Ethiopian expands Washington service

For decades (ever since its technical alliance with TWA) Ethiopian Airlines has been considered as one of Africa’s most adept airlines – a world-class competitor.

Now, there is word that Ethiopian is expanding its Washington, D.C. Dulles (IAD) service. Where there were three weekly round-trips between IAD and Addis Ababa (ADD), there are now four.

That fourth flight is important, because it opens up more connection opportunities across the carrier’s extensive African and Middle Eastern network for U.S. travelers. From now on, Ethiopian Flight 501 will depart on a bifurcated basis from Washington Dulles.

On Thursdays and Saturdays the flight pushes back from the gate at 7:30pm, and arrives at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport at 6:05pm the next day. Mondays and Wednesdays, Flight 501 departs Dulles at 10:10am, and gets to ADD at 8:45am the following day.

Underscoring Ethiopian’s technical prowess is the fact that the carrier will be among the first airlines on the planet to fly the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The twin-engine, intercontinental craft - constructed largely of composite material instead of metal - is due to start scheduled service in 2008.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler