Ethiopian Airlines Offers Alternative Route to South Africa from Atlanta 

Travelers to South Africa can use Ethiopian Airlines’ new direct fight from Atlanta to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa as an opportunity to visit multiple countries in Africa, says the airline’s Southeast U.S. director Solomon Mekonnen.  

Ethiopian Airlines offers three daily flights from Addis Ababa to Johannesburg and one daily flight to Cape Town. En route to these South African destinations, travelers can plan a stopover in Ethiopia to visit some of the country’s popular tourist spots including the Paleoanthropology Laboratories of the National Museum in Addis Ababa, which houses a fossil of one of the earliest humans, “Lucy,” or Entoto Park in a nearby forest where visitors can tour multiple historic churches. 

The flight to Joburg hosts more corporate travelers, while the Cape Town flight serves more leisure travelers, according to Mr. Mekonnen. Both have great potential to be among the airline’s most popular routes, he asserts. 

“Our transcontinental flight is a new gateway for leisure travelers and corporate clients from Atlanta and the Southeast. It is an African-owned alternative to reach the popular destinations of Johannesburg and Cape Town,” Mr. Mekonnen says. 

The flight operates with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner between Atlanta and Addis Ababa and either the Airbus A350 or another Dreamliner for the continuation to South Africa. These state-of-the-art aircraft ensure a comfortable travel experience, Mr. Mekonnen adds.  

Ethiopian Airlines boasts a superior onboard experience that reflects the best of African hospitality. Business class travelers can enjoy authentic Ethiopian cuisine, while all passengers receive gourmet three-course meals for lunch and dinner. The airline’s ShebaMiles frequent flier program offers generous rewards, making the flight good value, adds Mr. Mekonnen. 

The airline’s four weekly flights from Atlanta to Addis Ababa connect efficiently; passengers arriving in Addis Ababa at 7:50 a.m. can make connections as early as 8:15 a.m.  

“Passengers can actually make their connection to Joburg or Cape Town in just 25 minutes,” Mr. Mekonnen says. 

Stopovers for Business or Pleasure 

A stopover in Addis Ababa offers travelers an opportunity to explore Ethiopia’s rich cultural and historical heritage. But stopovers in other countries are also easy to make because Ethiopian Airlines flies to more than 70 destinations in Africa, Mr. Mekonnen points out. 

“Addis Ababa serves as our main hub, offering passengers the chance to visit significant sites, or they can extend their journey to destinations such as Nairobi, Mombasa or Kilimanjaro,” Mr. Mekonnen notes. This option is ideal for tourists who want to explore multiple African destinations in one trip, he says. 

For business travelers, the route opens new commercial opportunities. Johannesburg and Cape Town are important hubs for cargo, including fresh flowers and other goods. Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo service facilitates significant trade between Ethiopia and South Africa.  

For business or tourism, passengers find that Ethiopian Airlines offers a “gateway to Africa,” Mr. Mekonnen asserts. 

Global Atlanta Publisher Trevor Williams will board the Ethiopian Airlines flight to Addis Ababa and continue on to Johannesburg this month. Stay tuned for an in-depth report about the trip in Global Atlanta. 

To see stopover options available to travelers, visit this site. 

For more information and to book a flight, visit Ethiopian Airlines.