Ethiopian Airlines has broadened its global reach, marking the commencement of operations to Atlanta (ATL). This new service makes Ethiopian the second airline to bridge Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and Africa, bolstering both commercial and cultural ties between the two regions.
Will Denver be Ethiopian Airlines’ next U.S. destination?
The Inaugural Flight to Atlanta
Flight ET 518 departed from Bole International Airport (ADD) on May 16, 22:31 local time, reaching Dublin Airport (DUB) at 04:20 the next day for a technical stopover. The flight subsequently took off from Dublin at 05:41, ultimately touching down at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) at 08:30.
Prior to the inaugural flight, a delegation led by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens visited Ethiopian Airlines Group’s Addis Ababa facility. “Atlanta and Addis Ababa, two globally significant cities, share cultural and economic bonds. I anticipate the deepening of these bonds through direct commercial air service. This service will broaden horizons for business, tourism, and cultural relations. As Atlanta becomes a gateway to the Americas, Addis Ababa will provide Atlanta residents with an accessible gateway to Africa“, stated Mayor Dickens.
Throughout the trip, Atlanta officials held meetings with government leaders, business leaders, educational institutions, and cultural organizations. Notably, the delegation also engaged with students and faculty from the Cambridge Academy.
U.S. Expansion of Ethiopian Airlines
Atlanta (ATL) marks the fifth U.S. destination for the airline, joining its ongoing operations to Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), and Washington (IAD). Moreover, Ethiopian Airlines stands as the sole African carrier serving Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL).
As part of its U.S. expansion strategy, Ethiopian met with a delegation from Denver in early February to discuss the possibility of extending bilateral agreements and establishing an air connection between Colorado and Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian’s Atlanta Flight Schedule
The Atlanta route is serviced by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, providing 311 seats across two classes (28 Business Class/283 Economy). Convenient connections to Nairobi, Accra, Dar Es Salaam, Lome, Abidjan, Abuja, Harare, Douala, Kilimanjaro, Kinshasa and more are available, with promotional fares starting from 913 USD round trip.
