NBO-LAX: Ethiopian or Turkish?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: The OC, LAX
Programs: UA, AA, QR
Posts: 47
NBO-LAX: Ethiopian or Turkish?
I am using my Mileage Plus miles to book a Business Class award from NBO to LAX. I see availability going via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian, and then travelling on Ethiopian or Turkish Airlines. Obviously the Turkish flight will have me changing planes in Istanbul.
As for seating and service, which airline has a better Business Class service? Have flown on many, but will be my first on either.
Thank you in advance.
Robbie
As for seating and service, which airline has a better Business Class service? Have flown on many, but will be my first on either.
Thank you in advance.
Robbie
#2
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
I am using my Mileage Plus miles to book a Business Class award from NBO to LAX. I see availability going via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian, and then travelling on Ethiopian or Turkish Airlines. Obviously the Turkish flight will have me changing planes in Istanbul.
As for seating and service, which airline has a better Business Class service? Have flown on many, but will be my first on either.
Thank you in advance.
Robbie
As for seating and service, which airline has a better Business Class service? Have flown on many, but will be my first on either.
Thank you in advance.
Robbie
#5
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: NEXUS, UA Club
Posts: 641
I haven't flown Ethiopian, but when I was booking flights and was researching both airlines, the TK product seemed superior to ET. Also TK had the benefit of lie flats vs ET (I know on TK this is route dependent but to LAX should be lie flats, I'm not entirely sure about ET). That being said, I ended up flying with TK and the service was fantastic, so I'd definitely give my vote to TK.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
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TK is pretty easy choice here. They can get you all the way to LAX, and the IST lounge is great. It would be painful to get on a domestic transcon after ADD-(FCO)-IAD, and the ADD lounge is not good.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
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As others have said - TK all the way. I did J HKG-ADD-GRU this summer on ET, and then GRU-IST-KUL on TK - and there simply was no comparison. And I even got lucky and had the flat beds on ET.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYS
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My Uncle who flies to TLV 3 times or more a year swears by TK and the lounge in IST. He purposely takes the big layover in order to spend more time in the lounge. Lie Flats and service on TK supposedly is on par with Asian carriers.
#9
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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The only issue is the 2-3-2 seating, but yes, on par with Asian carriers.
IST can be a shtshow on the ground, but they make up for it in the air.
In any case, either ET (if flat beds) or TK will be a significant improvement over UA.
IST can be a shtshow on the ground, but they make up for it in the air.
In any case, either ET (if flat beds) or TK will be a significant improvement over UA.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: DEN
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NBO-LAX: Ethiopian or Turkish?
I believe the NBO-IST leg is a 737, not lie flat. Return to NBO arrives at around 1:30am, so compare time too. However I would agree TK is great, even on a 737.
#12
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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I was searching for reward tickets a few months ago, and the combination of 737 plus Redeye really turned me off, as that is NOT a short flight. Pulled up my Google maps, and realized that while I'm pretty good at geography, Africa is larger than I realized
#13
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Switzerland
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Posts: 72
NBO-LAX: Ethiopian or Turkish?
A few points here:
1. Nbo -Lax is via add and dub. From Add onwards you'll be in a 787 which is not a bad option at all.
2. TK on a 737 is hell. Also the rules at Nairobi have changed and there are no flights after midnight now as far as I know.
3. The lounge in IST is good but don't think it is as earth shattering as everyone says but it's a personal choice thing I guess.
net net is I have tried TK and just last week bought a ET ticket where I had a choice between the two. I think there new 787 business class is worth a shot.
1. Nbo -Lax is via add and dub. From Add onwards you'll be in a 787 which is not a bad option at all.
2. TK on a 737 is hell. Also the rules at Nairobi have changed and there are no flights after midnight now as far as I know.
3. The lounge in IST is good but don't think it is as earth shattering as everyone says but it's a personal choice thing I guess.
net net is I have tried TK and just last week bought a ET ticket where I had a choice between the two. I think there new 787 business class is worth a shot.
#15
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
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Et ground services are even worse than tk, and they don't make it up in the air. The 737 would give me pause, but any non 787 service on et will be "cloud 9", which is no better.