Since Ethiopian Airlines launched flights from London Gatwick in November 2024, the airline has won a host of new fans who value its professional service, conveniently timed flights and expansive network offering good, seamless connections to key destinations across Africa.
The airline’s service out of London Gatwick operates four times a week, on a mix of Airbus A350s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which feature business class and economy cabins. Services are conveniently timed, with daylight flights out of London departing mid-morning, arriving Addis Ababa in the early evening, and a night flight on the return, arriving into London Gatwick just before 7am.
During the 7hr 45min fight, guests will experience the personal service that’s secured Ethiopian Airlines’ place as Best Airline in Africa for the last seven years at the Skytrax Awards. The airline has also been named Skytrax’s Best Business Class Airline in Africa and Best Economy Class Airline in Africa for six years in a row and last year won Skytrax’s award for Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Africa 2024.
Passengers receive a generous baggage allowance of 2 x 23kg in Economy and 2 x 32kg in Business Class, as well as 7kg hand baggage, with complimentary on-board food and drinks.
Ethiopian joined Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, in 2011, and members can use Star Alliance lounges at airports served by the carrier. Business class passengers, meanwhile, have access to the Cloud Nine Lounge in Addis Ababa, as well as quick check-in and the generous baggage allowance mentioned above. Ethiopian Airlines’ Sheba Miles frequent flyer programme is linked to the programmes of other Star Alliance airline members.
Ethiopian Airlines’ Addis Ababa Bole International Airport hub provides connections to more than 60 destinations across Africa, with seamless connectivity to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Entebbe, Lagos, Kigali, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mombasa, Lusaka, Johannesburg, Antananarivo and Cape Town all available from Gatwick. Further afield, guests can connect to more flights across Africa and the Indian Ocean, including Zanzibar, Mombasa and the Seychelles.
The airport’s domestic terminal was transformed in May last year, under a USD £50 million renovation, which upgraded the terminal by expanding its area twofold to 25,750 m2 and doubling capacity. Here, Ethiopian Airlines’ domestic operation serves more than 200 flights a day. The terminal has a modern security screening system, self-check-in desks and 22 check-in counters, all of which enhance the overall travel experience.
For connections across Africa that depart the next day, passengers are entitled to a free stopover, which includes a night at the five-star Skylight Hotel, or, for business class passengers, a night at the In-terminal Hotel, newly built airside in the terminal at Addis Ababa Airport.
London Gatwick V-P Aviation Development Stephanie Wear said: “We are delighted to be celebrating with Ethiopian Airlines one year operating from London Gatwick.
“Flying four times a week to its hub in Addis Ababa Ethiopian Airlines offers customers great comfort on board its A350 and B787 aircraft with significant onward connectivity across Africa.
“The airline has been a welcomed addition to our growing list of airlines and highlights London Gatwick’s success in attracting recognised long-haul carriers with growth ambitions. We look forward to working with Ethiopian Airlines for many years to come.’
