For those who doubted that I would ever fly on my Ethiopian BKK fare, I’m sorry to disappoint you. By the time this post goes live I’ll be traveling between Dublin and Los Angeles on an Ethiopian Airlines 787 Dreamliner in business class.
If you’re new to the saga, you can catch up here:
Another Note from Ethiopian Airlines Arrives
Ethiopian Called. Now They Want to Honor My Ticket…
The Last Battle with Ethiopian Airlines (+Videos)
Denied Boarding by Ethiopian Airlines at BKK
Update: I’ve Made it to Bangkok
On My Way to BKK to Confront Ethiopian Airlines!
Ethiopian Airlines Showdown: I’m Flying to Bangkok
Final Denial from Ethiopian Airlines (RE: Cheap Business Class Fare)
Ethiopian Airlines Writes Me Back! (RE: Cheap Business Fare)
My Letter to Ethiopian Airlines (RE: Cheap Business Class Ticket)
Update on Ethiopian Airlines $776 R/T Business Class Ticket
Will My $763 R/T Transpacific Business Fare Be Honored?
When we last left off, Ethiopian had agreed to my compromise: use the BKK-ADD-YYZ flight coupons to travel from DUB-LAX instead. I had proposed a travel date in July and had only heard back after the flight had departed.
Many suggested Ethiopian was pulling my leg and had no intention of honoring the fare. I figured Ethiopian Airlines was just unorganized and just needed another chance.
While flying Lufthansa First Class home from my trip to Europe over the last several days would have been lovely, I figured why not try to fly Ethiopian this time?
I wrote to Ethiopian on Sunday and received a response back yesterday (day before travel) accepting my new travel date and sending me the full itinerary for final approval before re-issue.
Hours later, I had a new e-ticket in my inbox. Thankfully, Aer Lingus had award space from Dusseldorf to Dublin and I was able to use 4,500 BA miles + $72 in taxes (versus paying $284) to get to Dublin last night.
A Lesson in Perseverance
I’m not patting myself on the back, but I honestly never truly doubted that I would ever not eventually fly this ticket. The incident in Bangkok was regrettable…not at all what I wanted..but it showed that I would not give up.
You can chalk this all up to my “blogger” status but I wasn’t a blogger when I got SWISS to honor two mistakes fares and Air Canada to honor another. It’s about persistence and perseverance.
CONCLUSION
We’ll see if the crew treats me special today. If so, it will surely dilute the review. But I doubt it. Ethiopian had only about 30 hours of notice and I don’t think my email was read until yesterday morning.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what the onboard experience is like on the new “best international airline”.
I don’t think Ethiopian Airlines has earned a lot of trust, but I’m thankful for finally being able to use my ticket.
Sorry, but you’re on a publicity flight, and you’re paying for it…
Just landed. It was no publicity flight…details coming.
Not saying that impedes the credibility of your review or the expected trainwreck experience, but they wanted to have you on board and you paid for it…
Great job Matthew! Bravo! Enjoy the coffee!
It’s like that southpark episode with the Yelp users. I just hope your food doesn’t come with “boogers and cum”
Great outcome.
Can I, however, nominate this sentence for the “most convoluted use of negatives” award this year?
“I’m not patting myself on the back, but I honestly never truly doubted that I would ever not eventually fly this ticket.”
Sorry, this time it’s because you’re a blogger. Not terribly instructive for those who are not. Yes, perseverance…
you are truly an asshole.
Every time I think you’re not a pompous jerk, you surprise me with another post like this. Of course you’re also delusional. “winning” would have meant traveling on your original trip on the original date.
You really are impressed with yourself, no?
Blogger status?? Wow, airlines in general must really fall over themselves with sheer giddy excitment for such a celebrity onboard.
I don’t think you offer enough evidence for a reasonable reader to conclude your blogger status didn’t influence this situation. It doesn’t feel believable and even if it was the average reader doesn’t have the time or resources to pursue this in the fashion you did. Thanks for providing the follow-up though.
One VERY big yawn on this story…..again
Suppose your readers are thankful the review is not over 2 years old….or will it???
Most of you guys who leave comments need to get a life! If you don’t appreciate what Matthew writes, spend your time reading something else.
Thanks, Matthew, for your blog! I’ve flown Ethiopian a number of times. Their planes are pretty new and their onboard service is generally OK. But the Addis Ababa airport is terrible. And almost all their connections in Africa require a layover there. That’s a deal breaker for me at this point…
Thank you.
Thanks for writing that Dan.
I can’t believe the amount of vitriol spewed forth from this one post. You’ve really got to be in sad shape spending time posting hate. . I’ve enjoyed Matthew’s blogs for years. Not everything is for me, but it’s not supposed to be. I certainly don’t distrust his motives or actions though. If you do, why would you keep reading?
Congrats! You finally get your flight.
Out of curiosity, can you make a comparison of maybe distance or fares between your original, suggested, the ine they purposedly made you missed and this one?
The biggest question is, was it worthed? All the effort, back and forth, etc. Is the quality really good?
Really appreciated your response since I’ve been following the saga and one of the pessimistic out there….
What wasted time reading your blog.
I flown Ethiopians many times my experiance and observation is different from yours. I see it is one of the best airline with good reputation. Reading some of your phrases I see you have a lot of unfulfilled ambition. Harry you won.
No one beleives your bluff. Sorry.