I’m home again. Yesterday I flew from Dublin, Ireland to Los Angeles on Ethiopian’s Fifth Freedom flight aboard a 787-8. It was my first time ever flying Ethiopian Airlines. How was it? A mixed bag, but good overall. I checked in at 5:30a, finding a mostly deserted check-in line. I figured there would be a […]
I Win! I’m in the Air…on the Ethiopian Airlines Sale Fare
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: Ethiopian […]
Best International Airline…Ethiopian Airlines?!
On the heels of its 2017 Skytrax award for Best Airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines took home an even bigger crown yesterday…Best International Airline of the Year. …From the 2nd annual Ghana National Aviation Awards in Accra. Oh. So perhaps we take yesterday’s award with a grain of salt and just discuss Ethiopian Airlines for a moment. […]
Ethiopian Airlines Accepts My Compromise…Sort Of
For those who followed along my denied boarding saga on Ethiopian Airlines, you’ll recall that the issue has never been resolved. While Ethiopian Airlines did agree to honor the ticket, their initial offer — come back to BKK and fly it — that was quite unsatisfactory because of the cost and time to re-position myself back to Bangkok. […]
Another Note from Ethiopian Airlines Arrives
Ethiopian Headquarters has contaced me via e-mail concerning the $763 Bangkok fare. As I evaluate how to proceed with Ethiopian, I do wish to be transparent and post all correspondence. Having led you through this saga, it is only fair. Here’s the note: Dear Mr. Matthew, This has reference to the ticket case which you […]
Ethiopian Called. Now They Want to Honor My Ticket…
I thought our story was over, but it just took one more unexpected twist. Today I received a call from Tadesse, the Ethiopian Airlines Bangkok station manager I praised for handling my situation as well as he could. I didn’t answer it, but he left a short message saying to call him back. Laos is […]
The Last Battle with Ethiopian Airlines (+Videos)
I have to admit, deep down in my heart I thought I’d be able to convince Ethiopian to honor my ticket. After all, they honored the ticket of another persistent passenger and the path of least resistance would have been to shut me up and place me in a half-empty business class cabin. But that […]
Denied Boarding by Ethiopian Airlines at BKK
Our story does not have a happy ending: Ethiopian refused to budge and I’m still in Bangkok. I’ll provide the play-by-play tomorrow, and have video as well, but I think this whole debacle can be summed up in one picture: That’s Tadesse Meskel, Ethiopian’s Bangkok Station Manager. He’s staring at a computer reading notes about […]
On My Way to BKK to Confront Ethiopian Airlines!
I’ve checked out of the Park Hyatt and am on my way to Suvarnabhumi Airport for a showdown with Ethiopian Airlines. I want to lay down some rules for what could turn into a feisty engagement. By recording them here first, I trust that will keep me more accountable if things do not go my way. […]
Ethiopian Airlines Showdown: I’m Flying to Bangkok
I went back and forth in my mind all week about whether to take a planned trip to Bangkok this weekend. It is increasingly unlikely that Ethiopian will honor my business class ticket. But I’m going anyway! I have an ulterior motive for going to Bangkok: the new Park Hyatt has just opened and I want […]
Final Denial from Ethiopian Airlines (RE: Cheap Business Class Fare)
Ethiopian Airlines’ latest reply to my appeal to honor a $763 r/t business class ticket from Bangkok to Toronto is another attempt to stonewall. This whole exercise is becoming more for sport rather than seriousness. I’m about to pull the plug on this. But I just cannot yet. As planned in my previous post, Here’s the letter […]
Ethiopian Airlines Writes Me Back! (RE: Cheap Business Fare)
If you’ve been following my saga with Ethiopian Airlines, you’ll know that I have been fighting to get Ethiopian to honor a $763 r/t business class ticket between Bangkok and Toronto. After letting my booking sit for many weeks, Ethiopian promptly cancelled it without notice. Money was never refunded, though I did receive a note back advising me […]
My Letter to Ethiopian Airlines (RE: Cheap Business Class Ticket)
I’ve kept you updated on my “saga” with Ethiopian Airlines concerning a $776 round-trip ticket from Bangkok to Toronto in business class. Now I need your help. With the travel date quickly approaching, I’ve composed the letter below in response to this letter received from Ethiopian Airlines. Dear Ethiopian Airlines, I am in receipt of […]
Ethiopian Airlines Contacts Me (RE: “Wrong” Fare)
Ethiopian Airlines has now reached out to me concerning the $776 r/t Bangkok to Toronto fare. It was just two days ago that I wrote my ticket had been cancelled, though had heard nothing from the airline. Now this arrived via e-mail– Dear Valued Customer, Upon careful assessment, we have determined your ticket was done […]
Update on Ethiopian Airlines $776 R/T Business Class Ticket
Here’s an update on my Ethiopian “discount” business class ticket. If you recall, I took advantage of a great $776 r/t fare in business class on Ethiopian Airlines from Bangkok to Toronto. I have a trip to Bangkok coming soon so this was a perfect return not just in price, but to get back to North […]
Breaking: Hijacking on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 702
No media has picked up this story yet, but after a failed hijack attempt earlier today, it appears Ethiopian Airlines Flight 702 from Addis Ababa to Rome was successfully hijacked and after circling Geneva for two hours, has landed. Geneva airspace is now closed with incoming flights diverted to nearby airports. Listen to Geneva ATC here. […]
Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner Catches Fire at London Heathrow
More problems for Boeing’s 787 program, this time in London: An internal fire broke out on Friday on a Boeing 787 that Ethiopian Airlines had parked between flights at London’s Heathrow Airport, the airport said. The plane was in a remote area, and no passengers were on board. But the airport temporarily suspended arrivals and […]
Ethiopian Airlines to Join Star Alliance
A third carrier from the African continent is slated to join Star Alliance by the end of 2011. Ethiopian Airlines, which flies to 59 destinations (including 39 in Africa), will give Star Alliance passengers a major boost in African coverage. Ethiopian Airlines is hubbed at Addis Ababa but features a variety of interesting Fifth Freedom […]
Review: United Airlines 767-300ER Business Class London – Chicago
I already offered my take on this flight, but want to lay out a few more details about what to expect onboard a United Airlines 767-300ER in business class. It also turns out my pre-flight delay was an omen of the sort of problems United is currently facing on multiple fronts. United Airlines 767-300ER Business […]
Reasonable Question: Is The 737 Max Safe?
Following yet another incident, most recently on Friday night, reasonable questions about one of Boeing’s most controversial planes are being asked: Is the 737 MAX safe? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. […]