What services can I expect during my flight and transfer with Ethiopian Airlines?
Refreshments on board
Ethiopian Airlines provides free refreshments on all its flights, even for economy class passengers.
For long-haul flights over 7 hours, you will always get two meals.
- 1 full hot meal
- 1 breakfast or a cold dinner if the flight departs or lands during the night hours
On ultra-long-haul flights to North and South America, you get 2 meals plus a small snack.
Entertainment system
So-called In-Flight Entertainment will keep you entertained even on flights longer than 10 hours. There is a huge selection of movies, TV series, documentaries or music and arcade games.
The on-board system is completely free.
Screens are located in every seat on all aircraft (except the Dash 8-400, which is deployed on domestic flights in Ethiopia), even on shorter flights in Africa or the Middle East.
Wi-fi in flight
On board Airbus A350, Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft, you can use the internet in-flight.
Connectivity is only available once you're on the flight deck.
You will pay the following amounts for the internet:
- 1 Hour Pass - 5 usd
- 2 Hours Pass - 10 usd
- 3 Hours Pass - 15 usd
- Full Flight Pass - 25 usd
Hotel and free meals on transfer
Ethiopian Airlines' business model focuses mainly on passengers transiting through its main hub in Addis Ababa and tailors its services accordingly.
When connecting with Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa, you can get a free hotel and meal if you meet a few conditions.
The process of obtaining a transit hotel is the easiest with Ethiopian Airlines of all the airlines that provide free hotels when connecting at their hubs.
The hotels are very good quality and comfortable.
Under what conditions are you entitled to a hotel?
- The transfer is more than 8 hours and less than 24 hours
- Both flights must be with Ethiopian Airlines
- Both flights must be purchased on the same booking
Book your connecting flight at ethiopian.com
How do I book a hotel?
There is no need to book a hotel.
Just ask for a Hotel Voucher when you check in at the departure point. This will always be issued to you either directly at check-in or at the departure gate when you board your flight.
The capacity of the hotel is sufficient and it does not happen to be completely booked.
Some airports may not have enough templates to write out a voucher. In this case, upon arrival in Addis Ababa, look for the counter Customer Service Desk located near the security checkpoint for transiting passengers, where you will be issued a voucher.
Where to go after arrival?
Where to go depends on which hotel you have marked on your hotel voucher.
Skylight In-Terminal
If you're not leaving the transit area, head straight for the "International Transfer" signs at security, go through the departure gate area and follow the green "SKYLIGHT IN-TERMINAL HOTEL" signs.
This hotel is the preferred hotel for passengers connecting just over 8 hours or business class passengers.
You cannot exit the airport from the Skylight In-Terminal Hotel.
Skylight
If you have a hotel voucher and boarding pass for a connecting flight from the point of departure, head straight to immigration at the counters Passport Control not "Visa-on-arrival".
This is because Ethiopian Airlines passengers with an 8-24 hour layover are exempt from the visa requirement and do not need to arrange any transit visa.
If you do not have a boarding pass for a connecting flight, you must visit the counter before passport control Customer Service Desk.
After passport control, you will go through customs and present your voucher at the "Hotel Shuttle" counter in the public area of the arrivals hall, which cannot be missed.
Staff will show you which bus to board. The frequency of the free shuttle bus is 15-30 minutes and the journey to the hotel takes about 5 minutes.
Can I get food at the hotel?
Yes, after check-in at the hotel reception you will receive a voucher for breakfast, lunch and dinner, up to 3 meals depending on the length of the transfer.
The restaurants are buffet style and there is plenty of choice. Only plain bottled water is available to drink.
Can I leave the hotel and go downtown?
If you are staying at the Skylight Hotel outside the airport area, yes.
If staying at the Skylight In-Terminal, no.
Sightseeing during transfer
Addis Ababa is a relatively safe city by African standards, although it is not highly recommended to take your mobile phone out, especially in crowds.
You can therefore venture into the city centre on your own from your hotel or the airport, see the Addis Ababa airport guide.
However, if you prefer the convenience and security of a guided tour, take advantage of the official offer from the airline's subsidiary Ethiopian Holidays.
There are several packages to choose from:
- Addis Ababa, full day tour - 240 usd for 1 person, price reduced for groups (for example 89 usd per person in a group of 3-4 people)
- Addis Ababa, half day tour - 170 usd for 1 person, price reduced for groups (for example 95 usd per person in a group of 3-4 people)
- Entoto Natural Park, full day tour - 348 usd for 1 person, price reduced for groups (for example 177 usd per person in a group of 3-4 people)
- Wanchi Crater Lake, full day tour - 335 usd for 1 person, price reduced for groups (for example 135 usd per person in a group of 3-4 people)
- and more
Prices include transportation, guide services, meals, admission to sights and museums, and 1 liter of water.
Make reservations at ethiopianholidays.com.
Transit Lounge
In the past, all passengers with a 6-8 hour layover had free access to the lounge.
However, this has been discontinued and now only business class passengers or holders of higher status Star Alliance airline frequent flyer programs are allowed access to the lounge.
