Ethiopian Airlines Touches Down in Atlanta from Addis Ababa

Updated: May 19, 2023, 8:28am CDT

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Ethiopian Airlines Now Flying Between Atlanta and Addis Ababa
Final Thoughts

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Wednesday, May 17, 2023, saw the arrival of Ethiopian Airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for the very first time.

The Ethiopian flag carrier’s inaugural flight took off from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa (ADD) for Atlanta via a stop in Dublin, Ireland (DUB), landing ahead of schedule at 8:39 a.m.

Here’s what we know about this exciting new route.

Ethiopian Airlines Now Flying Between Atlanta and Addis Ababa

Thanks to fifth-freedom rules, airlines can often fly between two other countries that aren’t out of their main operating country. In the case of Ethiopian Airlines, the carrier departed from its major hub in Addis Ababa (ADD), dropping off and picking up passengers in Dublin (DUB), before heading to its final destination of Atlanta (ATL).

Ethiopian Airlines Flight Schedule

The routing via a 50-minute stop in Dublin (DUB) brings the outbound’s total travel time to around 18 hours. Additionally, the inbound to Atlanta (ATL) will operate 4x weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with the following schedule:

Depart Addis Ababa (ADD) 10 p.m. — Arrive Dublin (DUB) 4:20 a.m. (+1)
Depart Dublin (DUB) 5:10 a.m. — Arrive Atlanta (ATL) 9 a.m.

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On the return leg to Africa, the flight operates nonstop from Atlanta (ATL) back to Addis Ababa, meaning the journey time around 4 hours quicker than in the opposite direction. The outbound will leave Atlanta (ATL) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with the following schedule:

Depart Atlanta (ATL) 10:50 a.m. — Arrive Addis Ababa (ADD) 8:05 a.m. (+1)

Ethiopian Service to Atlanta from Addis Ababa via Dublin — Map of Ethiopian Airlines’ new route from Addis Ababa via Dublin to Atlanta and nonstop back to Addis Ababa. Image Credit: Great Circle Mapper

The route will be operated by one of the airline’s fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This aircraft has the capacity for up to 270 passengers. However, the 24-seater business class cabin on these specific aircraft is very outdated, given the seats don’t fully recline. Plus, not every passenger has direct-aisle access, given the 2-2-2 configuration.

To give you an idea of cost, the cheapest economy round-trip fares we’re seeing start from $1,309 on Mondays from August 2023 through April 2024.

Final Thoughts

The arrival of African carrier Ethiopian Airlines is a testament to Atlanta’s reputation as an important global travel hub. Ultimately, the new year-round flights to the Ethiopian capital city will bring important business and leisure travel opportunities to those living at both ends of the route.