Ameyaw Says
Accra – Lome – New York, an amazing experience with Ethiopian Airlines
Ahead of my trip to the US, I looked online for an affordable ticket that would be within the budget or total planned expenditure for my trip. I saw an Ethiopian Airlines flight that was at a very good price and not too many stops.
Although the flight connected via Lomé, Togo I decided to give it a try because the flight hours were very interesting. I would leave Accra at 10.10 am and arrive in New York around 7 pm. It would be my first travel from Ghana to the US, that sees me arriving on the same day of travel. So, I went ahead and booked the flight on my new favorite booking site, Fareboom.
This was the second time flying Ethiopian Airlines, after going to Brazil with a chartered flight for the World Cup in 2014. So I was looking forward to my first real experience on the airline that prides itself as “The new spirit of Africa”
Just a few days to the flight I had a call from the country manager for Ethiopian Airlines about a post I had made. In our conversation, she asked about my son. I told her I was in fact going to the USA in a few days to see my family on Ethiopian Airlines. She asked about my flight details. When I told her I was in economy, she offered to upgrade me to business class so I could have a better experience. Well, I couldn’t turn down such an amazing offer. She told me to remind her a day to my flight so she can confirm for me, and she did just that!
On the flight day, I went to the airport early so I would not be found wanting due to the ever-changing travel protocols. When I last visited the US some two months ago, having a vaccination card was not a mandatory requirement, but now it is if you are travelling from Ghana!
I boarded the Asky flight to Lomé after a quick breakfast experience at the Adinkra Lounge as part of the perks of my business class upgrade. The 25-minute flight was very smooth, and the business cabin was very relaxing. I was served some welcome drink when we took off. Since it was a short trip there was no meal service on the flight.
On arrival at the Lomé–Tokoin Airport (also known as Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport), I made my way to transfers and went through two security checks as I made my way to the Ethiopian Airlines gate.
Soon they announced boarding and I majestically made my way into Cloud Nine (Ethiopian Airlines’ Business Class). This was my first time in the business cabin of a Boeing 787 8 (twin jet). The 2-2-2 configuration is beautiful, comfortable, and spacious. I was welcomed with a welcome drink by the very pleasant crew.
Soon we took off on a trip that would last for over 10 hours. But it was smooth every step of the way. I checked out the blockbuster movie offering, and I was immediately drawn to “Locked Down” because I had the cast members talk about the movie on the Graham Norton Show just after the COVID-19 lockdowns, so I decided to watch that first.
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When it was time for lunch, it was such a treat! The service felt like having a four-course meal at an exclusive restaurant. In fact, this was my first time seeing a service like that.
The starter pack came with Injera Salmon (a roll of smoked salmon), Mediterranean Couscous with Balsamic Grilled Vegetables and a Pacific Rim Coastal Salad.
The next meal came on a serving trolly/ cart, and it was an Ethiopian National Dish. This consisted of Doro Wot (Ethiopian Spicy Chicken Stew), Tibs Firfir (Ethiopian Style Spiced Stew Mixed with Fried Beef and Injera), Ater Alecha Wot (Split Peas Stew with Turmeric), Yebeg Alicha (Turmeric Lamb Stew) and Gomen Wot (sautéed kale). I tried them all for the culture. My favorite was the Doro Wot.
For my main, I opted for Chicken Ala king with Riz Pilaf and Steamed Vegetables. I really enjoyed the chunkiness of the chicken breast, yes, it’s my favorite part of the chicken. I closed lunch with some cheesecake for dessert.
After lunch I completed my movie and then reclined my seat into flatbed mode and slept a little. The angle lie-flat seat allows passengers to recline to a near 180 degrees, with a footrest to put your feet up. My earlier self-made cocktail of orange juice and vodka also helped me to knock off about 3 hours of the flight.
When I woke up, I listened to the music offering (from pop to R&B and Afrobeat) and started writing this post (or at least the skeleton of it). A little over an hour-twenty minutes before landing, it was time for a Hot Light Meal dinner. I started with Ye Ayeb Ena Siga Dabo (Teff tortilla stuffed with Ethiopian minced beef sauce pressed in oven with cheese and sesame seed). Again, there was a Pacific Rim Coastal Salad with some crispy fresh bread to go with it.
For my main, I chose the Pan-fried Chicken Breast, Chicken Jus with Sautéed Mixed Mushrooms, Mashed Potatoes with Garlic, Boiled Broccoli and Pumpkin. This was simply yummy; I loved the flavors of the potatoes. I then indulged in some Assorted Fresh Seasonal Fruit Selection and a roll cake.
After the dinner and drinks, I just sat back, relaxed, and waited for us to land. Not long after, the captain brought the flight to a smooth landing, and I made my way to immigration and then to baggage claim. As I got into an uber and made my one-hour-drive to Newark, New Jersey, I had good memories of the flight and how the amazing crew made sure I was comfortable throughout the journey. In fact, I was so satisfied, from the food I ate on the flight, that I didn’t eat again till I went to bed. I can say for now that no flight serves food like Ethiopian Airlines.
I really hope that I do get a similar experience on my return trip to Ghana, I don’t want to do economy again….hahaha!
