sam

Have Ethiopian released any news on how they plan to deploy their 787s since they have been reinstated? I am flying LHR - ADD - HRE end May. I thought that the ADD - HRE sector might be 787 as this was shown as the equipment on booking websites (with 767 for LHR - ADD). However when I emailed ET about another matter they said that, from May 8, 787 might serve LHR - ADD. This would suit me better as this is the longer sector and is overnight (also there are only 3 economy bassinet seats on a 767 and I'm taking twin babies).

simd

Looks like the 787 flies to HRE from May 16th:

http://airlineroute.net/2013/04/24/et-787-apr13update2/

Latest Boeing 787 schedule revision as follow.

Addis Ababa – Nairobi Boeing 787 to operate one-off service on 27APR13 as ET801/800 (Nairobi – Bujumbura sector is cancelled)
Addis Ababa – Frankfurt Boeing 787 service resumes (on this route) from 28APR13, instead of 15JUN13

The airline previously planned to resume Boeing 787 service on Addis Ababa – Dubai route from 25APR13, this is now cancelled. As of 24APR13, tentative Boeing 787 operation to Dubai as follow:
ET602/603: 26APR13*, 03MAY13 – 30MAY13
ET600/601 (ADD departure): 26APR13* / 27APR13, 02MAY13 – 30MAY13

*As of 0500GMT 26APR13, the airline has cancelled planned Boeing 787 operation for ET602/603 on 26APR13. ET600/601 continues to display Boeing 787 operation, however this remains subject to change. Once ET600/601 switches to other aircraft type, ET801/800 Nairobi service on 27APR13 is likely to be the first Boeing 787 commercial service resumption.

Previously planned Boeing 787 service re-entry dates:
Addis Ababa – Mumbai 15MAY13, 1 daily
Addis Ababa – Lusaka – Harare – Addis Ababa 16MAY13, 4 weekly
Addis Ababa – Rome – Washington Dulles – Addis Ababa 16MAY13, 2 weekly (5 weekly from 01JUN13; 787 service operates until 15JUN13 from ADD)
Addis Ababa – Harare – Lusaka – Addis Ababa 17MAY13, 3 weekly
Addis Ababa – Johannesburg 16JUN13, 1 daily

You should also get the 787 on the LHR-ADD leg:

http://airlineroute.net/2013/04/30/et-lhr-may13/

Ethiopian Airlines from 08MAY13 to 15JUN13 will be offering Boeing 787 service on Addis Ababa – London Heathrow route, where it’ll operate 6 weekly flights. Reservation for the Boeing 787 service opened today.

ET700 ADD0010 – 0650LHR 788 35
ET700 ADD0035 – 0715LHR 788 67
ET700 ADD0235 – 0915LHR 788 4
ET710 ADD1000 – 1510FCO1610 – 1750LHR 788 1

ET701 LHR2100 – 0700+1ADD 788 x2

jimyvr

Everything is changed again.

http://airlineroute.net/2013/05/07/et-787-may13update2/

787 to operate IAD and YYZ from 07MAY13 onwards (IAD till 15JUN13), LHR will not be getting 787 as planned, FRA temporary loses 787 service

johnnie198x

Could somebody help me clarify, does "Previous planned" mean "it was supposed to, but no longer is"?
I'm planning on ADD-JNB in late November, and on ANA award search, ADD-JNB was showing 787 last month, but it's now showing EQV. What does EQV mean?

sam

Equipment varies

johnnie198x

Thanks.
I wish there was a thank button so that I don't have to spam

B747-437B

I flew on ET-AOR last night from Addis to Mumbai as a late equipment swap (was supposed to be a 767, then a 777 and finally a 787). The aircraft is not in a good state at all. The extended period spent in storage shows - there were many issues with electrical systems (eg. call buttons that wouldn't reset, reading lights that stayed on the whole flight), the IFE for the entire aircraft failed about an hour into the flight and would not work despite many resets, lavatory doors that had sagging seals by the edges, etc...

I would not expend additional effort to fly on one of these in the future. The best aircraft in the Ethiopian fleet from a passenger comfort standpoint in Economy remains the 777, followed by some 767s (ALO/ALP) and then only the 787.

dfwrob

Travelled from HRE to JNB on MAy 16th. Spotted the Etiopian 787 at the gate next to ours.

kv99

that's really sad.

sam

I flew on a 787 add - hre last week. My experience was not as bad as b747-437b however it was not great. I was next to the toilet (my choice as I needed a bassinet) and I had the tell everyone the special kick on the lhs that was needed to open the door. Also there was really bad feedback on the pa. came back today on a 777 (my first time on an et 777) and this was much better (good ife and lots of legroom). Just about to get back on a 767. These are a bit dated (for ife) but the newer ones are relatively comfortable.

ORDflyr

That's really sad that the aircraft have been allowed to deteriorate so quickly. I flew the 787 with ET in December '12 and it was in great shape, other than the over tight seating. The IFE was a little buggy though, IIRC.

jimyvr

Correct.

imverge

hmmmm... I'm booked on ET502 in J, really looking forward to trying this aircraft. I will report back with my thoughts.

runnigel

I flew the 787 on May 22nd from ADD-HRE-LUN. I believe the plane was AOS and seemed to be in fairly good condition. Little scuffs here and there but nothing as bad as b747-437b experienced. AVOD worked fine but one overhead light did not shut off.

I was delayed an hour on departure due to a mechanical issue. We taxied to the runway, down the runway and off the runway. The pilots annoucement wasn't clear but I believe he said it was the radar(?) Only ended up being 20 minutes late to Lusaka.

Will be flying back in a couple weeks and hopefully can catch a different plane.

buckeye5

I flew the 787 "Queen of Sheba" from NBO to ADD and "Africa First" ADD-FCO-IAD, both in J class, on May 23. My experience was very positive. In both instances, I thought it was better than the 777. I do understand from other flyers (on this thread and with whom I spoke on my flight), that there is some variance depending on specific aircraft, among other things.