Quick TR on ET HKG-BKK
Since there are hardly any reports on Ethiopian Airlines, just sharing a quick synopsis from HKG-BKK.
12092014
ET 609
Dep 2150
Arr 0005 12102014
equip 767-300
Arrived in HKG on UA 869 from SFO on time at 2005 hrs at gate 23 with two companions, quick 5 min walk to the ET transfer counter to pickup new boarding passes, agent asked for baggage claim check and called the ramp to make sure bags were directed to the flight.
Passed through transit screening and upstairs to departures. One of my companions, who had never been to HKG before, thought he was dropped off in the middle of The Mall of America, had to stop at every store there.
Anyways I went on ahead on the train to Gate 61 and thats when the fun began. Got to the gate and found out that the departure time was moved from 2150 to 2130, good thing he had cell service as i had to call him and tell him to hustle to the gate in less than 10 mins.
Only 20 people including us boarded. The door closed at 2130 exactly and then nothing. We sat there at the gate until 2215, no explanation from the flight deck at all. Had exit row seats, plenty of legroom but the seats were a little narrow. Safety video was in Amharic and English, but no Cantonese.
10 mins after takeoff the cabin looked like the scene out of Airplane! the movie, you know, when they said "Assume crash positions!", one guy had his legs over the seat in front of him, another couple of guys stretched out with their legs hanging in the aisle, one lady even built a tent in her row.
Meal service consisted of either chicken or pasta, neither of which was appealing. Alcohol was served either in bottles or cans, but soda was dispensed from 2 liter bottles. IFE didn't work after they played the safety video either. Pilots made up time as we came into BKK only 10 mins late. Yes, the lady in the tent was indignant when she was made to dismantle it before landing. Only 5 of us disembarked in BKK.
My thoughts
767 was quiet
meal BLAH!
seat great legroom but the nonmoveable armrests made it a little tight
cabin crew good however English is obviously not a primary language for them