Ethiopian Airlines

Planning for a vacation to Africa, then book your next flight with Ethiopian Airlines that offers 22 domestic destinations throughout Africa and North America and South America. 

Ethiopian Airlines is the largest airline in Africa in terms of passengers carried and destinations served, fleet size and revenue. Ethiopia Airline is the flag carrier of Ethiopia and is completely owned by the government of Ethiopia. Currently operating on 155 destinations throughout the globe with 145 aircrafts in fleet.  The airline is headquartered at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines Inflight Facilities

The airline brand itself with the motto of Bringing Africa Together and Beyond which signifies the fact that the airline caters to all masses of the African population. The  Ethiopian Airlines booking features two cabin classes including Economy and Business class. As a full-service carrier, the airline offers plenty of services to its passengers not just in Business Class but in Economy class as well. The services include complimentary meal services, ample baggage allowance and more.

Baggage Allowance

Ethiopian offers a generous baggage allowance which enables passengers to travel with plenty of baggage. However, there are certain regulations on baggage allowance for passengers.

Checked Baggage

The airline offers a generous checked baggage allowance to its passengers. Passengers are only allowed to carry total measurements of 62 inches including handles and wheels with a total weight of 23 kgs for economy class passengers and 32 kg for passengers travelling in Ethiopian Airlines business class. Passengers can purchase extra baggage either through the website or at the airport counter. However, passengers will also have to pay certain additional charges for baggage depending on the time and route of the flight.

Carry-on Baggage

The airline has a carry-on baggage allowance depending upon the cabin class that the customer has purchased. Passengers travelling in economy class can carry one carry-on bag while passengers travelling in business class can travel with 2 carry-on baggage. In addition, the carry-on baggage must not exceed 7 kg in weight and dimension of 23 x 40 x 55 cm. The airline advises passengers to travel with a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead rack or under your seat.

Excess Baggage Allowance

When it comes to additional baggage allowance, Sheba miles and Star Alliance members are entitled to carry extra baggage depending on their membership status. 

• ShebaMiles Platinum members can carry 2 additional bags of 23kg each, however, the maximum weight limit is 32kg . 
• ShebaMiles Gold and Star Alliance Gold members can carry 1 additional bag of 32 kg. 
• ShebaMiles Silver Members can carry 1 additional bag of 23 kg only. ‘
• ShebaMiles Blue members can carry additional baggage of up to 5 kg apart from their normal allowance.

Ethiopian Airline Check-in Methods

As per the check-in policy is quite flexible and offers multiple ways to check-in. Passengers can check-in 72 hours to 2 hours before the scheduled departure of both international and domestic flights. The easiest way to check-in is via the official website of the airline or you can complete check-in at the airport. The website can also be used to check Ethiopian Airlines flight status to know the location and information of the flight.

Online Check-in Guidelines

• Passengers who have electronic tickets can check-in online either via website or mobile application. 
• Only passengers who are travelling are eligible to check-in online. 
• If passengers are travelling with code share flights have to check-in at the respective websites of the airlines.

How to check-in online via the website?

• To check-in Ethiopian Airlines online, you must access the official website. 
• Navigate through the  homepage to select check-in. 
• Enter your reservation number, passenger name or frequent flyer number to retrieve the booking. 
• Select the sector of the flight that you want to check-in. Also simultaneously select preferred seats. 
• Add checked baggage and purchase additional if necessary. 
• Lastly, check-in to finish the process and download the boarding pass. 
• Print your boarding pass and proceed to the boarding gate if you don’t have any checked baggage to submit.

Web Check-in Restrictions

• Passengers who have requested for special service such as wheelchairs, extra seats, or  unaccompanied minors, pets in hold, stretcher are not eligible for Ethiopian Airlines check in online. 
• Passengers with luggage should arrive at the check-in counter to drop off their baggage at least 45 minutes prior to departure of domestic flight. 
• Passengers travelling on international flights must complete check-in formalities at least 60 minutes before the flight departure.

How to check-in through Mobile?

• Download the official application from the iOS store. 
• Login to the app with your credentials. 
• Insert your reservation number, flight number and last name to retrieve booking. 
• Choose the flight segment for which you want to check-in. 
• Choose your preferred seat and add the number of checked baggage. If in need of extra baggage, purchase additional baggage. 
• Lastly, pay the applicable fees, if necessary. 
• Click on Ethiopia Airlines check-in to complete the process and download your boarding pass digitally.

How to check-in at the airport?

Travellers who prefer to check-in at the airport can either use the self-service kiosk check-in or directly check-in at the airport.  

• The airline advises its passengers to reach the airport at least 2 hours before the scheduled Ethiopian domestic flight and 3-4 hours before the International flight.  
• Travellers can seek assistance from the staff present at the check-in counter at the airport related to anything from check-in, baggage, seat selection and more.
• Provide the necessary information like reservation number, flight number and last name to check-in. 
• Showcase your travel documents like passport, visa to complete security check-in Ethiopian Airlines. 
• Once your check-in is complete, the staff will hand you over the boarding pass. 
• Another way to check in for flight is to contact Ethiopian Airline customer service to seek assistance.

Ethiopian Airlines Cancellation and Refund

Ethiopian Airlines has a flexible yet strict cancellation policy that enables customers to cancel their flight without hassle. There are certain rules and regulations that you need to ensure before cancelling your Ethiopian flight. 

• Ethiopian Airlines offers a 24 hour cancellation policy which allows customers to cancel their booking  without penalty within 24 hours of making it. This is only applicable if the reservation has been made 7 days before the scheduled flight departure. 
• If the airline cancels or rescheduled your flight, then the airline will offer you an alternate flight as per Ethiopian Airlines cancellation policy. However, if the flight does not suit you, you can cancel the flight and demand a full refund. 
• If a passenger misses its connecting flight due to a delay then the passenger can demand either an alternate flight or complete refund.

Ethiopian Airlines Cancellation Fee

Ethiopian cancellation fee depends on the fare rules of the ticket purchased by the customers. If a passenger is holding a Flight Pass, then cancellation fee is : 

• For domestic flights within Ethiopian, the cancellation fee is $30 USD. 
• For flights to/from North America, the cancellation fee is $220 – $240 USD. 
• For flights to other destinations, the cancellation fee is $120 – $140 USD.

Ethiopian Airlines Refund Policy

• As per Ethiopian Airlines refund policy, all tickets are subject to applicable service fee.  
• Tickets purchased by travel credit card will be refunded within 7 business days while tickets purchased by cash may take 10 business days to get refund. 
• As per Ethiopian Airlines refund policy, all refund requests contain passengers name, flight number, address, credit card details, date of travel and departure-destination airport.

Frequently Asked Questions