Ethiopian Airlines - Anxiety in Addis Abada

[Whit]

Ethiopian going through ADD SUCKS even without a gun. Booked direct with them and made 3 calls questioning connection time. Every call assured me no problem had enough time.
Missed connection and had to get hotel down town for 1 1/2 days. Put me in red light district and was scared to leave the hotel the whole time. Worst trip of my life.

I’ve actually flown through ADD three times (2018 & 2024) without issue. Once from Washington DC with a layover in Dublin, Ireland, and then on to Harare via Lusaka stopover, and then the return journey. Second time was from Frankfurt to Entebbe, Uganda with a layover in ADD. The security was a bit annoying, maybe one or two more checkpoints than normal, but we cleared everything quickly, and had no major hangups. I think our group had a couple of bags arrive late into Harare but it was not a major issue. I have never flown with weapons through the airport, but I would gladly go through ADD once more.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve only flown Ethiopian on one trip. Going to was fine. I was met off plane and all went well. The return trip it seemed every plane landed at 9 pm and airport was incredibly busy. No one was waiting for me. I was however able to find someone to help me and clear my rifle. I barely made flight but made it. It created a lot of stress. I’d fly Ethiopian again but I’d prefer not to. The serial number check in baggage handling is completely unnecessary. I will add though I’ve flown Qatar twice now. They will not accept firearms from partner airlines. Claiming bags and rifle and making it to a different terminal in Chicago or Dallas then finding someone who knows gun procedure is also a stressful experience. For most trips I’m going to fly to Johannesburg direct from US, overnight, and take airlink the next day to wherever I’m going. It’s a lot less stressful.

 

[375Fox]

Stories like this help cement my decision to forego hunting in Africa unfortunately.

Fly delta from Atlanta to Johannesburg then Airlink to your final destination. It doesn’t get easier. If this story scares you off you’re looking for an excuse. I’ve had significantly more problems with domestic travel than I ever have had with international travel, but there are certain routes and airlines I’d prefer to avoid if possible depending on where I’m heading.

 

[GuttormG]

Staffing at airports everywhere seems to be degrading in quality each time I fly.

I had the exact same thought this morning at Hamburg. 3rd world experience in the middle of Europe.

 

[Beck]

TIA!

 

[JimP]

Unless one is flying business I'd avoid travelling, at least in one's latter years.

Not all can afford business.

What happened to all the members on here that when I first joined were all touting economy for the flights over. Saying save the money on the flight and spend it on one or two extra animals?

 

[Andrew62]

Assume no firearms?

I was traveling with a rifle.

 

[Andrew62]

I’ve gone through Addis twice with guns. Yes, it is frustrating to have to go down to the street level baggage area and have guns inspected but your problem was not having enough layover time. I also don’t know why you waited for a bus unless you or your escort has trouble walking. It’s about a 7 minute brisk walk each way. It is also true that you have to do the inspection both ways. It is important to listen to Gracy and not local airline workers.

For any international layover anywhere, 1 to 1.5 hours is too short. If I don’t have other options on the same airline, I look for another airline or route.

We did try walking because it isn’t terribly far, about 30 seconds into that walk we were turned around by security.

The other issue is, in total, I asked 7 Ethiopian Airline employees for help and none would help me. At some point you realize you’re dead in the water.

Like I said in my report, I’ve flown through some of Africa’s most challenging airports, Douala 4 times, Addis takes the cake for most dysfunctional.

 

[Surgeon1]

I've flown Ethiopian 3 times including twice during covid when it was your only choice as all other airlines couldn't get you there! Used them 6 weeks ago into Uganda, definitely didn't go as smooth this trip. Finding someone who speaks English or German is nearly impossible. I've gone business class everytime I've gone to Africa and Qutar has always had a long layover for me and departing from anywhere but LA adds 12-24 hours to the trip!
If you request some one meet you at the plane arriving in ADD and have 2 hours it works well, less than that or having them unload you on the ramp and buss you to the terminal is iffy! In that case even if you are the last person off the plane insist to the crew that you have an escort to take you to the gun check!
For me using any flight that goes thru England or Germany is a no go!

 

[Sika98k]

Oh dear, this doesn’t make particularly good reading. I’m wheels up in eighteen hours to Windhoek via Frankfurt and, you’ve guessed it, Addis Ababa. Two hours forty minutes of a layover
My previous experiences have been ok. The security/ serial number check in the recesses of baggage handling are a PITA. Never missed a flight before. There’s always a first time.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Good luck!

 

[wesheltonj]

First trip to RSA with a gun, used a gun travel agent and ended up have to call BA myself for the gun. The agent entered the Airlink gun info. Should have done it all myself. BA is the easiest, but not cheap. Trip to Zambia via JNB. The Airlink flight was a code share with Qatar. F’ up me getting permission to carry the gun. I sent all the paperwork to Qatar in Qatar, would receive emails that it was received CS agent kept telling me it was in the system. It was not until I used the chat feature and chatted with an agent in Qatar did find out gun was denied. Because of the Airlink code share flight. Called Gracy and Debbie was able to get it approved. My upcoming trip is on Qatar to JRO, I just called Nicole at Gracy and let them get the gun approval. They also took care of my Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda eVisa’s.

Me flying on Qatar - using an agent. Flying BA - doing it myself. Would I fly Ethiopian, with a long layover - sure.

 

[Andrew62]

Oh dear, this doesn’t make particularly good reading. I’m wheels up in eighteen hours to Windhoek via Frankfurt and, you’ve guessed it, Addis Ababa. Two hours forty minutes of a layover
My previous experiences have been ok. The security/ serial number check in the recesses of baggage handling are a PITA. Never missed a flight before. There’s always a first time.

With that much layover time you should be in great shape!! Good luck to you on your hunt!!

 

[jamitchbikes]

If you know you know

 

[LivingTheDream]

I’m wheels up in eighteen hours to Windhoek via Frankfurt and, you’ve guessed it, Addis Ababa

I'm doing the same route on July. But not bringing a firearm.

For what it is worth, having gone through Addis a couple of times. If you go the business class lounge even if not business class, they will get someone to take you to clear your rifle.

 

[HUNTROMANIA]

There only coffee is good! Bad experience for me as well.

 

[Javaman]

Really sorry to hear this news - two of us booked Ethiopian Airlines through Gracy Travel, departing IAD through ADD to JNB with guns on May 19. Gracy has made no mention of the ADD issues described here, any special security concerns, no alert that the guns need to be checked at ADD baggage both ways, no concerns about the 90 minute layover. I have a note into Debbie about this and will be following up pronto as this MRI (Most Recent Info) does not sound positive - there is no way I’d be ok with 24 hours in ADD and certainly don’t want the stress and headaches described. Thanks for posting!

 

[Houston Bill]

I have flown on Ethiopian Arlines through ADD 4 or 5 times with my guns and never had an issue. Yes it is a bit frustrating going into the bowls of the airport to "re-check" your guns and Lord knows why they do this extra step, but I have never missed my connecting flights and I have had a few tight connections. I have always flown business class so maybe that helps. All but one time someone has met me at the plane and escorted me down to the luggage area. I always impress upon that person helping me clear the guns that we need to be quick about it so I make my flight and they always say that we will make the flight and I always have. I am flying Ethiopian to Cameroon in June with 1 hour 45 minute layover so I hope I don't have to overnight at ADD. I'll have my fingers crossed.

 

[Scott CWO]

That's why I fly Emirates and Qatar. My luggage gets checked in at LAX and I pick it up wherever my destination is in Africa. On my last flight with Qatar an airline employee met me at the gate at Harare, got my luggage and rifles and expedited me through the customs as well.

Qatar quit flying to Arusha and subbed out that leg to Oman Airlines just before we left. Oman wouldn’t take our rifles so we had to switch to Ethiopian and Addis.

 

[Scott CWO]

We did try walking because it isn’t terribly far, about 30 seconds into that walk we were turned around by security.

The other issue is, in total, I asked 7 Ethiopian Airline employees for help and none would help me. At some point you realize you’re dead in the water.

Like I said in my report, I’ve flown through some of Africa’s most challenging airports, Douala 4 times, Addis takes the cake for most dysfunctional.

Sounds like an overzealous security guard. I will avoid Addis when possible but on my last trip, it wasn’t possible.