate business class

In short: full business experience, half the price, unique cultural warmth, and much better than its online reputation.

Now onto the full review.

---

Myths

Matt and I traveled to/from South Africa on Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian has a middling reputation among travel bloggers and influencers because of the following:

1. Addis Ababa Airport is “hell for transiting”
2. Not all business class planes have pods
3. The flight attendants “aren’t as proactive as Asian airlines”
4. The lounges are “mediocre”

Before we get to the review, let’s dissect why these complaints are misguided.

---

Debunking the Common Complaints

1. “Addis Ababa Airport is hell for transiting.”

Because Newark, O’Hare, Heathrow, and JFK are all luxurious spas? Said no one ever.

It’s always interesting (and often rooted in bias) that Addis gets singled out, while people gladly fly through Atlanta without blinking. Addis is busy, but perfectly manageable — especially in business class.

---

2. “Not all their business class planes have pods.”

Neither do:

• Lufthansa
• Swiss
• Delta
• Austrian
• LOT
• LATAM
• and many more

This is not an Ethiopian problem — this is an aviation problem.
And 3 out of our 4 flights did have pods.

---

3. “The flight attendants aren’t as proactive as Asian airlines.”

Asian carriers are in their own category. Comparing every airline to Singapore Airlines is unfair — especially when on U.S. carriers I’ve seen business-class flight attendants scrolling on their phones.

Ethiopian service was perfectly fine: pleasant, efficient, understated.

---

4. “The lounges are mediocre.”

So are most United lounges. Let’s be realistic.

---

How We Booked

Ethiopian Airlines is part of Star Alliance. United and Air Canada both offer good business-class redemptions.

• We used United miles for our outbound flights
• We transferred Capital One points to Air Canada for our return

Total cost: roughly $2,000 in points for 44 hours of business class.
Value like that barely exists anymore.

---

Airport Experience

Priority check-in at Dulles and Johannesburg made everything easy. In Addis, the fast-track lane for transit security made the entire process smooth — not chaotic, not stressful.

---

Seats

Despite the reputation, Ethiopian delivered:

• Pods on 3 of 4 long-hauls
• Lie-flat 2-2-2 on our shortest long-haul (still 5 hours)

Seat tech isn’t hyper-modern but entirely functional:

• lots of movies
• chargers
• plenty of space
• comfortable sleeping

We slept well. That’s what matters.

---

Amenity Kit & Bedding

Standard amenity kit — comparable to the big legacy airlines.
Pajamas were a nice surprise.
Bedding slightly below top-tier competitors, but comfortable enough that both of us slept soundly.

---

The Food

This is where Ethiopian shines.

On ultra-long flights we received three full meals, and the standout was the Ethiopian tasting course:

• spicy chicken
• spicy beef
• lentils
• breads

It’s possibly the best food I’ve ever had on a plane. It’s a meaningful cultural touch that makes the airline feel distinct and memorable.

---

Transiting in Ethiopia

This is the part people fear, but shouldn’t.

Addis is crowded, yes — but no worse than any major global hub. And Ethiopian makes the experience significantly easier for premium passengers:

• fast-track security
• large business lounge
• dedicated boarding areas

Most importantly:

The Free Skylight Hotel

If you have:

• a long layover (8+ hours)
• or a disruption

Ethiopian provides a complimentary 5-star hotel room, meals, and transport — even in economy.

No U.S. airline would dream of offering this.

---

The Sheba Lounge

The business-class Sheba Lounge gets busy, but we always found seats.
Highlights include:

• ample hot food
• great views of Addis
• the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, which was exceptional

It’s a genuinely enjoyable cultural moment that sets this airline apart.

---

Overall

Matt and I would not hesitate to fly Ethiopian Airlines again.

Their business class is:

• comfortable
• reliable
• culturally rich
• excellent value
• and far more pleasant than its internet reputation suggests

For half the price (or miles) of many major airlines, you get the full long-haul business experience.

Bon Voyage,
Andrew

Fora Travel Advisor

Website: https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/andrew-reiser

Instagram: @areiser86

Signup for my newsletter: Sign up for my Travel Newsletter – Out And Abroad (out-abroad.com)