Which airline would U take Ethiopian or Kenya Air?
Nov 15, 2008, 9:33 pm
#1
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Which airline would U take Ethiopian or Kenya Air?
I will be in Cameroon and I need to go to South Africa. I want to fly into Jo-burg and I am not sure which airline to take. The only options that come up are Kenya Air and Ethiopian Airlines.
I have read reviews and KQ has a bunch of poor reveiws and the Ethiopian Air doesn't seem too great either?
Please help.
I would fly business if If I go on Ethiopian and I'm a SkyTeam Elite Plus if I go on Kenya Air.
Thanks
I have read reviews and KQ has a bunch of poor reveiws and the Ethiopian Air doesn't seem too great either?
Please help.
I would fly business if If I go on Ethiopian and I'm a SkyTeam Elite Plus if I go on Kenya Air.
Thanks
Nov 17, 2008, 4:06 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Stick to Kenya...
I've flown KQ a couple of times, and I wouldn't hesitate to fly with them again. It wasn't a mind-blowing experience, but got me there safely, comfortably (business class in the 767) and without hassle. Plus I got a bunch of miles for my trouble...
Nov 21, 2008, 11:08 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I flew a couple of flights on Ethiopian a few years ago. I was comfortable and I would definitely fly them again. The service was very pleasant and the FA's were all beautiful. The food was completely unrecognizable.
Nov 28, 2008, 8:53 am
#5
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This thread would probably be more fitting on the Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs board, and you'll probably get more answers there; hopefully a heads-up moderator can move it there. I've seen both raves and rants about both airlines. Having flown both, I'll say this:
Business Class
Generally speaking (well, always speaking, in my experience) ET business is cheaper, significantly, than KQ business, inter- and intra-Africa, so if your choice is ET biz vs. KQ biz, go with ET based on price. Since you're not flying long-haul, then getting a flat sleeper on KQ is out of the question for the routes you'd be flying. Both airlines have 1980's generation business seats (~40 inches of pitch, 2x2 layout on narrow-body aircraft, minimal-though-adequate recline considering the flight duration, etc.).
Steerage
If your choice is between ET steerage and KQ steerage, it's a tossup, as the service on both is more akin to US carriers, where they do the drink/meal service and then disappear. Food on KQ is more recognizable than ET. It cannot, however, be characterized as "delicious" by any means.
Let us know what you choose and how it went.
Will
Business Class
Generally speaking (well, always speaking, in my experience) ET business is cheaper, significantly, than KQ business, inter- and intra-Africa, so if your choice is ET biz vs. KQ biz, go with ET based on price. Since you're not flying long-haul, then getting a flat sleeper on KQ is out of the question for the routes you'd be flying. Both airlines have 1980's generation business seats (~40 inches of pitch, 2x2 layout on narrow-body aircraft, minimal-though-adequate recline considering the flight duration, etc.).
Steerage
If your choice is between ET steerage and KQ steerage, it's a tossup, as the service on both is more akin to US carriers, where they do the drink/meal service and then disappear. Food on KQ is more recognizable than ET. It cannot, however, be characterized as "delicious" by any means.
Let us know what you choose and how it went.
Will
Nov 28, 2008, 9:45 am
#6
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The ground handling/customer service experience might be more relevant than the inflight experience IMO. If there is a long delay in Addis or Nairobi, which airline is likely to be able to get you to Johannesburg quicker or to accomodate you in a more acceptable hotel? I've heard horror stories about the hotels ET has sent people to during ground delays and about the ability/willingness of ground staff to help when problems arise.
Nov 28, 2008, 1:14 pm
#7
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The ground handling/customer service experience might be more relevant than the inflight experience IMO. If there is a long delay in Addis or Nairobi, which airline is likely to be able to get you to Johannesburg quicker or to accomodate you in a more acceptable hotel? I've heard horror stories about the hotels ET has sent people to during ground delays and about the ability/willingness of ground staff to help when problems arise.
Will
May 21, 2009, 9:33 pm
#9
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What is the lounge situation like for ET? Ive flown KQ in Business and appreciated their small, but more amenity-rich lounge than the waiting rooms they throw the SkyTeam Elite Plus pax in at NBO.
Does ET have a nicer lounge at ADD? What lounge does KQ use for SkyTeam Elite Plus pax at ADD out of curiosity?
Does ET have a nicer lounge at ADD? What lounge does KQ use for SkyTeam Elite Plus pax at ADD out of curiosity?
May 22, 2009, 7:54 am
#10
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I just thought I'd mention this. More of interest than importance, but I think it's a cool story about Kenyan airways.
I flew Kenya Airways into Nairobi once. During landing they descended to only about 50 feet up, just about to touch down, but then had to abort last second, full throttle, heavy banking etc. The pilot said the GPS was out of sync with where the ground was, so the plane thought it was on the deck when still 50 feet up. Strange. Is this possible or was that the pilot making an excuse for something else?
I flew Kenya Airways into Nairobi once. During landing they descended to only about 50 feet up, just about to touch down, but then had to abort last second, full throttle, heavy banking etc. The pilot said the GPS was out of sync with where the ground was, so the plane thought it was on the deck when still 50 feet up. Strange. Is this possible or was that the pilot making an excuse for something else?
May 22, 2009, 9:48 am
#11
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I just thought I'd mention this. More of interest than importance, but I think it's a cool story about Kenyan airways.
I flew Kenya Airways into Nairobi once. During landing they descended to only about 50 feet up, just about to touch down, but then had to abort last second, full throttle, heavy banking etc. The pilot said the GPS was out of sync with where the ground was, so the plane thought it was on the deck when still 50 feet up. Strange. Is this possible or was that the pilot making an excuse for something else?
I flew Kenya Airways into Nairobi once. During landing they descended to only about 50 feet up, just about to touch down, but then had to abort last second, full throttle, heavy banking etc. The pilot said the GPS was out of sync with where the ground was, so the plane thought it was on the deck when still 50 feet up. Strange. Is this possible or was that the pilot making an excuse for something else?
May 25, 2009, 8:04 pm
#13
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I just thought I'd mention this. More of interest than importance, but I think it's a cool story about Kenyan airways.
I flew Kenya Airways into Nairobi once. During landing they descended to only about 50 feet up, just about to touch down, but then had to abort last second, full throttle, heavy banking etc. The pilot said the GPS was out of sync with where the ground was, so the plane thought it was on the deck when still 50 feet up. Strange. Is this possible or was that the pilot making an excuse for something else?
I flew Kenya Airways into Nairobi once. During landing they descended to only about 50 feet up, just about to touch down, but then had to abort last second, full throttle, heavy banking etc. The pilot said the GPS was out of sync with where the ground was, so the plane thought it was on the deck when still 50 feet up. Strange. Is this possible or was that the pilot making an excuse for something else?
May 29, 2009, 8:09 am
#14
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I fly KQ a lot and find them a very nice airline and my favorite in Africa. I even like them better than South African, but its close. I love their 777 business class seats which are completely flat. I'll be on one tomorrow night in fact.
Ethiopian I have heard horror stories about. If I did fly them, I would not touch the food or drink unless it was Coke out of a can or something like that.
Ethiopian I have heard horror stories about. If I did fly them, I would not touch the food or drink unless it was Coke out of a can or something like that.