Ethiopian Honored with China’s Great Wall Award

Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of its ninth Boeing 787 Dreamliner, christened “Great Wall of China.” The new Dreamliner will support the carrier’s service between Addis Ababa (ADD) and Hong Kong, enhancing capacity and passenger comfort on that route.

“For almost seven decades, Ethiopian has played a pioneering role in African aviation by providing customers with the most technologically advanced aircraft available,” said Tewolde Gebremariam, group chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group. “We will continue to expand our 787 network to offer travelers the highest level of onboard comfort.”

With this delivery, Ethiopian maintains the largest 787 fleet in Africa, operating the type on a mix of mid- and long-haul routes that link Africa with destinations in China, India, Brazil, the United States and Europe. The Dreamliner in Ethiopian’s fleet features a two-class cabin layout, including 24 business-class seats, designed to improve the passenger experience through modern amenities, improved cabin pressurization and enhanced fuel efficiency.

The expanded 787 fleet supports Ethiopian’s strategy to grow international connectivity from its Addis Ababa hub, offering more frequent options and improved schedules for both leisure and business travelers. The aircraft’s range and fuel efficiency enable Ethiopian to serve longer nonstop sectors while managing operating costs and reducing environmental impact relative to older-generation jets.

Passengers flying the Dreamliner can expect a quieter cabin, larger windows, and higher humidity and lower cabin altitude compared with conventional aircraft, contributing to reduced fatigue on long flights. Ethiopian’s two-class configuration balances comfort and value, with business-class seating designed for extended rest on overnight sectors and a well-appointed economy cabin for daytime travel.

Ethiopian’s continued investment in modern aircraft like the 787 underlines its position as a leading African carrier that connects the continent to major global markets. As the airline rolls out the new Dreamliner across additional routes, travelers can anticipate improved service standards, more convenient connections through Addis Ababa, and an upgraded onboard experience.