Airline Review: Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787-9 with Lie Flat Seats) : Addis Ababa – Rome – Chicago (ET 574)

Flight: Ethiopian Airlines ET 574 from Addis Ababa to Chicago via Rome

Duration: 15 hours 45 mins (6 hrs 10 mins + 9 hrs 35 mins)

Aircraft: B789(Boeing 787-900)

Class: Business

Seat: 2D-2H (Middle row aisle)

Seat Specification: Collins Super Diamond seats, Flat Bed

All our previous Ethiopian Airlines flights were operated at best at 2 x 2 x 2 flat bed configuration and this was the first time we experienced a 1 x 2 x 1 configuration. Ethiopian is notorious in swapping aircrafts at the last minute and even a few days before the flight it showed a 2 x 2 x 2 layout so we were very elated upon entering the aircraft and seeing the different layout.

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Business Class

IFE Controls, Charging ports, Amenity Kit

Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Window Seats

Starter: Cheese and Sautéed Bellpepper, Nicoise Salad

Entrée: Sautéed Kale with fried fish (left), Pan-seared Chicken Breast with roasted potatoes

The fried fish was extremely oily and was not fun to eat with the rice.

Dessert: Organic lemongrass with white chocolate cheesecake

After dinner, I laid out the seat to bed and went to sleep.

Breakfast: Seasonal fresh fruit & cereals

Lunch: Ethiopian Chickpea tofu salad (left), stuffed vine leaves and roasted mixed vegetables (right)

Lunch: Ethiopian National dish – Spicy chicken stew with bread, Dessert: Lemon mascarpone cake

Bottomline:

Seat: ****

Service: ***

Food: ****

After 5 Ethiopian Airlines flights with 2 x 2 x 2 seat configuration, we finally lucked into a 1 x 2 x 1 on this flight. That too we realized only after entering the cabin :). All seats having direct aisle access, does make quite a bit of difference. The seat cushion was good for sleeping and I did end up sleeping well on the flight.

The food was pretty good. It wasn’t something out of this world but good enough for a business class. Service was sincere, and the flight attendants were making the rounds in the cabin at frequent intervals.