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ET Cloud 9 experience - 787-8
Long time lurker and poster in the USA forums, but a rare opportunity to fly ET came up.
Two of us are planning a trip in 2027 on a United Award Ticket - EWR-BKK. When doing a simulation vacation for 2026, I found an ET BKK-ADD-LFW-EWR Cloud 9 award for 100k miles. (ADD-LFW-EWR is a direct flight). All other UA routings were 250k miles at minimum. While I admit this is a year earlier than I need, I'm considering looking for this routing when I book later this year. I realize there would be some sacrifices when flying ET vs UA, but I thought the price might make it worth those sacrifices, and thought it would be cool to fly through African airspace and view some of the African landscape. Also, the 1am departure from BKK allows us to leave a day later (really about 12 hours later) and enjoy another evening in Bangkok. Both flights (BKK-ADD and ADD-LFW-EWR are on 787-8s. The ADD-LFW-EWR is a Direct flight. I see ET uses both BE Diamond seats and Aura Light seats on their 787-8s. Both versions have the same J and Y seat counts, so they are fully interchangeable. A few questions: 1. What's everyone's take on the Aura Lite seat? I hear it only goes down to about 60º flat. Is it still comfortable? 2. After being used to United, what can I expect as far as an ET Cloud 9 experience? 3. How does ET's catering compare to UAs? 3. Am I correct in assuming that we could get either the Aura Lite or the Diamond seat? Neither of us sleep on planes, but we still want to be comfortable. Normally wifey watches movies on planes and looks out the window. I usually work on my computer, processing my pictures, etc. After watching a few YT videos and checking out their website, I already gather that ET is a bit "flakey." For example, multiple reviewers stated that the safety video looked like a 1960s video. ET's website has a YouTube video that was removed by Youtube for violating Ts and Cs. Can anyone provide insight? While the question of "is it worth is" is subjective, would you do it if you were in my shoes? |
I would expect to see Lome flights shifted back to JFK as Newark will no longer be an approved entry port for most African citizens effective the end of January 2026 as per the US Presidential Executive Orders. The Newark services are likely to be nonstop morning departures to Addis instead. If that's a dealbreaker for you, plan accordingly.
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I can sleep in the 788 angled lie-flat seats, no problem. I also don't have to struggle to get my large feet to fit in the tiny footwells that are found in their planes with lie-flat seats. I would be comfortable. Others on this forum hate the angled lie-flats. There's lots of information in https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe......-seats.html.
The Cloud 9 experience is just fine. There's nothing to be concerned about. The food is better compared to United, and there's lots of it. You won't go hungry. Addis is a bit chaotic at times, but the airport works. If you end up with a layover in Addis between 8 and 24 hours, Ethiopian will pay for a hotel for you -- see https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...d-layover.html |
For the mileage difference, take ET. I like their service, it's not rushed like a US carrier because the business cabins are smaller, the food is very good, and you can try some Ethiopian wines. Some reds are quite good. I don't have a problem sleeping on their angled lie-flats.
If you have never transited in ADD, that will also be an experience for you. It's amazing the number of people you see due to ET's banked flights, and ET is proactive looking out for people with tight connections. |
It's been a while since I flew them, but I don't remember United being anything special. ET are a perfectly good carrier, no hostile crew as you sometimes find with US carriers. The catering is decent in quality and high in volume, if you are open to try Ethiopian food ex ADD it's enjoyable. Good coffee too. They aren't the most polished carrier but everything works just finel IME. As noted above ADD can be pretty hectic but it works well and they are very good at ensuring you make connections.
I certainly wouldn't hesitate to fly them. |
Originally Posted by B747-437B
(Post 37531692)
I would expect to see Lome flights shifted back to JFK as Newark will no longer be an approved entry port for most African citizens effective the end of January 2026 as per the US Presidential Executive Orders. The Newark services are likely to be nonstop morning departures to Addis instead. If that's a dealbreaker for you, plan accordingly.
Thanks all for the opinions. It sounds solid. Just 1 question: Are the Aura and Diamond aircraft used interchangeably, or is one type dedicated on a particular route? |
Originally Posted by phkc070408
(Post 37532951)
Wouldn't be a dealbreaker for us, but might make the award unavailable with UA miles. It was only offered once this season, so hoping it's even available next year. Maybe searching for a JFK arrival would open some opportunities up.l
Thanks all for the opinions. It sounds solid. Just 1 question: Are the Aura and Diamond aircraft used interchangeably, or is one type dedicated on a particular route? |
Originally Posted by Swanhunter
(Post 37532868)
As noted above ADD can be pretty hectic but it works well and they are very good at ensuring you make connections.
I certainly wouldn't hesitate to fly them. |
People complain about transfer in ADD, but there is fast track for Gold/Business. The lounge is great with many food options (maybe not much space to sleep) but for sure better then UA clubs. Food onboard is also great and pro-active service from most crews. Only issue is which seats you get. I flew recently on the 788-angled seats and I think the bigger problem is the lack of space, i.e. you really feel traveling with the person next to you. If you are traveling in groups of 2, maybe it's fine.
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Well, I looked at the JFK option and there are several ET options for this year at 110,000 UA miles. Definitely something to keep in mind.
Since we'd be traveling to EWR via Amtrak from the south, going to JFK is only one more train than going to EWR. Might be worth the change of pace for a great price. And thanks for the pics. Very helpful. |
I'll just add to what everyone else has been saying here. I like ET, it's quirky, especially ADD itself, but the crew are almost always fabulous and attentive, something you can't always say for UA crew especially after meal service is finished. I've flown business on just about every plane type they have and the angled 787 seat is by far my least favorite, I managed ORD-ADD on it last year and slept a good portion of the flight. Look out for IAD availability, it uses the new A350-1000, which has sliding door suites. Might be worth heading over to DC instead of NYC to depart.
As others have said, the food is generally pretty tasty, you get an option of a selection of Ethiopian dishes on long haul service from ADD (used to be regional too, but not anymore). Transit in ADD is a breeze on the Gold Track lane. But be warned on your return to the US, officially no liquids allowed past the secondary screening before your gate, including sealed duty free. If you are taking duty free you might have to 'convince' someone to allow it past. But the only reason to even attempt it is if you're taking some of the Ethiopian liquor, otherwise prices aren't much better than in the US. I took some of the gin last year, it wasn't unique enough that I'd go through the trouble again. The lounge in ADD is pretty decent actually though gets crowded at times, but I think this will be remedied soon. It looks like they are currently renovating the old *G lounge next door and my best guess is the two will be joined together as a giant Cloud 9 lounge. The *G lounge got moved a couple hundred meters away (it's also a huge space but wasn't planned well, nearly zero power points, bar / alcohol only available after noon, etc.). |
Originally Posted by dvs7310
(Post 37566179)
Look out for IAD availability, it uses the new A350-1000, which has sliding door suites. Might be worth heading over to DC instead of NYC to depart.
I'm in the NYC area. I fly from both Newark and JFK regularly. However, I wanted to fly from IAD for my Tanzania safari for this reason. It was worth the extra leg with no hesitation. EWR to IAD is in United economy, but at least I'm on the A350-1000 from IAD to ADD in business. ADD - JRO is in J as well. EWR - IAD - ADD - JRO was all one ticket for 88,000 UA miles. |
What is the current situation with transit at ADD? Is checked baggage still at greater risk of theft? I have also heard about rude staff at the gate security check who simply demand expensive items, otherwise you won't be allowed to fly.
Goldtrack sounds good Until now, this has always deterred me from flying with ET, but it doesn't seem to be that bad, does it? |
Originally Posted by fvn1312
(Post 37576836)
What is the current situation with transit at ADD? Is checked baggage still at greater risk of theft? I have also heard about rude staff at the gate security check who simply demand expensive items, otherwise you won't be allowed to fly.
There are very very severe consequences for staff caught engaging in any sort of pilferage or theft, so I would be shocked to hear of a spate of any such instances. |
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