The following is a review for a flight from Johannesburg to Washington, DC with a connection at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and refueling landing at Rome, Italy. The flight was provided by Ethiopian Airlines. There were two of us: me and my wife on this flight. Everything was on time. Enough legroom between the seats, I was able to stretch my legs and sleep for at least some time during the 14 hour second flight (19 hours in total for both flights). Very decent meals that included two lunches and one breakfast on the flight from Addis Ababa to Washington and one lunch on the flight from Johannesburg to Addis Ababa. The lunch choices were beef, chicken and fish, I think the vegetarian option was available as well, accompanied with beans. The breakfast was a choice between egg and pancake, accompanied with a fruit salad. The egg breakfast was awesome, it came with a scrambled egg and a sausage. However, my wife mentioned unusual taste of the pancake breakfast meal, by all means those were not pancakes. What wasn't good: Externally initiated commercials on the infosystem screens, you couldn't turn the screen off. These commercials were accompanied by loud and annoying music, transmitted through the entire cabin. Obviously, there was no escape from this music as well. Additional moment: on the flight from Addis Ababa to Washington, DC, we landed at Rome for refueling. This was totally fine and it was in the flight itinerary. But, the flight attendant asked me to straighten the seat while we were at the steady position during the refueling. I can't rationalize this order except that some people just like to be a boss of some kind. Keeping the light lit in the economy cabin while keeping it dimmed in the first class also didn't improve my and my wife's feelings. Overall, the services were very good and the flight, despite its longevity, went on very smoothly.
8.0 ExcellentVladimir A, Jun 2026JNB - ADD
Read more Ethiopian Air reviewsThe following is a review for a flight from Johannesburg to Washington, DC with a connection at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and refueling landing at Rome, Italy. The flight was provided by Ethiopian Airlines. There were two of us: me and my wife on this flight. Everything was on time. Enough legroom between the seats, I was able to stretch my legs and sleep for at least some time during the 14 hour second flight (19 hours in total for both flights). Very decent meals that included two lunches and one breakfast on the flight from Addis Ababa to Washington and one lunch on the flight from Johannesburg to Addis Ababa. The lunch choices were beef, chicken and fish, I think the vegetarian option was available as well, accompanied with beans. The breakfast was a choice between egg and pancake, accompanied with a fruit salad. The egg breakfast was awesome, it came with a scrambled egg and a sausage. However, my wife mentioned unusual taste of the pancake breakfast meal, by all means those were not pancakes. What wasn't good: Externally initiated commercials on the infosystem screens, you couldn't turn the screen off. These commercials were accompanied by loud and annoying music, transmitted through the entire cabin. Obviously, there was no escape from this music as well. Additional moment: on the flight from Addis Ababa to Washington, DC, we landed at Rome for refueling. This was totally fine and it was in the flight itinerary. But, the flight attendant asked me to straighten the seat while we were at the steady position during the refueling. I can't rationalize this order except that some people just like to be a boss of some kind. Keeping the light lit in the economy cabin while keeping it dimmed in the first class also didn't improve my and my wife's feelings. Overall, the services were very good and the flight, despite its longevity, went on very smoothly.
Boarding was disorganized. Cabin crew was rude. Food was okay. Baggage was lost in Jeddah. Called airline for the past 5 days, either no response or saying the same thing as always which was "No bag has arrived. It should be here by tonight."
A bit chaotic boarding flight but over all good experience.
Planes are good. However the entertainement system is slow. The headphones are of low quality and I could hardly hear a movie The movies lack subtitiles
The plane was old and the luggage racks above us were visibly shaking during turbulence. Water was dripping on our heads during landing. Our flight was over 2 hours late departing but we were not updated or told what to expect as the screen at the gate continued to read “on time”
It is nice and great but the houstees crew are all the way back arguing with customers and behavior issues same of the crew i saw that also all the trips were very much butter!
I have my baggage left either in Jeddah or Addis and undelivered to Abuja
The crew was not helping us in the airports ..Very bad experience..the washrooms are not meeting the expectations..need more good service... The hotel service was good but there is a very long wait time which wasted time to go through..
POSITIVES The hostesses were mostly pleasant, NEGATIVES The full flight wifi was horrible, hardly able to use it. My charger port was not working which made me use my neighbour's port which resulted in an accident which ruined her flight. During dinner, meat ran out when the cart got to us forcing us to eat vegetarian which was not great. We watched everyone around us eating meat. My wifi did not transfer to the second leg of my trip as they promised as they changed the plane. I was thrown off the window seat I booked for the 2nd leg of my journey as they changed planes, all done at my expense. This was not a cheap flight ($2600) which i hurriedly had to book to attend my mother's funeral who passed away suddenly. I was honestly disappointed with the whole saga as I heard Ethiopian Airlines was one of Africa's best.
Delays delays making us miss or next connection to IAD hence having to stay additional 24 hrs in Addis Ababa
It was a horrible experience that I hope not to try it again. Rude stuff Poor food Always delayed schedules Lost baggages
Friendly staff from check in until the crew very helpful and smooth
Departed late Arrived about 40 minutes late The plane parked at the domestic terminal requiring transfer back to international arrivals
Very bad no tv no water no food absolute pathetic ! Couldn’t take zam zam ! No free zam zam water allowance! Dont travel
Poor airlines no infotainment system no food not even water was offered… absolutely not recommended! Nasmiles was not counted couldnt log in flynas app ! The app doesnt work with booking PNR! Please dont fly on these pathetic budget airlines!
Overall a poor experience…. No infotainment system no charging port no food was offered! Not recommended
It was hot inside as the air conditioner was not working and the crew members were not courteous
the seat you book will always be taken by someone else..…
Nothing The flight delayed for more than 3 hours as usual
In the future, it is preferable to provide free snacks
Kayak offered terrible customer service. The 2nd of 3 flights were cancelled and it took me an hour on the phone to try to cancel the other 2. I had to call back later to get someone to assist. I was calling internationally and an already stressful situation was made worse.
Moderate carrier , one of the flight attendant crashed my leg with the food table and never bothered to apologia but give you a lecture about how to sit in your seat.
If the flight was full I would have been more uncomfortable as the space was small. The seat in front of me was very close, I wear transition lenses and it was too close for a comfortable viewing experience. The foot room was not the best either. The row was empty so I had shoulder width space. The foot space in my opinion could be better, I am just 6ft tall, medium built and found the space mediocre. The AC on the flight could have been cooler. We were delaed on the tarmac and the air con was warm. Even in the air, it could have been cooler. Apart from that excellent service crew, we were delayed on the tarmac and water was offered to us which was of good temperature. The snacks offered were acceptable. Thanks for a safe and smooth journey.
Boarding from T3 is a nightmare for the transfer to the aircraft.
BEST air crew in the industry and service delivery takes it to the next level from great to AMAZING!!!
No TVs are working, in my local busses also not work sometimes. Is the both are same,,
The timing for this flight is really odd.. at 4.45AM If it was 1AM or 8AM it would be great. I guess its probably for European connecting flights with Emirates? Anyway, for a budget airline, the business class product in FlyDubai is quite decent. You even get Champagne, although 4AM is an off time to have it. The Throne seat for me while is great for privacy, sleeping isn't great for the foot extension. This flight is great for me due to its direct nature but if Emirates did it, I would choose that.
The quality is worse and worse , this business ticket pricing is overpriced !!!!
The Plane was very small.. domestic route will perfect not international
If I have a choice I would not use this airline. They moved by booking to Smart Wings, an airline they code share with. Changing terminals in buses and dealing with some of the staff associated with it is not the best experience. Having stated that I must share that the crew of Smart Wings airlines was polite.