Two hours of a real business class experience on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 608: a modern cabin, Lounge vibes, a real long-haul seat and a flight that is particularly suitable for couples. But why we weren’t particularly satisfied with the product can be read in this review. Enjoy.
Review #117
| Departure – planned (actual) | 14:15 (14:42) |
| Arrival – planned (actual) | 18:05 (17:50) |
| Flight time – planned (actual) | 2:50 (2:08) |
| Delay | 27 minutes on departure 15 minutes earlier on arrival |
| Aircraft type (call sign) | Boeing 787 – 9 (ET-AXL) |
| Class | Business |
| Seat | 4J |
Content
Arrival
Suvarnabhumi Airport is located around 30 kilometers east of the center of Bangkok. Depending on the time of day, you should allow between 30 minutes and an hour for the journey – Bangkok traffic can be… let’s say: surprising.
The most flexible way to get around is by taxi or grab. Both are super easy and comparatively cheap in Bangkok. When taking a cab, make sure the taximeter is switched on – it should be standard, but is not always done right away. Alternatively, you can also organize a private transfer via your hotel – a little more expensive, but very relaxed. With a grab or uber, you are on the safe side, as you book the driver for the route at a fixed price.
If you prefer a more budget-friendly option, take the Airport Rail Link. The connection is fast, reliable and completely bypasses road traffic – a real game changer, especially during rush hour. There are also bus connections and shuttle services, which are mainly offered by larger hotels.
Departure airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport is huge – and that’s exactly how it feels. Glass, steel and high ceilings: Everything looks modern, open and quite impressive. No wonder – the airport was opened in 2006, making it one of the newer mega-airports in Southeast Asia. Since then, it has been continuously expanded to keep pace with the ever-increasing number of passengers.
The centerpiece is the large main terminal, where both international and many domestic flights are handled. Some of the routes here are really long – although moving walkways help, you should still allow enough time. Since the expansion, there is also a satellite terminal (Midfield Satellite Terminal), which is connected via an automatic people mover. Meaning that, depending on the gate, there may be another small “mini-transfer” within the airport.
The airport also delivers when it comes to comfort: there are lounges in all shapes and sizes, plus spa facilities, massages and even small relaxation areas. Perfect for winding down before a long flight.
A little tip: plan enough time – it can quickly take a little longer, especially with the sometimes busy security checks.
Check-in
Our Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 608 was checked in at the rear check-in desks in row Q. In addition to several counters for Economy Class, there was only one for Business Class passengers. Two passengers were waiting in front of us, each of whom apparently had a more complex request and therefore needed around ten minutes per person to process. So in total, we stood at the counter for around 20 minutes before it was our turn.
The actual check-in went all the more smoothly for us: friendly, efficient and completely uncomplicated. We were able to check in our luggage without any problems, and after about three minutes we were already holding our boarding passes in our hands.
Security check
As Business Class guests, we were allowed to use the Fast Track, which can be found at both far ends of the counter hall. The crowds here were extremely small and it took a maximum of 5 minutes for us to get through security. A few steps further on, we were already at passport control. There are only two controls with officials and only automated gates. There was nothing going on here either and we were first in line. With our new biometric passports, everything went very smoothly and we were through the checkpoint just a minute later.
Lounge
As Business Class guests, we were of course also able to use one of the many partner Lounges. Ethiopian Airlines does not have its own Lounge at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, but as a Star Alliance member, there is the option of using the Lounges of the other Alliance members as Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines or Eva Air. We opted for the latter, even though we didn’t really have much time and only treated ourselves to a quick refreshing drink.
Our boarding passes were scanned at the entrance counter and we received a very friendly welcome. The relatively large Lounge features a really cool futuristic look with lots of reflective chrome surfaces and colorful lighting. It is divided into different seating area zones and also offers a small business center and two rooms with chaise longues where you can close your eyes for a moment, as well as two shower facilities.
Of course, there is also a small buffet where you can simply help yourself. In addition to some hot dishes, you can also choose between various sandwiches, salads and even instant noodle soups. Of course, there is also a good selection of drinks. Including beers, wines and sparkling wine.
Boarding
We had to move to the satellite terminal to board our flight. To get there, you first have to go down several escalators, where all passengers take the underground shuttle train running under the tarmac. Once you arrive at your destination, the path leads upwards via numerous escalators until you finally find yourself in the middle of the satellite building – greeted by two impressively large elephant statues.
Our gate S114 was the first one on the left and so it only took us a relaxed 2 minutes to get there from where we got off the shuttle.
Boarding itself started just a few minutes late and all premium and status passengers, as well as people who needed help boarding, were allowed to board at parallel boarding gates. The process at the gate was super relaxed, well organized and quick.
After boarding pass control at the gate, we took the left-hand escalator down, which led directly to the first passenger bridge. From there, we were able to board through the front door of the plane where we stood right in the Business Class entrance area.
Welcome on board
We were greeted very warmly at the door, our boarding passes were checked again and we were then shown to our seats. After the distribution of hot towels, all Business Class guests were offered a welcome drink – either champagne or orange juice. Shortly afterwards, the menu cards were also handed out.
Start & Routing
The plane took off in a southerly direction with a delay of just under half an hour, before turning in a north-easterly direction and then flying in an almost dead straight line over Laos, Vietnam and the Chinese island of Hainan to Hong Kong, where we landed 15 minutes ahead of the planned arrival time.
Source: flightradar24.com
Cabin & seat
In the front section of this Boeing 787 – 9 configuration from Ethiopian Airways, Business Class is located between the first two cabin doors. The 5 rows of Diamond Parallel seats in a 2 – 2 – 2 configuration offer space for a total of 30 premium guests.
Economy Class is installed behind the Premium cabin and stars directly behind the second door and offers seats in a 3 – 3 – 3 arrangement for a total of 285 passengers. Ethiopian Airways does currently not offer Premium Economy.
Source: aeroLOPA.com
The pairs of seats in Business Class are arranged parallel to each other and at a slight angle to the side. The passengers’ feet always point towards the cabin wall and slightly to the right in the middle seats. A long-haul Business Class configuration like this is of course extremely comfortable for such a short flight of just over 2 hours.
The seats themselves are the Diamond Parallel models, which are currently still used by some other airlines, but are actually discontinued models which are gradually being replaced by other seat types everywhere except with Ethiopian Airlines.
The first thing I noticed was that the seat cushions themselves were quite soft and reminded me more of old armchairs that were a bit worn out. Somehow comfortable, but only for a shorter period of time before your back starts to hurt.
To the right of the height-adjustable headrest, a small bottle of water and the amenity kit are ready before take-off. Various charging options for electronic devices are also installed here and there is also a flat storage option located below the monitor. The only other storage option in this seat is in a seat pocket below the center console – but this is more likely to be used for magazines or similar items. Unfortunately, I was unable to store my Macbook anywhere.
There is also an individually controllable reading lamp inside the seat shell and an additional light in the cabin ceiling that can be controlled via the remote control. Also there are individual fresh air outlets in the cabin ceiling in Business Class. In addition, the typical Dreamliner windows are installed, which no longer have physical blinds but can be darkened electronically.
The table can be folded out of the center console, but was not particularly stable and, as can be seen in the pictures, unfortunately not really clean. However, the folding mechanism worked without any problems and was easy to operate. The table itself can only be pushed forwards/backwards by about 10 centimeters and cannot be turned to the side. I somehow didn’t quite manage to find a good sitting position in which I was able to eat properly, apart from the completely upright position. Lufthansa, for example, is doing that much better!
Of course, the seats can also be moved into completely flat beds at the touch of a button. The side armrest on the aisle side can be lowered manually by pressing a button and pushing it down at the same time, thus increasing the range of movement for the upper body, especially in the shoulder area. However, the space for the feet in the small shelves is very limited. I would set the bed length at 1.90 m. Sleeping here in a supine or prone position as a tall person is likely to be rather difficult. However, if you are a side sleeper or shorter than 1.80 m, this should not be a problem.
Entertainment
The entertainment is of course also focused on the monitor installed in the front seat on Ethiopian Airlines, which is not at all small. In addition to movies and series, the in-flight entertainment system also offers music, games and information about the airline as well as a moving map, which allows you to localize your current location and track your flight.
Of course, the airline also provides proper noise-canceling headphones that can be used for the entertainment program. You can control the program using the remote control built into the center console.
All Business Class guests can use the onboard Wifi free of charge. For this purpose, individual vouchers with hand written codes are issued once the cruising altitude has been reached. However, streaming movies or series is not possible due to the high data consumption. Nevertheless, you can use messenger services without any problems.
Amenities
A pillow, blanket and slippers will be waiting for you at your seat when you board as well as the amenity kit. The high-quality leather bag contains socks, a sleeping mask, a comb and lip balm as well as a toothbrush and -cream, earplugs and a pen.
Food, drink & snacks
The menu cards were handed out before the start and our selection of food and drinks was taken shortly afterwards.
On this two-hour medium-haul flight, Ethiopian Airlines offers a real three-course meal. As our departure time was around 14:05 and we took off around noon, lunch was served. The appetizer consisting of duck breast with salad and nuts was served on a tray together with the dessert. The hot main course was then added a few minutes later, fresh from the oven. There were three choices here – Fabi and I both opted for the chicken balls. Personally, I thought the dish was okay, even if the balls were very dry and the seasoning was rather bland. We were also able to choose from a selection of rolls.
Washrooms
A total of 3 washrooms are available for Business Class guests in this Boeing 787 – 9 configuration. One at the front right next to the cockpit and one on each side of the middle galley. The lavatories are not really any different from the regular Economy Class washrooms, but at least there are hygiene wipes in addition to cologne and body lotion available.
Service
On this Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 608, we felt welcome and well looked after the entire time. The service was perhaps a little shy compared to other airlines, but very quick, friendly and extremely pleasant. One of the flight attendants was undergoing training, but despite this, everything was very, very relaxed.
The flight attendant responsible for us was really nice, but the mood in the entire team was somehow a bit weird – as if there had somehow been a difference of opinion and now the mood is ruined.
Arrival
Arriving on time, we naturally had a rather long cab ride to the terminal in Hong Kong and once we arrived at the gate, it took quite a while for the boarding bridges to be approached. Interestingly, the bridge at the second door was approached first and so we were able to disembark there. The Business Class passengers were given priority and the Economy passengers had to wait their turn. At the entrance to the terminal, a digital display showed that our suitcases were being transferred to conveyor belt no. 9.
Destination airport
Hong Kong Airport was only a stopover for us on our way back to Frankfurt. Immigration is always very quick in Hong Kong, even though we had to join a really long queue. We only applied for the transit visa while being in the Lounge shortly before departure and received confirmation by email straight away. This meant that we only had to show our passports at immigration and, after a brief question as to whether we were only in the city for transit, we had entered the country.
From here, we continued in Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy to Shanghai, where we spent a very short night at the Holiday Inn right next to the airport before heading back home to Frankfurt in Business Class on Lufthansa’s 747-400, the Queen of the Skies. Incidentally, we were able to secure seats 1H & 1K at the very front of the nose of this aircraft – basically sitting even farther in front than the pilots do.
Conclusion
This flight with Ethiopian Airlines was good, but in no way comparable to the two other flights we have already experienced with the airline. From Zanzibar to Addis Ababa and then on to Frankfurt were both really great flights. This one was okay and, especially for the short flight duration, extremely comfortable in this real long-haul Business Class configuration. However, the food was unfortunately rather mediocre and the service was also quite mixed. The seat configuration can be great for couples, but for all other passengers who would like at least a little privacy, I think the product is a little difficult.
Points
Unfortunately, we only award this Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 608 from Bangkok to Hong Kong 6 out of 10 possible points.
We deduct one point each for the rather moderately tasty food, the very mixed service, the seat, which is great for medium-haul flights but rather mediocre for long-haul flights, and also for the lack of cleanliness everywhere.
Recommendation
We can recommend this flight ET 608 with Ethiopian Airlines, especially for couples. The 2 – 2 – 2 seat configuration is simply difficult if you are traveling alone or on business and are sitting next to a stranger. This is of course an absolute luxury problem – especially for such a short flight, but it is also a flaw. Families, especially those with two children, can certainly experience a better journey.
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YouTube Review
Do you want more? Would you also like to hear what this flight felt like? Then take a look at our YouTube review. Have fun with it!
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