Has anyone taken the new flight from Dulles to Addis on Ethiopian air? I have a client wanting to hear about it as he's thinking about using it as a connecting flight to Malawi. If you've taken it or know someone who has, how was the flight? I know it's a few hours shorter than the flight to Jo-burg, and a lot cheaper right now apparently. Any help/opinions would be appreciated.

Greg

Greg, were you able to get any info on this flight? I am wondering how well Ethiopian Air does with firearms in general, and also specifically in/out of Dulles. Thanks!

I will let y'all know in a few weeks.

Greg,

Took the Ethiopian Airlines 777 from Dulles to Addis in early January. Was not hunting, so no firearms, rather was going on the Juba in South Sudan. Flight was long but adequately comfortable, even traveling in cattle class.

Of note is that Ethiopian is in the process of becoming a Star Alliance Member so whatever frequent flier benefits of that body will accumulate.

Regards, Tim

Aaron Nielson took EA to CAR about two weeks ago. He will be home in 10 days or so. Ask him.

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
Aaron Nielson took EA to CAR about two weeks ago. He will be home in 10 days or so. Ask him.

Will do, I think he gets home tomorrow or Saturday, so I'll ask him. Thanks for the heads up.

Tim - Thanks for the update. The client will be traveling with guns, and went ahead and booked his flight. It's not until June, so I will ask Aaron to post a report on here when he gets back next week.

quote:

Originally posted by Greg Brownlee:
...Tim - Thanks for the update. The client will be traveling with guns, and went ahead and booked his flight. It's not until June, so I will ask Aaron to post a report on here when he gets back next week.

Greg,

I just returned from Zambia and I flew Ethiopean Airlines primarily due to cost. The flight wasn't bad but with a reasonably priced alternative I would choose Delta, SAA or British Airways. One minor gripe - no cocktails in coach.

One MAJOR gripe - Ethiopean Airlines and the Addis Ababa airport don't seem to be familiar with firearms. While double checking that my bags made the connection in Washington, the airline official said they may set my rifle case aside until I could produce a firearms permit for my final desitnation. Luckily they did not due this and just as luckily I was able to reach Andrew Baldry who emailed it to me while I was at the gate.

On my return, Addis Ababa officials pulled me out of the departure gate just as they were about to begin loading and said I needed to be present while they inspected my checked bag. They took me down into the bowels of the airport and there was my rifle case. I was instructed to open it and produce my firearms liscense. I gave them a copy of my Zambian firearms permit (despite already leaving Zambia) and they matched up the serial number but they still did not know what to do with this information. I sat there for over 30 minutes while they waited for a supervisor to say it was okay to load the firearm on the plane. They then questioned my about ammunition and started to demand to know where it was. I calmly explained that it was in my other bag that I checked with Ethiopean Airlines and that it was in a separate locked case within that bag. I figured I was staying the night for sure in Addis at this point, but the supervisor said all was ok and that they could load the case onto the plane. I made the flight but was one of the last people on the plane.

My suggestion would be to make sure your client has a copy of his firearms permit for which ever country he is traveling to before departure and to check in with airline officials to make sure the firearm makes any connections and be prepared to produce a copy of the liscense both before and after the hunt.

George