Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
On May 17, 2023, Ethiopian Airlines celebrated its first flight to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), marking a significant achievement in global aviation. The service originates from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and includes a stopover in Dublin, Ireland. Utilizing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the flights operate four times weekly, with the outbound journey including a stop in Dublin. At the same time, the return leg is a non-stop flight to Addis Ababa. The launch of this route is a testament to Atlanta’s role as a critical global travel hub. It brings significant business and leisure travel opportunities between Africa and North America.
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, a noteworthy event took place in the annals of aviation history as Ethiopian Airlines graced the runways of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for the first time. The inaugural journey of the Ethiopian flag carrier’s flight originated from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa (ADD), Ethiopia, with a stopover in Dublin, Ireland (DUB), before touching down in Atlanta. Punctual as ever, the flight landed ahead of schedule at 8:39 a.m. Here is a detailed look at this exciting development that is set to open new travel avenues between the continents of Africa and North America.
Ethiopian Airlines’ arrival at ATL is made possible through fifth-freedom rules, allowing airlines to operate flights between two foreign countries as a part of services connecting with their own country. Ethiopian Airlines availed this opportunity, launching a route that departs from its primary hub in Addis Ababa Bole Airport, stops in Dublin to load and unload passengers, and finally flies onward to its ultimate destination, Atlanta.
Journeying via a brief 50-minute stop in Dublin, the total travel time for the outbound flight is approximately 18 hours. However, the return leg from Atlanta to Addis Ababa is a non-stop flight, which is about 4 hours quicker than the outbound journey.
The flight will depart from Addis Ababa at 10 p.m., reaching Dublin the next day at 4:20 a.m. From Dublin, the flight departs at 5:10 a.m. and arrives in Atlanta at 9 a.m. This flight arrives in Atlanta four days a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
As for the return flight, it departs from Atlanta at 10:50 a.m. and lands in Addis Ababa the next day at 8:05 a.m. This non-stop flight to Addis Ababa takes off from Atlanta on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The route is serviced by the impressive Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, part of Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet. This aircraft is designed to carry up to 270 passengers. The business class cabin on these particular aircraft is set in a 2-2-2 configuration, accommodating 24 seats. However, it’s worth noting that these business class seats don’t fully recline, and not all offer direct-aisle access, which might be a consideration for business travelers.
As for pricing, the lowest round-trip economy fares begin at $1,309, available on Mondays from August 2023 until April 2024.
Ethiopian Airlines’ entrance into the Atlanta aviation market is a testament to the city’s growing reputation as a vital global travel hub. This new year-round route is set to stimulate commerce and offer exciting new leisure travel opportunities for residents in both Addis Ababa and Atlanta. This is undoubtedly a significant step towards fostering stronger ties between the two cities and the two continents.
