Flying with Ethiopian Airlines in Business Class from Zanzibar to Addis Ababa. From the chaotic Terminal 2 of Zanzibar Airport and an extremely poor lounge to a surprisingly relaxed flight that offered everything you could wish for in a premium cabin.
| Departure | 26.12.2023 – (17:00) 17:00 |
| Arrival | 26.12.2023 – (19:45) 19:10 |
| Flighttime | 2:10 h |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 777 – 200 LR |
| Delay | none – even arrived 35 minutes early |
| Travel class | Business |
| Seats | 1 J & 1 L |
Table of Contents
Departure Airport
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport is divided into 3 terminals. At the time of our visit, at least Terminals 2 & 3 were in operation. Terminal 1 was somehow not present for us.
Terminal 3 is the large new part of the international airport, very spacious and clean. Discover Airlines, Oman Air and other major airlines fly from here.
Despite the existence of this new building, the vast majority of airlines still fly from the old Terminal 2. Here you can feel like traveling from Africa to the world in 1968. This building has seen its good times very, very, very long ago. Why the majority of flights are still handled here is absolutely incomprehensible to us.
How to get there
In the vast majority of cases, you will arrive at the airport with some kind of transfer. I can’t think of any other form of transportation at the moment.
We arrived by car transfer from Amani Boutique Hotel Zanzibar and conclude the end of our Africa Christmas trip with this Ethiopian Airlines flight. If you are also interested in this trip, have a look at our other hotel and flight experiences on this very homepage. Our YouTube channel also offers very detailed videos about other trips and stays.
Check-in & baggage drop
Once you arrive at the terminal, your booking confirmation will be used to check whether you are act the right terminal for your flight and whether you possibly need to go to the other one.
This is where your baggage is put through the scanner for the first time. All electronics and liquids must be unpacked and placed individually in trays. However, if the items remain in your luggage, it doesn’t matter. We tried it – nothing else happened. The main thing though is that everyone has to take their shoes off. They then go through the scanner without a tray in the hope that both of them will turn up at the other side all together.
We did not check in any baggage. Our hand luggage was neither checked nor weighed or inspected.
Security Check
The security check is just a few steps away. You have to fill in the exit document and then queue at the checkpoint. And this is where it gets really exciting! There are two scanners – the one on the right was working, the one on the left was obviously not.
There were about 6 people queuing in front of us. Suddenly the right-hand scanner stopped working and we had to queue at the left-hand one (which hadn’t actually worked before…). The queue got really mixed up. There was jostling and scowling going on. Then a family of about 10 was guided past us to the front. Their plane had already started boarding. Okay. That happens sometimes. Well leave that for good.
Once it was our turn, we put our hand luggage on the conveyor belt and our electronic devices in the obligatory container. We went through the body scanner and waited on the other side. Obviously the scanner for the bags wasn’t working – or the monitor, or whatever… As a result, the bags had to be opened and searched manually.
Meanwhile, the belt was at a standstill – accordingly, our passports and cell phones were lying inside the open containers at the other end, accessible to everyone. At this point, it was decided that everything had to be put back on the right-hand belt. So I had to go back through the body scanner and move the containers and suitcases from one belt to the other.
In the meantime, passengers from further back in the queue had already placed some of their luggage on the right-hand belt. The belt got super packed and simply ran for so long that the pieces of luggage piled up at the other end and some even fell to the floor. To be honest, it was almost like a riot and a far from any serious control! A lot of things really didn’t work here at all!
At passport control, we had to hand in the documents we had previously filled in. These were placed in huge piles, some of which we could read very well. Data protection of personal data is not taken serious here at all. The check itself went okay and quickly – but the employee was quite lethargic and unmotivated.
Lounge
Those traveling in Business Class also have access to The Premium Lounge Zanzibar at Terminal 2. Admission was a little difficult as at check-in it was forgotten to add a handwritten note onto our boarding passes. This was made up for by the luckily very nice staff member at reception – she had to make several calls and also walk all the way to the gate for confirmation. During this time we had to wait in the very cramped, hot and stuffy vestibule.
Unfortunately, our worst fears were confirmed once we entered the lounge. Yes, there was seating, food and drinks. But… the quality. The room was very small. The walls had certainly been painted for the last time decades ago. The seating was made up of cushion leather sofas and armchairs in various colors and designs grouped very cramped around individual coffee tables. It all gave the impression of a second-hand sale of discarded seating furniture.
The bar was stocked with soft drinks and beer, as well as a fresh juice made from various fruits. A few spirits were also available. The food on offer consisted of small sweet pastries and pre-packed sandwiches. Unfortunately, there were lots ants among the food. As a result, we didn’t eat and limited ourselves to closed drinks.
But here too, the two employees on site were enchanting and added at least a little charm and sparkle to the whole ambience. A big thank you to both of them!
Boarding
The waiting area at the gate was far too small for the size of the aircraft. Accordingly, the crowd was large and seats were scarce.
As soon as boarding was called, chaos went into another round and everyone lined up at gates 1 & 3 (we couldn’t figure out where gate 2 was…) and were all boarded in a jumble, regardless of their cabin class.
Our plane had a tarmac position not far from the gate and so all passengers walked the short distance across the apron heading towards the two staircases. Before boarding, the row number on our boarding passes was checked and all passengers were directed to one of the two staircases.
Welcome
As business class passengers, we were allowed to use the front stairs. As soon as we arrived at the top, we were greeted by two friendly flight attendants and a wonderfully cool cabin. We were directed to our seats and were handed a small bottle of water before we were even seated.
As soon as we sat down, a hot towel was handed to us and immediately afterwards we could choose between champagne and orange juice as a welcome drink. Shortly followed by the menu card. A few minutes later, the friendly flight attendant noted down what we wanted as our main course.
In short: perfectly prepared and executed!
Of course, it should also be mentioned that only 9 out of the 28 seats in business class were occupied.
Start & Routing
We started very punctually and headed north straight away. The route leads further and further north across Kenya right into Addis Ababa.
Cabin & Seat
The seats, like the aircraft, are a little outdated, but quite competitive and comfortable.
The 777 – 200 LR seats in Business Class are installed in a 2 – 3 – 2 configuration identical to Turkish Airlines. Personally, I am a big fan of this type of seat. It offers a lot of space – regardless of whether you want to sleep or sit in the upright position. The 3-seater configuration in the middle may be strange for single travelers or couples, but for families travelling with a child it’s ideal!
By the way, Ethiopian Airlines calls its Business Class Cloud 9.
The seat can be moved into a wide range of individual or preset positions and, of course, also be transformed into a completely lie flat bed.
Opposite the actual seat is an ottoman, which serves as a footrest when extended and under which smaller suitcases can be stowed. The storage compartments for magazines, security cards and similar items are located between the ottomans. The armrests between the individual seats contain the extendable table, sockets and the remote control for the monitor. The TV itself is located inside the front of the armrest. It can be extended and folded upwards. From row 2 upwards, the TV is installed in the back of the front seats and is of course larger – but also quite far away.
Entertainment
The entertainment system can be operated via touchscreen (if it works) or remote control. You can choose between a variety of programs, films, games and maps. On the Ethiopian Airways website there is a small overview of the available programs.
WLAN was available on board, but we did not test it (we forgot…. Sorry!)
Amenities
As it was a short day flight, there were no amenity kits available at the seat. There was a blanket and a pillow at the seats for each guest though. This is totally okay as further amenities are not really necessary.
Food, Drinks & Snacks
Honestly?! The food service on this flight was the fastest in the world! About 5 minutes after the seatbelt signs were switched off, our ordered meal was already on the table!
And what can I say!? There was everything you could wish for. A delicious salad, the main course was decent, as was the dessert. It was accompanied by really delicious white wine and then some pralines.
The wine was topped up with a smile every time the flight attendants walked through the cabin. All in all, really good.
The table itself can be extended from the side of the armrest and once folded out can be moved towards or away from you, as well as moved sideways for easier access in case you want to get up, even when the table is set.
Snacks
Snacks were not offered, but were not necessary for this short flight with such an extensive lunch.
Washrooms
The two toilets right behind the cockpit are reserved for business class guests and were in a condition appropriate for the age of the aircraft. No gems of aviation, but tidy all through the flight.
Service at Ethiopian Airlines
The flight attendants were friendly and courteous at all times. In the beginning they got a little irritated by our photo and video activity, but this quickly subsided.
Arrival
10 minutes before landing there was a short announcement from the cockpit. Unfortunately, it was rather mumbled and unclear. As far as we understood, however, there was no essential information other than the arrival time and the current temperature on the ground.
Once we arrived, our plane was assigned a tarmac position and passenger stairs were approached accordingly. However, the whole procedure took less than 5 minutes. When disembarking, the business class guests were given preferential treatment and were allowed to disembark first. A bus was already waiting at the foot of the stairs, which was reserved for business class passengers only. The transfer to the airport building was therefore super quick.
Destination Airport
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is a large and very modern airport that can definitely keep up with other hubs. Everything is new and part of it is still being expanded. Only the baggage control at transit is a little out of line. There was a bit of chaos here, with containers spread out on the floor and sometimes standing in the way, and a rather less than potent security check. It goes without saying that we also had to take our shoes off here. Pro tip at this point: make sure to wear socks – I´d rather not recommend walking these carpets barefoot!
The airport is the home and main hub to Ethiopian Airlines and we really have to say that we were very pleasantly surprised by how great this airport is.
Lounge
As Business Class guests, we were also allowed to visit the lounge for our transit time. The Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge is huge, modern, clean and equipped with a great range of food and beverages. You can take a shower, there are various bars, a view of the city and even a massage service (unfortunately we were too late). When we arrived at 8pm, the lounge was still relatively empty, but then filled up with the many transit passengers. Nevertheless, there were plenty of free seats and everyone could find a corner to suit their needs. We were delighted with this huge lounge that comes with so many great offers!
Conclusion
The aircraft is a little outdated, but otherwise in good condition. The service as well as the food and drinks on offer are great. The lounge is huge and really offers a lot of great food and retreat options. Ethiopian Airlines and its home airport can definitely keep up with their international competitors!
Points
We award 9 out of 10 possible points for this flight with Ethiopian Airlines from Zanzibar to Addis Ababa in Business Class on their 777-200LR.
We deduct half a point for the ageing aircraft and another half point for the ground handling situation at Zanzibar airport. We can only hope that the airline has an influence on this and will soon be handling passengers at their new terminal.
Recommendation
We can recommend Ethiopian Airlines without reservation and with a clear conscience as we were delighted with this flight. There is always a suitable configuration for couples and families in the Business Class seat configuration. The cabin is perhaps not that suitable for individual travelers though. Privacy is not necessarily a given and if you want to sit by the window or are allocated the middle seat, there is no direct aisle access.
Airline Homepage
Try them?
Absolutely. We’d say: try them!
YouTube Video
As always, you can of course also watch this review on our YouTube channel. (only German though!) Have fun watching!
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