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Ethiopian Airlines is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, with an impressive and diverse array of destinations reached through its central Addis Ababa hub. Considering its new plane orders, rapid expansion, reoutfitted business class product, exceptional on-board service, and a bevy of new routes added to its network recently, we are naming it the top airline in the world for 2025. The airline recently added Airbus’ A350-1000 to its fleet, the new ultra-long-haul airplane that allows for a greater seating capacity, and more premium seating for the airline. This particular addition allows Ethiopian Airlines to add even more long-haul routes to their network.
I’ve been a passenger on Ethiopian Airlines in the past as I’m a lover of the continent of Africa and its many countries. The airlines’ hub of Addis Ababa is ideally located for transfers connecting other areas such as Europe, North America, and the Middle East to Africa. My recent experience was flying from Washington, D.C. to the stunning island nation of Seychelles, remotely positioned in the Indian Ocean. But, Seychelles can also easily be reached with the airline from JFK Airport, with an extra refueling stop in Abidjan. Ethiopian Airlines offers direct flights from North America to Addis Ababa from major cities like New York JFK, Newark, New Jersey, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. Addis Ababa is not only a thriving metropolis worth a visit on its own, as well as greater Ethiopia beginning to draw eyes from the international travel community - but it’s a very convenient place to stop on your way to places like Cape Town, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zanzibar, and Rwanda, all destinations where the airline flies. Traveling from Washington, D.C.’s Dulles Airport to Addis Ababa in 14 hours was easy, and the 3-hour flight from Addis Ababa to Victoria, Seychelles felt like a breeze. It was the fastest route to Seychelles from North America compared to other airlines that service the destination. Ethiopian also serves major business cities from the United States like: Abidjan, Lome, and Monrovia - making the airline a true business/leisure option.
I arrived at Washington, D.C.’s Dulles Airport about an hour and a half before my flight to Addis Ababa. Check-in was effortless and I was pointed to the special “Cloud 9” Business Class check-in area. This made things easy and smooth, streamlining the process and allowing me to collect my boarding pass and hand over my checked baggage in under ten minutes. I moved through security and went to my gate where we began boarding about 30 minutes after I sat down. Cloud 9 passengers were called first and I was welcomed warmly aboard by the friendly Ethiopian Airlines crew, being directed to my seat quickly. I placed my carry-on baggage overhead and took in my surroundings. Ethiopian Airlines typically operates an Airbus A350 on this route and the business class seats are all outfitted to be incredibly comfortable. The national colors of the country are prevalent everywhere - green, yellow, and red. The airline is very proudly Ethiopian and you see, feel, and taste Ethiopia in every fiber of this flight, which I love.
The seats in both economy and business class are comfortable, but Cloud 9 Business Class is particularly inviting. The seats recline to a full flatbed. The entertainment system, storage, pillows, and blankets all come together in some kind of special harmony tucked inside a little nook where privacy isn’t a problem and you can kick back and rest on the long journey. Soon after being seated one of the lovely flight attendants came along to offer champagne and orange juice. I chose champagne, naturally, and soon we were wheels up and off to Africa. As I perused the seemingly endless menu of food and beverage options, I settled on the traditional Ethiopian “starter” experience. The airline offers Western meals for those who aren’t as adventurous but, trust me, if you love unique cuisine - please opt for the Ethiopian spread. The flight attendants dressed for meal service and began to roll down the aisle with bubbling pots full of traditional chicken, lamb, beef, and vegetable options. On the flight, you will find items like Doro Wot (spicy chicken stew), Yebeg Alicha (Ethiopian style lamb goulash), Ethiopian Beef Tibs with Awaza (Ethiopian fried beef), Ater Kik (split yellow peas with sauce). I am telling you, each dish was more heavenly than the last and it's all eaten with the Ethiopian staple sponge-like pancake, Injera - which is made from teff flour. Teff is the national grain of the country and it’s the backbone of Ethiopian culture. After the Ethiopian dishes, I opted for sea bass as my main course and that was followed by an endless array of cakes, chocolates, Ethiopian coffee, tea, and cordials. I loved that the airline serves wine from various countries, but highlights their own Rift Valley red and white. It’s all very unique.
When meal service was through and as the cabin lights were dimmed I put my seat into flatbed mode and turned on a classic film that I could drift off to. The entertainment options are plentiful but, within 40 minutes, I was drifting away. I woke only for breakfast service, around 6:30 a.m., about an hour from landing in Addis Ababa.
We glided over the green and grey jagged mountains and through the clouds for a smooth landing at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport. As I stepped off the plane I entered a bustling airport filled with passengers from around the world connecting to far-off places, and some traveling within Ethiopia to sights like Lalibela, the Simien Mountains, and the Bale Mountains. I followed the signs for the Cloud 9 Business Class lounge and was admitted after showing my boarding pass for my connecting flight to The Seychelles. I found a comfortable seat in the lounge, grabbed a coffee, and looked over the many food options for passengers in the lounge. I honestly couldn’t indulge because I was still incredibly full from my flight. Not more than 30 minutes had passed before I was approached by a lounge attendant and told that it was time to board my flight to Victoria, Seychelles.
My flight to The Seychelles was full but boarding went off without a hitch. My entire experience within the two airports I had been in with Ethiopian Airlines couldn’t have been easier thus far. I see why the airline was recently named “Best Overall in Africa” by the APEX Passenger Choice Awards. We soon took off to the tropical Indian Ocean islands and I was seated in business class on this plane, too. The flight is a mere 3 hours, so the business class cabin is smaller but service is not less than perfect. I was offered a printed menu and chose the same round of Ethiopian national dishes to start, but selected something different as my main - a lovely chicken dish. I took a brief nap and was soon descending over The Seychelles’ turquoise waters. What I love most about Ethiopian Airlines is the kindness of the in-flight crew. I have never had one poor experience with them. They are always approachable and willing to do whatever they can in their power to make your experience great. I can tell the kindness comes from a genuine place, it’s not forced or manufactured.
For people who travel to or throughout Africa, no better airlines connect you to even obscure destinations. The airline offers service to places like Liberia, Brazzaville, Congo, Conakry, Guinea, Sudan, and other capitals that are less visited. This is very exciting not only for business travelers but for leisure travelers who are explorers at heart. Ethiopian Airlines is the entire package of comfort, kindness, ease, and options - all critical elements of successful travel internationally. If you travel in 2025, especially to Africa, make Ethiopian Airlines your choice carrier. You will not regret it.
