Seat selection on Ethiopian Airlines
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 990
Seat selection on Ethiopian Airlines
I have some upcoming flights (in October) with Ethiopian Airlines and I would like to know if it's possible to choose my seats in advance. I'm Star Alliance Gold.
Best,
Granite64
Best,
Granite64
#2
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 77
I don't have any status but flew them to JNB last September in biz class and was able to email them with a request, and they responded with a confirmation. I think if they can't fulfill the request they will try and seat you close by. If not to your liking you can reply with your preference and hopefully that will work.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 990
I don't have any status but flew them to JNB last September in biz class and was able to email them with a request, and they responded with a confirmation. I think if they can't fulfill the request they will try and seat you close by. If not to your liking you can reply with your preference and hopefully that will work.
Thanks! I will give that a try. ^
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 990
No I was not looking for special seating areas like they have on some US airlines I just wanted to pick a good window seat.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Not true. They will pre-seat *G in exit rows and bulkhead on request. They also block the seat next to *G on flights that are not full.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,665
I always wonder on the long hauls, it doesn't seem there are typically a lot of *G per flight in economy. Fairly often the purser comes around thanking *G members for flying ET and asks for suggestions, but I don't see them making a lot of stops in the cabin. The lounge though tells a different story.
#8
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Bonn, Germany
Programs: TK Elite, LH FTL
Posts: 647
Seat reservations on ET
1) ET allows seat reservations regardless of status - this can be requested by one's travel agent or, if booking directly with ET, be done online or at the ET office.
2) I have often been assigned exit row seats as a *G, even though I have never specifically requested them, so indeed ET seems to give some preference to status passengers.
3) ET flights are usually very, very full, so seat blocking rarely, if ever, works on ET. I was not aware that this is a benefit of *G on ET, but if it is, it is poorly enforced.
Hope this helps!
#9
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
ET flights are usually very, very full, so seat blocking rarely, if ever, works on ET. I was not aware that this is a benefit of *G on ET, but if it is, it is poorly enforced.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MAN
Programs: A3 Gold, KQ Gold
Posts: 103
Any other tips?
#12
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH Dia, WoH Exp
Posts: 2,673
Does Ethiopian Airline allow online seat assignment on long-haul business class award tickets? I tried to log onto their website's manage my booking, but could not figure out how to select seats in advance.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,665
You'll need to call, online seat selection is only for tickets booked via their website.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
I called to try and have the exit seats assigned and was told they are blocked and will only be unlocked at the airport. Seemed to make no difference when I highlighted to her that I am *G. I called from the UK to their global free number. The odd thing is that expertflyer shows 3 exit seats have already been assigned.
#15
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MAN
Programs: A3 Gold, KQ Gold
Posts: 103
Brilliant advice B747-437B, I called in and booked seats by specifying seat numbers. You have just saved me 2 hours by not having to go to the airport early. I am flying today, your message came through at the perfect time.
Thanks for the great advice.
Thanks for the great advice.