Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Ethoipian *G Lounge in ADD? Also any *G lounge in DAR?

I would assume that when ET joined *A, they would have had to make one of their lounges a *G lounge, however a search on the *A website doesn't list anything in ADD.

I know for Business Class they have the Cloud 9 Lounge and it seems there is a Sheba Miles Lounge for their own members, nothing yet listed for *G though.

Anyone been through ADD since ET joined *A and is there now a *G lounge?

Also will be in DAR, can only find the Tanzanite Lounge but no specific info, is this a *G lounge or is there any other *G lounge there?

ADD but not DAR listed here: http://www.starallianceemployees.com/fileadmin/reference_guide/rg_destinations_with_lounges.1.html

There is a Cloud Nine Star Lounge - and it can be found on the website if you dig.
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/3817/addlounge.png (http://img826.imageshack.us/i/addlounge.png/)

It's not supposed to be too fancy.

Thanks for that link worldtraveller73. Good to see it's the Cloud Nine lounge, I've also heard it's nothing fancy but at least is supposed to have wi-fi and a bit of food. The other lounge (for ET's own Silver and Gold members) sounded like it has fewer amenaties.

Will likely be stuck there for several hours, as the connection from DAR to BKK is long enough to leave, but it's not at a terribly convenient time of night to be roaming around outside the airport in an unfamiliar African city.

I believe there are some photos of the lounge floating around the Trip Reports site.

The link was from the Star Alliance employees handbook that is also circulating around the internet.

Regards,

Thanks for that link worldtraveller73. Good to see it's the Cloud Nine lounge, I've also heard it's nothing fancy but at least is supposed to have wi-fi and a bit of food. The other lounge (for ET's own Silver and Gold members) sounded like it has fewer amenaties.

I have been to the Cloud Nine lounge in ADD about 15 times in the last three years. It is indeed nothing fancy, but then most lounges in Africa do not amount to more than a few comfortable seats, internet and some food. I think the lounge is actually not that bad, it is open 24 hours and there is a separate room (on the left side when you enter the lounge), where you can actually get a couple of hours of sleep on a kind of recliner chair. No pillows etc. provided, but when I got there at 5am last Monday after a 3am departure from NBO, it felt like heaven. The lounge also offeres reasonable WiFi and a decent selection of snacks. Recently, I have also noted the presence of the International Herald Tribune (although a day late). While there certainly are nicer lounges in Africa (KQ's business class lounge in NBO and a few in South Africa), I think the Clound Nine lounge (which is*G now) in ADD is more than ok and it certainly beats sitting in the public areas for hours..

Just returned from my trip. Can confirm the Cloud 9 Lounge is indeed the *G lounge.

ADD actually has 2 terminals, and the ADD-DAR flight is in the "other" terminal so was not allowed to use the better Cloud 9 lounge in the main terminal on the outbound. The one in the smaller terminal was much lower quality than the main terminal lounge, but yeah, better than the public areas. Wi-fi was painfully slow, but this was true everywhere I went in east Africa on this trip.

Used the main termainl Cloud 9 lounge on the return. Wi-fi even slower... Much more food on offer, nicer restrooms, more seating. Enjoyed the lounge chair room listed above and ended up dozing off a few times. Nearly missed my flight though, because the announcement says first "Proceed to gate" which means you have to go to the gate and sit. Then changes to "Boarding" but that seems to be a fast process and there is no final call, etc. later. The security line was unusually long because a huge group (200 or so maybe) of ladies were on a tour group going in at the same time for a later flight. Finally was told to skip the line and jump to the front becasue everyone elese was already on board the plane... this was less than 10 mins after the status actually changed to "Boarding". So in ADD, you'll want to make sure you actually go to the gate when they say "Proceed to Gate".

Last point of note, if you're carrying your international plug adapters, the main terminal uses the British style plug found elsewhere in East Africa, but the smaller terminal lounge uses EU style (round pin) plugs. Had to buy one in the shops nearby because I wasn't carrying that style for this trip.

Also, as mentioned above, Tanzanite Lounge in DAR will not admit *G. Business and First Class only.