Ethiopian A350 Biz Class Review refers to the first-hand impressions and early review of Ethiopian Airlines’ flagship business class product on one of its most important long-haul routes. It captures the immediate experience of the lounge, seat, amenities, dining, and service onboard the A350-1000 between Addis Ababa and London.
Flying in business class on the Airbus A350-1000 isn’t just a trip—it’s an event. From the sleek cabin design to the promise of world-class comfort, this aircraft is Ethiopian Airlines’ chance to show how it stands against leading global carriers.
With Initial Thoughts: Ethiopian Airlines A350-1000 Business Class Addis Ababa-London, travelers get a glimpse into what makes this journey unique. From lounge luxuries to cabin details and in-flight dining, this flight represents a significant step forward for African aviation. These early impressions highlight both the strengths and the areas where the experience can improve, giving passengers a real sense of what to expect.Ethiopian A350 Biz Class Review
Booking and Check-In Experience
Booking Ethiopian Airlines Business Class can feel like a mixed bag. Prices for the flagship route to London generally fall below what Qatar Airways or British Airways charge, but they’re still high enough to make passengers expect a premium cabin experience. Using ShebaMiles or other Star Alliance Gold frequent flyer programs can reduce costs, but availability is limited.
At Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, dedicated check-in counters are available for business class and Star Alliance elites. Priority lanes speed up the process, though the airport itself is often crowded and chaotic. Staff are polite but efficiency can be inconsistent. Compared to streamlined experiences in Doha or Istanbul, Addis still feels a step behind.
Lounge Access at Addis Ababa
The Ethiopian Airlines lounge, also called the Cloud Nine Lounge, is the flagship ground facility. Spread across different wings of Addis Ababa airport lounge, it offers food and beverage options, comfortable chairs, and free Wi-Fi. However, passengers frequently comment on the business class lounge Africa standard being well below global competitors.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:
| Feature | Cloud Nine Lounge (Addis) | Typical Middle Eastern Lounge (e.g. Doha) |
|---|---|---|
| Seating & Space | Often crowded, limited quiet areas for napping | Spacious, private pods |
| Food | Local Ethiopian dishes, pasta, sandwiches | Wide buffet, live cooking stations |
| Drinks | Wine, beer, spirits, few champagne flutes | Full bar, champagne on demand |
| Facilities | Limited showers, no spa | Showers, spa, nap rooms, family areas |
Showers in lounge are available but not always clean or stocked. Internet speeds are average, which can be frustrating for business travelers. Star Alliance lounge access in other hubs like London or Frankfurt often delivers a stronger pre-flight experience.
Boarding and First Impressions
Boarding is organized, with clear announcements for priority boarding. Stepping onto the A350-1000, the Ethiopian Airlines A350 cabin immediately impresses. The cabin design feels modern, with soft lighting and spacious overhead bins.
Flight attendants offer a warm greeting, though their demeanor varies widely depending on the crew. Pre-departure drinks include juice, sparkling wine, or water, but true champagne is rare. Amenity kits are distributed promptly, setting the stage for what should be a premium experience.
The A350-1000 Cabin Layout and Seat
Ethiopian chose a 1-2-1 seating layout, giving all passengers direct aisle access. The 46 business class seats represent a hard product upgrade over its older A350-900 subfleet, where some layouts still had 2-2-2 rows.
Key seat features include:
- 21-inch width, comparable to regional airline standards in Asia.
- Dimming windows for comfort and reduced glare.
- Plenty of seat storage for laptops, headphones, and small bags.
- Large, crisp entertainment screens featuring a tail camera feature.
However, some seats already show wear and tear issues, despite being new. Seat firmness divides opinion—some find it supportive, others too stiff. Unlike competitors such as Qatar Airways’ Qsuite, privacy isn’t absolute but still a vast improvement over Ethiopian’s older products.
Dining Experience at 35,000 Feet
Ethiopian Airlines has a proud culinary heritage, but the business class catering on this route can be inconsistent. On a 7.5-hour redeye flight, timing of meals matters. Unfortunately, service often begins late, frustrating passengers who want to maximize sleep.
Highlights and issues include:
- A midnight snack menu sometimes offered instead of full dinner, which feels light for premium travelers.
- Options like cheese and crackers meal appear too basic for long-haul standards.
- Food presentation issues are common, with trays not arranged neatly.
- Qatar Airways meal comparison shows Ethiopian lags in plating and speed of service.
Passengers can request Ethiopian specialties such as injera and spicy stews, which add authenticity. Yet, many still complain about menu selection complaints, especially when items run out quickly.
Service and Crew
Here’s where Ethiopian often struggles. While some flights showcase warm, professional staff, others highlight major gaps. Reports of slow service complaints, lack of attentiveness, and even a slammed tray incident paint a worrying picture.
A few service notes:
- Ethiopian Airlines service varies drastically between flights.
- Flight attendant attitude can swing from genuinely friendly to indifferent.
- Some passengers in economy vs business class feel the difference in service is not dramatic enough.
- Poor customer experience stories circulate online, lowering overall ratings.
This inconsistency in crew quality remains Ethiopian’s biggest challenge in competing with premium Asian and Middle Eastern rivals.
In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity
The IFE system impresses with its large screens and responsive controls. Content includes Hollywood films, African cinema, TV shows, and documentaries. The inflight entertainment (IFE) selection is decent, though not as vast as Emirates or Singapore Airlines.
Highlights:
- Clear tail camera feature showing takeoff and landing.
- Noise-canceling headphones provided, but not top-tier.
- Wi-Fi available but patchy and often slow.
A big negative? No overhead air vents, which combined with cabin temperature hot issues, makes the cabin uncomfortable at times.
Comfort and Sleep Quality
The lie-flat seat should provide excellent rest. Yet many passengers report the blanket and pillow feel basic compared to five-star carriers. A mattress pad missing reduces the overall bedding experience, and some travelers wake up sore due to business class seat firmness.
Still, Ethiopian’s A350-1000 is quieter than older aircraft, helping with sleep. The cabin’s ambient lighting system also supports rest on overnight journeys.
Amenity Kit and Extras
The amenity kit is functional but not luxurious. It usually contains:
- Socks and eye mask
- Basic skincare products
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
Unlike flagship business class competition in Asia or the Middle East, there are no pajamas or premium branded kits. It’s adequate but not memorable.
Arrival in London
The flight typically lands on time at London Heathrow. Deplaning is efficient, and priority baggage delivery works as promised. However, Heathrow’s immigration process can take time, especially during peak hours.
Ethiopian benefits from Star Alliance lounge access on the return, giving passengers better ground services out of London than Addis.
Comparison with Competitors
When comparing African airlines vs European carriers, Ethiopian often edges out legacy European airlines like Lufthansa or Air France in seat design but falls short on service refinement.
Against African airlines vs Asian carriers, the gap widens. Asian airlines deliver consistency, luxury, and flawless service, while Ethiopian is still battling inconsistency in crew quality and catering reliability.
Compared to Middle Eastern giants:
- Qatar Airways Qsuite outshines Ethiopian in nearly every category—privacy, dining, bedding, and lounge access.
- Turkish Airlines offers stronger catering but seats are less private.
- British Airways Club Suite rivals Ethiopian’s cabin but generally offers more reliable service.
Pros and Cons Summary
Pros
- Modern Airbus A350-1000 (A35K) with upgraded business class configuration
- 1-2-1 seating layout giving direct aisle access
- Authentic Ethiopian dishes available onboard
- Competitive pricing compared to European carriers
Cons
- Service inconsistency with reports of rude or inattentive crew
- Weak Addis Ababa airport lounge experience
- Food presentation issues and slow service
- Cabin temperature hot with no overhead vents
- Limited amenity kit compared to flagship competitors
Final Thoughts
Ethiopian A350 Biz Class Review shows that the airline has made big progress with its premium product. The modern cabin, direct aisle access, and lounge experience highlight real improvements. Still, some parts like bedding, food choices, and service need more attention.
Overall, Ethiopian A350 Biz Class Review gives a balanced view of what travelers can expect. It proves Ethiopian Airlines is moving forward in global aviation, but consistency will decide how well it competes with top carriers.
FAQs
1. What aircraft operates Ethiopian Airlines’ business class from Addis Ababa to London?
The route is served by the Airbus A350-1000, one of the newest jets in the fleet.
2. How many business class seats are on the A350-1000?
The aircraft has 46 business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout.
3. Do all business class seats have direct aisle access?
Yes, on the A350-1000 every seat offers direct aisle access.
4. Is there a lounge for business class passengers in Addis Ababa?
Yes, passengers can use the flagship business class lounge at Bole International Airport.
5. What type of meal service is offered on the overnight flight to London?
Flights departing after midnight usually have a light snack menu instead of a full dinner.
