Guide To Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Seats

Guide To Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Seats

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Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest airline, offering a significant amount of both short haul and long haul capacity. While the Star Alliance carrier is generally pretty well regarded, Ethiopian does have quite the variety of business class seats.

In the near future I’m planning a trip on Ethiopian, so I’ve been researching the variety of business class seats that Ethiopian operates. I wanted to take a closer look at that in this post, for anyone else who might be interested. After all, you’ll want to make sure you’re in a comfortable seat, given that Ethiopian operates some 16+ hour flights to the United States (with a refueling stop in Rome).

While I initially covered this a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to provide an update in light of Ethiopian’s recent Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 orders, plus the carrier’s plans to retrofit existing planes with new cabins.

Ethiopian Airlines business class seats by aircraft type

Ethiopian Airlines’ long haul fleet currently consists of 59 wide body aircraft, including Airbus A350s, Boeing 777s, and Boeing 787s. Across those aircraft, the airline has five different kinds of business class seats, so that’s quite the variety (and the airline will soon introduce a sixth).

Let’s take a look at the business class seats that you can expect on Ethiopian, broken down by aircraft type (thanks to this great FlyerTalk wiki for breaking down details by tail number — and in particular, Sean M. has added a lot to that).

Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350 business class seats

Ethiopian Airlines has a fleet of 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which are viewed by many as the best planes in Ethiopian’s fleet. The good news is that all Ethiopian A350 feature flat beds and Wi-Fi. However, there are two different kind of business class seats.

14 of Ethiopian’s A350s feature Collins Aerospace Diamond seats, which are fully flat and in a 2-2-2 configuration (seat map here). This isn’t a particularly spacious product, but at least it’s fully flat. This product uses space very efficiently because the footwell for each seat is located to the side of the seat in front.

Ethiopian’s Collins Aerospace Diamond seats (fully flat)

Ethiopian Airlines’ six newest Airbus A350s feature Safran Optima seats, which are fully flat and have direct aisle access, in a 1-2-1 configuration (seat map here). This is among Ethiopian’s best business class products, so if you can get on one of these aircraft, you’re in for a treat.

Ethiopian Airlines has an additional 15 A350s on order, including 11 A350-900s and four A350-1000s. The airline hasn’t yet announced which cabins it will install on these jets, though I think it’s likely that the airline might finally go for a bit of consistency, and keep installing the Safran Optima seats.

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 777 business class seats

Ethiopian Airlines has a fleet of 10 Boeing 777s, comprised of six 777-200LRs and four 777-300ERs. These are the most consistent planes in Ethiopian’s fleet, as they all feature the same fully flat beds and Wi-Fi. However, this is otherwise not much to get excited about.

These planes have fully flat Zodiac Aura Lite seats, which are in a 2-3-2 configuration (777-200LR seat map here, 777-300ER seat map here). These are also the only planes in Ethiopian’s fleet to have middle seats in business class. At least you know exactly what to expect when flying Ethiopian’s 777 business class.

Ethiopian’s Zodiac Aura Lite seats (fully flat)

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 business class seats

Ethiopian Airlines has a fleet of 29 Boeing 787s, comprised of 19 787-8s and 10 787-9s. Unfortunately these are the worst planes in Ethiopian’s long haul fleet when it comes to consistency of business class seating and availability of Wi-Fi.

Let’s start with Ethiopian’s Boeing 787-8s. 10 of these feature angled Zodiac Aura Lite seats, which are in a 2-2-2 configuration (seat map here). These are the only Ethiopian long haul jets without fully flat beds. As you can tell based on the name, this is the same seat type you’ll find on 777s, except there’s more pitch on the 777s, so the seats are fully flat. These are the Ethiopian planes you’ll want to avoid if possible.

Ethiopian’s Zodiac Aura Lite seats (angled)

The other nine 787-8s feature Collins Aerospace Diamond seats, which are fully flat and in a 2-2-2 configuration (seat map here), and they’re the same seats you’ll find on most A350s. This isn’t a particularly spacious product, but at least it’s fully flat.

Now let’s talk about Ethiopian’s Boeing 787-9s. Six of these feature Collins Aerospace Diamond seats, which are in a 2-2-2 configuration (seat map here), just as you’ll find on some A350s and 787-8s. These planes also have Wi-Fi.

Ethiopian’s Collins Aerospace Diamond seats (fully flat)

Last but not least, the other four Boeing 787-9s feature Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats, which are fully flat and in a 1-2-1 configuration (seat map here). These planes also have Wi-Fi.

Ethiopian Airlines has an additional 11 Boeing 787s on order, consisting entirely of the 787-9 variant. On top of that, Ethiopian plans to reconfigure 787s with new cabins, starting with the 787-8s that currently feature angled seats.

The airline is partnering with Boeing joint venture partner Adient Aerospace on these cabins. While it hasn’t been formally announced, I think it’s most likely that the airline selects the Adient Ascent product, which features fully flat beds with direct aisle access, and will probably also have doors. This is the same product you’ll find on Qatar Airways’ 787-9s, and on upcoming American Airlines 787-9s and Hawaiian Airlines 787-9s.

The timeline for these retrofits remains to be seen, so I’ll provide an update once we know more.

Best Ethiopian Airlines business class strategy

If you’re thinking of booking Ethiopian Airlines business class, what’s the best strategy to get as good of an experience as possible?

The first thing to understand is that Ethiopian is notorious for aircraft swaps, so you can never really know what you’re going to get when booking in advance. That’s true to some extent between totally different aircraft types (like swapping an A350 for a 787), but it’s particularly true between variants of the same aircraft type (like swapping a 787-8 for a 787-9).

So to manage your expectations with Ethiopian, don’t ever assume that you’ll be guaranteed the aircraft type that you see at the time of booking.

Also note that Ethiopian doesn’t guarantee the new configuration on any particular routes. However, the airline does try to prioritize it on some routes. For example, Ethiopian’s A350s with new business class seats most frequently fly to London and Toronto.

If booking, how would I prioritize Ethiopian aircraft to get the all-around best business class experience?

  • The Airbus A350 would probably be my first choice, as you’re guaranteed flat beds and Wi-Fi, and you even have decent odds of getting on a plane with Ethiopian’s new business class
  • The Boeing 777 would be my second choice, because the planes have fully flat business class seats and Wi-Fi, and you also know exactly what you’re going to get, so there’s no guessing game
  • My third choice would be the Boeing 787-9s, all of which have fully flat beds and Wi-Fi; the only catch is that aircraft swaps between 787-8s and 787-9s are common
  • My last choice would be the 787-8s, as most of them have angled seats without Wi-Fi, which is not a great business class experience

To North America, Ethiopian typically flies Airbus A350s to Toronto and Boeing 777s to Washington, while the other routes are typically operated by Boeing 787s.

Of course the above advice could change as Ethiopian starts taking delivery of additional new jets, and starts retrofitting Boeing 787s.

Ethiopian Airlines A350s offer a solid experience

Bottom line

Ethiopian Airlines has quite the varied fleet, as the airline has five different kinds of business class seats on its Airbus A350s, Boeing 777s, and Boeing 787s, with a sixth product coming soon. Amazingly enough, this is already an improvement over Ethiopian’s old fleet, as the airline used to have way more seating variants.

If you’re going to fly Ethiopian in business class, I’d recommend booking the Airbus A350 or Boeing 777, as those planes are guaranteed to have flat beds and Wi-Fi. Meanwhile the Boeing 787s are more of a mixed bag, due to a majority of 787-8s not having flat beds.

What has your experience been with Ethiopian’s long haul business class?

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  1. bebjorings Guest

    Does anyone know when Ethiopian Airlines are going retrofit the 787-9? I am going to Addis in november 2024, and wonder if I should go from London with the A-350, og Brussels with 787-9 and hope to get the new business cabin.

  2. Patrick Guest

    I flew EY last month from IAD-ZNZ and from ZNZ-YYZ with stops in ADD and the fuel stop on Dublin. The old 777 was okay, but not great. Still better than Y. The food is okay, but be prepared for spicy food. It was my first trip to Africa, so that was an experience. The service is pretty good and the FA’s are friendly. If you can get the A350, the entertainment system is better and it’s overall a better experience.

  3. James Guest

    I flew to Addis from London not long ago on a 350 in a Safran seat. Mrs & I had the two middle seats at the front - some extra room I think. Good seat. Service was so-so. Food a bit dodgy - but passable.

  4. GP_7676 Guest

    I flew their 777 business class 4 times on one trip a few years back. Really appreciated the open ottoman instead of the more common footwell you find these days on most business class products. Really not a bad product if you’re traveling with someone.

    I thought service and food were both good to great as well. This was pre-pandemic.

  5. Nate nate Guest

    It would be great if you created a page with links to all of your airline reviews (your search feature isn't great). So there would be one place to look for links to all of your articles on ET, QK, QR, etc.

  6. AwesomePossum Guest

    Flew them a few months ago as cheap opportunity from Oz (via MNL, and despite having to take the dreaded Cebu Pacific-@lucky, time to review them: 7 hours with no entertainment system, not even a map, no food, and the narrowest, hardest seat ever!). I had the gamut of ET seats & planes, from the old-school inclined biz seats (not too bad) to the proper biz seat on ADD-FCO which had privacy & real lie-flat....

    Flew them a few months ago as cheap opportunity from Oz (via MNL, and despite having to take the dreaded Cebu Pacific-@lucky, time to review them: 7 hours with no entertainment system, not even a map, no food, and the narrowest, hardest seat ever!). I had the gamut of ET seats & planes, from the old-school inclined biz seats (not too bad) to the proper biz seat on ADD-FCO which had privacy & real lie-flat. ET are ok for price but otherwise pretty average, the food is poor, wine terrible, only basic spirits; service ranged from reserved but good to indifferent and almost sulky. Will fly again if cheap tix available.

  7. snory Guest

    I think no one beats Thai Airways on the variety of current offering of business class product. They have the full spectrum from the European style economy with blocked middle seat all the way to reverse herringbone...
    That's about 9 configurations based on my count per below:

    A322: Europe Style Business Class (Economy with Blocked Middle Seat) these are inherited from subsidiary Thai Smile.
    B772: Thai Old Angle-Flat Seat Gen 2
    B788:...

    I think no one beats Thai Airways on the variety of current offering of business class product. They have the full spectrum from the European style economy with blocked middle seat all the way to reverse herringbone...
    That's about 9 configurations based on my count per below:

    A322: Europe Style Business Class (Economy with Blocked Middle Seat) these are inherited from subsidiary Thai Smile.
    B772: Thai Old Angle-Flat Seat Gen 2
    B788: Collins Aerospace Diamond
    A359 Config 3: Zodiac Aura Lite Forward Facing Full Flat 2-2-2
    A333: Thompson Vantage II staggered business
    B77W Config 1/A359 Type 1: STELIA Aerospace SOLSTYS staggered business
    B77W Config 2: STELIA Aerospace SOLSTYS III staggered business
    B789: Cirrus Reverse Herringbone seats
    A359 Config 2: Collins Aerospace Super Diamond Reverse Herringbone

    Just my utter wonder and amaze on how they manage the maintenance on all these seats! Oh my gosh, it is like a Russian roulette when you got an aircraft swap.

  8. iamhere Guest

    Interesting you did not mention the ability to bid for an upgrade on Ethiopian. Before booking this trip I would be checking the news. In recent years the relationship with their neighbor has not been good. Surprised you do not choose the flight that has a stop over in Togo.

  9. Travelingmann Guest

    I will not fly Ethiopian due to the varies seating situation in business class. The six A350s that are 1-2-1 configuration are great, but the balance are terrible. And, as mentioned in the article the airline switches aircraft all the time. If they ever gets their planes with a universal configuration, I think they would see a big bump in their connection business

  10. VitaliU Gold

    I am not sure it is wise to travel to Ethiopia or even connect there now. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiv9Zn6-q2CAxUkrokEHTgZD6gQFnoECCIQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.economist.com%2Fmiddle-east-and-africa%2F2023%2F11%2F02%2Fethiopias-prime-minister-wants-a-red-sea-harbour&usg=AOvVaw1siGmw4xJu4O7h7_yLr4jS&opi=89978449

    1. Darryl Stewart Guest

      Ethiopia is amongst the safest of countries in Africa. It's perfectly safe to travel through or (especially) connect through. Much safer than NYC or Chicago - look at the crime statistics. Addis Ababa also has a higher HDI than Detroit!

    2. Ricky Guest

      Ethiopia is at Level 3: Reconsider Travel on the US Department of State Travel Advisories. Level 1 is Exercise Normal Precautions and Level 4 is Do Not Travel. For what it's worth, Israel is also at Level 3 and so is El Salvador where Miss Universe will be held in two days

  11. Sean M. Diamond

    I believe all 787-8s now have Wifi as well. The stragglers were the ET-AT* aircraft, but I was on ET-ATJ today and it was available.

  12. Sean M. Diamond

    Longhaul flights scheduled on A350s tend to be the least likely to be swapped as the crew already downroute are only qualified to fly the A350. However, Ethiopian 777/787 crew are type rated to fly both 777 and 787 types so those can be swapped at literally a moment's notice.

  13. Darryl Stewart Guest

    Interesting timing. As they have now just launched their own hotel chain. Unfortunately will be tough for them to get over the MAX situation.

  14. Hugo Guest

    "The first thing to understand is that Ethiopian is notorious for aircraft swaps, so you can never really know what you’re going to get when booking in advance. That’s true to some extent between totally different aircraft types (like swapping an A350 for a 787), but it’s particularly true between variants of the same aircraft type (like swapping a 787-8 for a 787-9)." - exactly right. I have had a 787 replaced by a 737...

    "The first thing to understand is that Ethiopian is notorious for aircraft swaps, so you can never really know what you’re going to get when booking in advance. That’s true to some extent between totally different aircraft types (like swapping an A350 for a 787), but it’s particularly true between variants of the same aircraft type (like swapping a 787-8 for a 787-9)." - exactly right. I have had a 787 replaced by a 737 from ADD to Athens. Out of 12 or so flights I have taken with them this year, only 1 was operated by the aircraft initially planned. The service is so so usually, food ok but not more than that and the wine selection is everything but impressive.

  15. Toby Guest

    I’ve had the 737 Max replaced by a 787-10 on an Addis to Nairobi flight. And yes, it was the actual 737 Max that crashed just a couple of day before the accident.

    1. stogieguy7 Gold

      I'm amazed that they could glue it all back together.

    2. stogieguy7 Gold

      Never mind, bad attempt at humor

  16. Mick Guest

    Was it Washington to Accra on Ethiopian that used to be a real award sweet spot back in the day? Or was that on South African?

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Mick -- Hah, that was SAA from IAD to ACC. I think it was 25K in business!

    2. Mick Guest

      Yes! Ha, thanks for the reply! I always tried to make that work.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

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Ricky Guest

Ethiopia is at Level 3: Reconsider Travel on the US Department of State Travel Advisories. Level 1 is Exercise Normal Precautions and Level 4 is Do Not Travel. For what it's worth, Israel is also at Level 3 and so is El Salvador where Miss Universe will be held in two days

2
Sean M. Diamond

Longhaul flights scheduled on A350s tend to be the least likely to be swapped as the crew already downroute are only qualified to fly the A350. However, Ethiopian 777/787 crew are type rated to fly both 777 and 787 types so those can be swapped at literally a moment's notice.

2
Sean M. Diamond

I believe all 787-8s now have Wifi as well. The stragglers were the ET-AT* aircraft, but I was on ET-ATJ today and it was available.

1
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