Which is the longest route in the carrier’s extensive network, 7,702 miles long?
SUMMARY
- Ethiopian Airlines operates one of Africa’s largest air travel hubs from Addis Ababa Bole Airport.
- Some of the longest routes require refueling stops due to the airport’s high altitude.
- Key long routes include Atlanta to Addis Ababa, Chicago to Addis Ababa, and Toronto to Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Airlines was founded in December 1945 and has since grown to become Africa’s largest airline by passengers carried today. From its hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), the carrier also boasts one of the world’s most extensive route networks, reaching 136 international destinations, from Chicago (ORD) in the west to Tokyo (NRT) in the east. According to data for May 2024 from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, what are Ethiopian Airlines’ longest routes?
Photo: Boeing
Before starting the list, it is essential to note that some of the carrier’s longest routes do not operate directly from Addis Ababa. This is because Bole International Airport is one of the highest commercial airports in the world, located at an altitude of around 7,700 ft, which impacts aircraft take-off performance. The flights are, therefore, required to perform a technical stop to refuel en route. Ethiopian Airlines used Dublin Airport (DUB) for many of these stops, but last year, they changed the routing to stop at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) instead.
READ MORE:
Ethiopian Swaps Dublin For Rome For North American Route Technical Stops
Ethiopian Airlines will now stop in Rome on four routes to the US and Canada.
5Addis Ababa (ADD) – São Paulo (GRU)
6,171 miles
Ethiopian Airlines connects Addis Ababa with the largest airport in South America with daily flights. In May, the carrier will offer 10,633 seats each way between the two cities, with flights operated by the Airbus A350-900.
Photo: Rebius | Shutterstock
The flights, which are 6,171 miles long, are scheduled with a block time of 12 hours and 30 minutes, and after a 75-minute layover on the ground in São Paulo, they continue to Buenos Aires (EZE). Ethiopian Airlines is the sole route operator to São Paulo and Buenos Aires.
4Toronto (YYZ) – Addis Ababa (ADD)
7,154 miles
Ethiopian Airlines’ daily flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Addis Ababa depart from the Canadian city at 10:45, touching down at Bole International Airport some 13 hours and 40 minutes later, at 07:25 the following day. The Addis Ababa to Toronto sector is operated via Rome (FCO).
In May 2024, the carrier will offer 10,633 seats on the route, with flights operated by the Airbus A350-900. Ethiopian Airlines’ A350s can each carry up to 348 passengers in a two-class configuration – 30 in business class and 318 in economy class. The airline does not face any direct competition on the route. However, several one-stop options are available from the likes of Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Egyptair via their respective hubs at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Istanbul Airport (IST), and Cairo International Airport (CAI).
3Washington (IAD) – Addis Ababa (ADD)
7,193 miles
Ethiopian Airlines flies once daily between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Bole International Airport (ADD), offering a total seat capacity of 9,703 throughout May 2024. The 7,193-mile-long flights are operated by the Boeing 787-9, which can accommodate up to 30 passengers in business class and 285 in economy class.
Photo: Hafit Irawan | Shutterstock
The service has a block time of 13 hours and 15 minutes on the way to Addis Ababa, with the westbound sector operating via Rome (FCO). In addition to Emirates and Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways provides competition through a one-stop option via the award-winning Hamad International Airport (DOH). Ethiopian Airlines also operates flights to Washington, DC, from Lomé-Tokoin International Airport (LFW) in Togo.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Ethiopian Airlines Sees 30% Rise In Passengers As Demand Grows By 8.1% For African Airlines
African carriers continue to see growth in demand for air travel.
2Chicago (ORD) – Addis Ababa (ADD)
7,577 miles
Ethiopian Airlines’ direct flights from Chicago to the capital of Ethiopia are the second-longest flights in the carrier’s route network and operate six times per week (with no service on Fridays). The airline deploys a mixture of Boeing 787-8s and 787-9s on the route, offering a total seat capacity of 7,708 throughout May 2024. Like Ethiopian Airlines’ Toronto and Washington routes, the westbound sector stops in Rome for refueling en route to Chicago.
1Atlanta (ATL) – Addis Ababa (ADD)
7,702 miles
The longest flights in Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive route network are from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Bole International Airport (ADD), with a length of 7,702 miles. The carrier will operate 15 flights in May 2024, offering a total seat capacity 4,093. Flights depart from Atlanta (the busiest airport in the world) at 10:50 and arrive in the Ethiopian capital at 08:05 the following day, making for a block time of 14 hours and 15 minutes.
Image: GCmap
Ethiopian Airlines has been a member of Star Alliance since December 2011 and has codeshare agreements with numerous carriers worldwide, including Malaysia Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Azul, and Oman Air. Data from ch-aviation shows that Ethiopian Airlines currently operates a fleet of 137 aircraft. This is due to expand significantly over the coming years thanks to several outstanding orders, including:
- 11 x Airbus A350-900s
- 34 x Boeing 737 MAX 8s
- 8 x 777-9s
- 11 x 787-9s.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
More Flights: Analyzing Ethiopian Airlines’ Record North American Summer Network
Never has it had so many passenger flights to North America.
Have you flown on any of Ethiopian Airlines’ five longest routes? Do you see the carrier launching any new long-haul routes in the future? Comment below to share your thoughts and experiences.