Airline trust profile
Ethiopian Airlines ET
Star Alliance · Hub: Addis Ababa Bole
At a glance
Key facts about this carrier
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is Africa's largest airline and Star Alliance member, using Addis Ababa as a pan-African hub connecting to six continents.
- Star Alliance member and Africa's largest airline by passengers and destinations
- Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) hub connects to over 60 African destinations
- Modern fleet with Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s on intercontinental routes
- Key carrier for reaching secondary African cities not served by European airlines
- One of few African carriers with a strong safety and profitability track record
Why this tier
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is Africa's largest carrier by passengers (19.1 million annually) and fleet (170 aircraft as of 2026), operating from its Addis Ababa Bole hub to 145 international and 22 domestic destinations - including 65 African cities, more than any other airline. A Star Alliance member since 2011 and Skytrax 4-Star rated airline, it won Best Airline in Africa at the 2025 Skytrax awards for the eighth consecutive year, though persistent baggage handling complaints and inconsistent service quality on connections temper its premium positioning.
Strengths
- Largest African network: 65 African destinations, more than any other carrier, making it the default connector for intra-Africa routing
- Fleet of 170 aircraft including A350-900s, 787-8/9 Dreamliners, and 777s - with 9 additional 787-9s, 11 737 MAX, and 6 A350-900s on order as of early 2026
- Star Alliance member since 2011, enabling codeshare connections and RTW ticket inclusion across the alliance network
- Skytrax 4-Star airline rating and eight consecutive Best Airline in Africa awards (2018-2025)
- Cloud Nine business class on A350s offers 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access; Sheba Cloud Nine lounge in ADD is well-regarded
- Strong financial performance: H1 FY2025/26 showed 10.64 million passengers carried in six months, on pace to exceed prior year totals
Watch-outs
- Baggage handling rated 2.4/10 on Skytrax reviews; a $1M legal demand was filed in January 2026 over lost luggage, and theft complaints have surfaced publicly
- Business class hard product is inconsistent across fleet - 787-8s still use 2-2-2 layout without direct aisle access, and 777s have 2-3-2 configuration
- Flight consolidations and cancellations for commercial optimization cause unscheduled stops and missed connections, with poor rebooking communication
- Customer service widely criticized for copy-paste email responses and refusal to offer meaningful compensation for disruptions
Best used for
- Africa routes
- Budget economy
- Premium long-haul
Consultant intelligence
Operational notes
Hub and Connections
Hub at Addis Ababa Bole (ADD). Minimum connection 2 hours international. Ethiopian is the largest African carrier by fleet, revenue, and destinations. ADD connects Africa to the world, with 60+ African destinations. Strong connections between Africa, Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. Ethiopian is the only Star Alliance member offering deep African coverage.
Baggage
Generous 2x23kg economy allowance on most routes. Bags check through on Star Alliance itineraries. Intra-Africa connections sometimes require bag recheck due to local airport limitations. ADD baggage handling has improved with the expanded terminal but delays still occur during peak banks. Interline agreements with all Star Alliance members.
Terminal Notes
ADD Terminal 2 is the newer international terminal (opened 2019). Cloud Nine Business Lounge at ADD T2. The airport has improved significantly but can still feel congested during the evening connecting bank (22:00-02:00) when dozens of flights depart for Africa and beyond. Transit hotel available airside for long layovers.
Operational Issues
ADD is at 2,355m elevation which limits payload on hot days, occasionally requiring fuel stops or payload restrictions. Late-night hub structure means delays cascade and passengers may face long overnight layovers. Some African destination airports have limited facilities and ground handling. Ethiopian operates a modern fleet (787s, A350s, 777s) with good maintenance standards.
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