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.
A bit chaotic boarding flight but over all good experience.
It was very bad experience with Ethiopian airlines . The flight was delayed in both ways . On the way coming back one of the crews dropped hot coffee on my whole body and other crew dropped used dirty glasses on top of me . The same crew that dropped hot coffee on me hit me with the food trolley on my knee while I was sleeping . I couldn’t sit properly due to the pain on my knee caused by those irresponsible crews . Very unprofessional airlines
The food needs to improve especially the fish as there where only 3 fish cubes in my plate.
The boarding area was too small with only one agent checking passengers into their standing bus
Am Wowed I did not ever thought African has such an amazing airline before.
It might have nothing to do with the airline but the only problem was the long waiting for baggage claim at Entebbe
Choice of Vegetarian Food in Economy class needs overhaul improvement
It is just ok, the sits are very uncomfortable, the temperature too low and there weren’t blankets. The food is mediocre and there are no screens to watch movies.
I've never been served three bread courses in a single meal before. Was really impressed by the novelty of that.
boarded in a mannerly process, Departed on time, the pilot pointed out my. Kilimanjaro, snack and drink provided-great 1 hour flight
Overall good experience but for long distances there really needs to be more room.
there really needs to be more room with each seat for such a long flight.
The plane was delayed almost three hours because boarding was unorganized then we were delayed even longer because the plane had an issue. The plane didn't look well maintained, there was also alot of tape on the exterior. I won't fly kenya air ways again after this trip.
Our luggage was supposed to be checked through from Arusha to Cape Town. We didn't know that it was a self transfer in Johannisburg. Kayak should not have sold this flight combination with out a self transfer alert.
There was chaos checking because of a canceled flight the day prior. Also, we had an issue with tickets. The KQ agent went above a d beyond to help us get on board the flight Overall the 13+ hour flight is uncomfortable in coach. I may try to upgrade on return
For a long haul flight, the seats were too narrow. Paid for extra legroom but wish I could have paid for width! I was pressed against another person for the whole donation of the flight.
The nice treatment and lovely pilots who accepted my son inside for a photo.So lovely of them
Apart from delay of 3 hrs in Nairobi for onward flight to Dar all fine. Looked like operational issues caused it.
The flight never took off. We sat on the tarmac for over two hours due to an electrical fault and finally the flight was cancelled. We were told that hotels would be organised but there was no further communication. In the end I retrieved my baggage and went to the car park to pick up my car and drive home. It cost me over £150 to park the car for two weeks, plus of course petrol, and over £600 for the four flights and £50 for the travel visa. All gone up in my smoke. I’m bitterly disappointed that my business Trip was cancelled and have been told I will get a “partial refund” within three months!!! What a way to treat a customer.