New Ethiopian Airlines Business Class: Suites For A350s, Flat Beds For 737s

They now provide pajamas on long hauls. Now the only missing amenity is mattress pad.

I just flew back and forth from Dulles to South Africa via Addis. We had pods in 3 out of 4 flights, the food was very good (especially the traditional Ethiopian course, amazing), probably the best airplane drip coffee I have ever had and lovely service. Even PJs. I would happily fly them again.

I mean, they could install Qsuites on their A350s and you'll still face the last minute aircraft swaps they are so notorious for

That’s exciting! There are decent Star Alliance partner redemptions via Aeroplan and United for like 80K/way in Business Class from the US to Africa, Asia, etc., on Ethiopian, which can be worthwhile when otherwise cash price tickets are $5K+. 1-2-1 seating far better than 2-2-2.

Cant imagine lay flat seats on a 737! Personally, I wouldn't allow these Middle East, subsidized by oil, to fly in the US. It's unfair competition for our own domestic airlines who are burdened by that little necessity of making a profit to survive. These Middle East outfits can just throw money around, must be nice.

Well Ethiopia is in Africa...

Actually there are already 7 different types of seats on the widebody fleet, and an 8th coming soon when ET-BCC (ex-Hainan 787-8 B-2723) enters the fleet by December. This will be the 9th type (or more) by the time it enters service.

I guess Ethiopian will be the second airline to install Collins Diamond parallel seats on a 737 (at least MAX)? The only one that I remember is Copa 737-9.

The A350s already have 3 different types of seats.

(1) Collins Diamond Parrallel on ET-ATQ through ET-AWP (14 frames)
(2) Safran Optima on ET-AYA through ET-AZN (6 frames 359) and ET-BAW through ET-BAZ (4 frames 351)
(3) Collins Super Diamond on ET-BCD and ET-BCE (2 frames ex-Sichuan Airlines)

ANA offers the best rate in business class from the US to Africa using miles on Ethiopian. Good news is they just started allowing one way fares. Bad news cost went up and they still have a lot of restrictions, but I still utilize it frequently… why can’t ET replace the sloping J seats on some of the 787’s. Those are the worst in the fleet by a mile! But this is exciting!

I flew NY to South Africa. The JFK to Addis flight is not fully flat in business class (at least on most days) - horrible experience. The Addis to Joburg plane was swapped last minute from a 787 to a 737 with recliner seats.

So no, Ethiopian is never my airline of choice, unless I need to get from South Sudan to Djibouti and have no other sensible options.

Educate yourself well first.

Ignorance should be considered a capital sin.

Fun facts

Qatar does more aircraft swaps (per total number not percentage) than Ethiopian Airlines.

Wasn't the original plan to partner with Adient Aerospace to develop a seat for all aircraft type (most especially the Boeing fleet).

I recall when the partnership was announced and they were supposed to start rolling out by 2026 new seats based on the Adient Ascent seats for the B787 and B777.

Yep that seems to have gone quiet around a year ago.

To each their own. For 80k United miles I thought it was great.

Ed Bastians alt account

I have flown on ET Business Class many times, and they are absolutely horrible: Old and dated seats and they often change aircraft types at the last moment without forewarning .....