Trip Report: Flying Ethiopian Airlines in Europe

‍DALLAS — Ethiopian Airlines (ET), renowned for its extensive network connecting Africa to the world, also operates a few unique intra-European routes. 

We recently took one of these flights, traveling from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) on board the airline’s iconic Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 

Despite being a short 50-minute hop, this journey offered an intriguing look at Ethiopian’s service within Europe. Here’s our detailed breakdown of the experience.

The Aircraft: A Dreamliner with History

ET-AOP operated our flight, a Boeing 787-8 that has served the carrier for 12 years. The Dreamliner is known for its advanced wing technology, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort. 

It’s not often you see such a long-haul aircraft deployed on a short intra-European route, making this flight a unique opportunity to enjoy the 787’s features on a regional trip.

ET-AOP, however, has an eventful backstory. This aircraft made headlines in 2013 when it was involved in a fire while parked at London Heathrow. The damage was significant, but the aircraft was fully repaired and returned to service. 

Today, it operates as part of ET’s diverse fleet, and passengers would never know its history unless they looked it up.

Despite its history and reputation, the aircraft showed its age during this flight. The cabin interior felt slightly worn, and the in-flight entertainment system, usually a highlight of long-haul flight experience, was stuck on the welcome screen throughout the journey.

Cabin Experience: Mixed First Impressions

Upon boarding, the first noticeable detail was that the cabin wasn’t as clean as expected for an airline with ET’s global standing. While not overly dirty, the lack of attention to detail in tidying up before the flight stood out, especially for a carrier operating on a prominent international route.

The seating arrangements offered an interesting contrast. Economy class had a fair number of empty rows, giving passengers plenty of space to spread out. Business class, however, was nearly full, with only three seats unoccupied. This contrast highlighted the route’s appeal to premium travelers, perhaps connecting the capitals of Sweden and Norway to Ethiopia’s hub in Addis Ababa.

We liked the blankets and pillows at each economy seat. The adjustable headrests and legroom were also great, and they should be comfortable for long-haul flights.

While these amenities are more commonly expected on long-haul flights, their availability here added a layer of comfort, making the experience feel more premium despite the short duration.

In-Flight Service

Even on this brief 50-minute flight, Ethiopian Airlines demonstrated its commitment to service. Shortly after takeoff, the attentive cabin crew offered passengers complimentary refreshments. The choice was simple but refreshing: pineapple juice or water.

The crew maintained a friendly and professional demeanor throughout the flight, engaging with passengers as needed. ET shines in this area, consistently delivering warm service even on its shorter routes, though warm food wasn’t complimentary. 

While the in-flight entertainment system wasn’t functional, the crew’s efforts to make passengers comfortable helped compensate for this shortfall. The service was better for a quick hop between Sweden and Norway than a low-cost airline’s flight. 

The price was also budget-friendly, and there was a complimentary seat selection during the online check.

The Journey: Views Above Scandinavia

The flight itself was smooth and uneventful, cruising at 30,000 feet. With a mixture of clear and cloudy skies, passengers were treated to stunning aerial views of Scandinavia. A particular highlight was the vibrant sunrise over Sweden, which made the early-morning departure worth it.

Even though the flight was short, the serene beauty of the sky in the golden hour outside was enough to make the experience memorable. This was a flight worth savoring for those who appreciate a window seat.

This flight offers a brief but insightful glimpse into the airline's service for travelers curious about Ethiopian Airlines or those connecting to its African network. Would we fly with ET again on an intra-European route? Despite some hiccups, the answer is yes. 

Hopefully, they will be on ET’s Boeing 777-200LR next time, flying on selected European routes, including the ARN-OSL we took.