Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350-900 Business Class Review: Best in Africa?

My journey across Africa continues with a firsthand account of Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350-900 Business Class. It’s a flight I hadn’t initially considered for my connections within Africa. However, after a remarkable flight experience aboard Ethiopian Airlines 787-9, I’m more than eager to take to the skies once again with Ethiopian Airlines.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the comforts and unique features of Ethiopian Airlines A350 Business Class service, food, and amenities as well as the reasons why I’ve had a change of heart about my airline preferences. So, join me in this surprising adventure as we uncover the delights and Ethiopian Airlines business class benefits in this Ethiopian Airlines a350 business class review.

Ethiopian A350 Business Class- Ground Experience

My Ethiopian Airlines A350 business class review kicks off in Addis Ababa after an early morning flight on Ethiopian’s 737-800 service which was very good. We had just finished an amazing four-day safari at Encounter Mara in Nairobi and were off to South Africa via Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa Business Class Lounge

We arrived in Addis Ababa to find a hectic terminal. I knew Ethiopian Airlines was one of the major carriers in Africa but for some reason, I wasn’t expecting the lines of aircraft at the gates and people milling about in the airport.

I thought we could escape the crowds inside the Cloud 9 Business Class Lounge however it too was packed.

We spent too much time looking for a spot to settle and didn’t get to enjoy the lounge beyond eating some great Ethiopian food. I did note all of the highlights I wanted to come back and see (massage room, coffee ceremony, soft-serve ice cream machine) but, as I found on my Ethiopian Airlines lounge review, the crowds really go from one extreme to the next.

On the return, we had the whole longe to ourselves however, many of the cool things I wanted to check out were closed.

Still, I got a good idea of what the lounge has to offer and can say it is a comfortable space with decent food. For more photos and details, check out my full Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa Lounge review.

What Are The Ethiopian Business Class Seats Like?

When I first stepped into the Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350 business class cabin, I had mixed feelings. Except for the very red seats, the entire cabin is grey and beige.

This was a bit of a surprise as, at the time, this was a newer aircraft to the fleet. That said, the cabin felt roomy and light, partly because there weren’t any overhead compartments above the centre row.

Although the style didn’t blow me away, the functionality of the Ethiopian A350 business class seats certainly made up for it.

The new Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350-900 business class is in a 1-2-1 configuration so the best seats for solo travellers are along the windows. I was with a travel partner so opted for centre seats.

The cabin wasn’t full so I was able to check out a few spots before takeoff. The seats themselves are very roomy, comfy, and private. Every other seat along the windows offers the most privacy with a nice divider and table area on the left. The same goes for every other center-row seat which is closer to your companion’s seat. If you are not travelling with someone and in one of these, the centre Ethiopian A350 business class seats have a retractable privacy divider. Interestingly, I found this seat better laid out than my bulkhead seat on Singapore Airlines A380 business class which is renowned as one of the best services in the sky.

Once in my seat, the flight attendants came by to offer orange juice or champagne. I opted for both and continued to explore what the Ethiopian Airlines business class benefits were. In the seat, I noted the functionality of several compartments. To my right was a cubby that housed the inflight entertainment controller, a mirror, and plenty of space for a water bottle, headphones, and notepad.

Below that is a power outlet, both standard and USB. On the side of the small table tray area, you will find the controls to adjust your seat between sitting and lying flat.

The table tray tucks neatly below the entertainment screen and the foot well below is more than roomy enough to stretch out and relax. Big marks for the seats on this Ethiopian Airlines a350 business class review.

Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350-900 Business Class Service and Amenities

As I settled into my seat, I spotted Ethiopian Airlines’ vibrant business-class amenity kit, tucked away to the left. It was like a burst of sunshine, wrapped up in a plastic case that screamed “look at me.” They offer these in a choice of yellow, red, or green, but which one you get is like a lottery. Inside the case, it was like a mustard-yellow treasure trove – dental kit, comb, hand sanitiser, eye mask, lip balm, socks, earplugs, a snazzy branded pen, and even a face mask to keep things funky.

The best part of the Ethiopian Airlines business class amenities kit itself. As noted in my Ethiopian Airlines 787-9 business class review, these kits are the most practical ones I have come across thanks to their handy hooks and how it folds open. I kept mine with the intention of using it while camping. The colours also seem to scream “Take me camping,” so there’s that.

What is Ethiopian Airlines A350-900 IFE Like?

Now, let’s talk about the Ethiopian A350 business class in-seat entertainment system.

The screen was like a big, shiny treasure chest of movies and TV shows, and it responded to my touch like it was happy to see me. It’s one of the few IFEs that didn’t make me feel like I was wrestling with technology from the last century.

Still, the selection of movies and shows is a little limited. It is more than enough to keep you entertained for a few hours however the catalogue could be better.

I did play a couple of games with my travel partner which is something I typically don’t do. I blame the widget style layout which put some games at the forefront. It was fun and killed a few minutes before the meal service.

Ethiopian A350 Business Class WiFi

Thanks to Ethiopian’s Sheba Sky Connect, Wifi is available in the Ethiopian a350 business class cabin. I decided to take the plunge and bought a one-hour pass to see if I could conquer the digital skies. Spoiler alert: I didn’t.

The speeds were so sluggish that I gave up on trying to get anything done. As for most paid inflight wifi services, I suggest skipping it.

Ethiopian Airlines Food Review

Now, let’s dive into the lunch situation on this flight. I’ve got a soft spot for Ethiopian cuisine and was happy to see Ethiopian Airlines serving up traditional dishes in the sky. When the flight attendant came by and listed off 4-5 vegetarian and meat dishes I simply said yes and received a heaping plate full.

It may not look the most appetizing but I thoroughly enjoyed the soft injera bread and accompanying dishes. So much so that I didn’t realize there was still a 3-course meal to follow. When the flight attendant came back asking what I would like for my starter and main I politely declined as I had overdone it, putting the breaks to my full Ethiopian Airlines food review.

That said, My partner did have a Peri-Peri grilled chicken dish that was just OK. The same goes for a shrimp salad. For desert we split the brownie cake which was also pretty basic however I did pair that with some fantastic Ethiopian coffee.

Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350-900 Business Class Bed

Even though we were flying during the day, after lunch I decided to make use of the comfortable blanket and took a nap. The seat lays completely flat and, thanks to the previously mentioned roomy footwell, I was able to drift off with ease. That or the belly full of Ethiopian food 🙂

Wrapping up this Ethiopian Airlines A350 Business Class Review

I awoke from my nap to find that we were descending, putting an end to my enjoyable Ethiopian Airlines A350 business class review.

The journey exploring the skies with Ethiopian Airlines has been nothing short of captivating. From initially not considering their flights for my African connections to eagerly anticipating each takeoff, this experience has been a testament to the airline’s excellence.

Enjoying the flavours of Ethiopia served at 30,000 feet showcased the rich culinary heritage of the region. From traditional dishes to globally-inspired delicacies, there is something for everyone onboard.

Moreover, the amenities and attention to detail by Ethiopian Airlines truly set a benchmark for luxury travel. The thoughtful touches, from plush bedding to in-flight entertainment, ensured that every aspect of the journey was designed to provide the utmost comfort and satisfaction.

What started as an unexpected flight choice soon became a preference. Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to excellence in service, combined with the unmatched comforts of their Ethiopian A350-900 Business Class, has unquestionably altered my perceptions.

This surprising adventure has not only broadened my horizon in terms of airline choices but has also deepened my appreciation for the quality of service and experiences Ethiopian Airlines offers to its passengers. It’s a journey that has left an indelible mark, reshaping my travel choices for the better. With great Aeroplan redemptions available between Toronto and Addis Ababa, I won’t hesitate to book this leg in the future.

As I conclude this captivating journey, I invite fellow travellers to consider Ethiopian Airlines for their future travels, especially if seeking an exceptional flying experience through Africa.

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