Review: Ethiopian B787 Business Class, Addis Ababa to Stockholm

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Review: Ethiopian B787 Business Class, Addis Ababa to Stockholm

Ethiopian Boeing 787 Business Class cabin, Addis Ababa to Stockholm


Video Review from my YouTube Channel πŸ“ΊπŸ“Ί


Flight: ET714
Date of flight: September 28, 2017
Departure time in Addis Ababa (ADD): 23:55
Arrival time in Stockholm (ARN): 6:18 (+1) early 22mins
Aircraft: Boeing 787
Seat: 4D
Duration: 7h 23min
*Revenue Ticket, Business Class flight #135

Gold Track

We left the Ethiopian Cloud Nine Lounge before 11pm and headed to the Gold Track but unfortunately, there was a long queue and it seemed the normal security check went faster than ours πŸ‘Ž

We totally forgot to go direct to gate 10A (the lounge agent wrote it on our boarding passes upon arriving in the lounge) where business class passengers where supposed to wait for their boarding so upon reaching Gate 6, we were accommodated with the regular bus together with the economy class passengers.

Economy class passengers' bus to the aircraft

Ethiopian B787 Rolls Royce engine

On the other hand, we arrived early as the business class passengers came about 10 minutes after we arrived πŸ˜‰

Aircraft, Boeing 787

Ethiopian Boeing 787 named "Melse"

Cabin

Although this is a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, it is not exactly the same seats we got on the outbound as these seats are slightly better as there is an ottoman while the other one didn't. Otherwise, the configuration is the same which is 2-2-2.

Seat, 2A

My seat, 2A was a window seat

Personal screen

Headphones and IFE controls

Table

USB outlets, power outlet and a bottle of mineral water

Privacy divider

Reading lamp and seat controls

IFE controls and magazine rack

Window shades control

Ethiopian business class blanket

The amenity kit consisted of a toothbrush/toothpaste, socks and eye shades which is more like economy class πŸ‘Ž

Moments after settling in, we were offered some newspapers which was followed by the predeparture drinks. There was a choice between orange juice and a glass of champagne.

A glass of bubbly to start the flight is not that bad πŸ˜‰

Airshow enroute to Stockholm

The captain came on the PA to welcome us onboard and to give us some flight infos including our flight time of 6 hours and 50 minutes.

The inflight safety video was played after 12 midnight which was followed by the distribution of the menu cards.

Take off was around 12:15am.

Dining

Ethiopian business class menu card and breakfast form

A few minutes after the seatbelt sign was turned off, the crew started with the meal service. They took the main course order as well as the drinks order. They also asked if we wanted them to wake us up for breakfast.

Dinner menu

Dinner menu

Hot Breakfast menu

The appetizer and salad were all served in one tray including the usual condiments (Tabasco, mustard, catsup, salt and pepper). It was actually interesting to see all these condiments since I don't remember seeing them on other airlines. The salmon was okay but not the best I've had.

Unfortunately, the chicken was very salty πŸ‘Ž

I thought they finally got it right and served real orecchiette until I saw a lost wheel (Rotelle) πŸ˜‰

The dessert was okay

To end the meal, pralines from Lily O Brien's were offered.

Lavatory

Ethiopian business class lavatory

Ugo Vanelli lotion and cologne

Ethiopian Business Class lavatory

Breakfast

Around 4:15am, the cabin attendant came to offer hot towels which was the start of breakfast service. She took the main course and drinks order a little later and I chose the Egg Muffin with Chicken Sausage as well a cup of green tea. The other choice for main course was Cinnamon Pancake with Mix Berry Compote.

Egg Muffin with Chicken Sausage, Lyonaise Potato and Ratatouille

Coffee and green tea

The flight attendants were attentive and offered refill of coffee and offered more bread. The service actually went quickly and by 4:45am, we were done with breakfast. By this time, I thought I could still take a nap since we still had more than an hour before landing although the announcements of Ethiopian Sheba Miles program information as well as the Duty Free service just made it impossible.

Around 5:45am, the captain came on the PA to give us flight info and that we would be landing in 20 minutes.

Good Morning, Stockholm 🌞

We made a smooth landing at Stockholm Arlanda Airport around 6:07am and reached our gate (Gate F29) 15 minutes later. Our baggage arrived at Belt 7 although it did not come first even with priority luggage tag πŸ‘Ž

CONCLUSION

Overall, the flight was okay because I was able to have a good sleep and that the seats were comfortable. On the other hand, the Gold Track in Addis Ababa Airport was slower than the normal security check and the chicken I had was very salty. Of course, it was interesting to be able to fly Ethiopian in business class and to be able to see their service and product. For the price we paid, I thought it was a good deal but considering that Turkish Airlines also had the same price (we found out about it after booking this flight) I definitely would have flown with Turkish Airlines had I known it before since their overall product and service is much better than Ethiopian's. Still, I think that Ethiopian is on the right track since they really have modern aircraft (we saw lots of Dreamliners in Addis Ababa) and that the service is also good and would just need to be improved πŸ˜‰