I flew Ethiopian Airlines Business class from Chicago to Tanzania for just $8. Sounds impossible right? Here’s exactly how I did it and my overall review of the flight.
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How I Booked a $8 Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Flight
I opened the United Explorer Card specifically for its 80,000 point sign-up bonus. After meeting the spending requirement, I used those points to book my Ethiopian Airlines business class ticket through United MileagePlus, which you can create for free.
One tip: sign up for the credit card through the United MileagePlus app instead of the Chase website. When I did that, the bonus offer was actually higher than what I saw on the Chase website.
The total cost for my one-way flight from Chicago (ORD) to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) was 80,000 United miles and $8 in taxes and fees.
Boarding & First Impressions
After boarding, I was immediately greeted with a glass of champagne and a friendly smile from the crew. I slipped into the cozy slippers provided and got comfortable in my seat. The seat setup is a 2×2 configuration. Now the seats were not fully lie-flat, but still very close.
It felt spacious and comfortable for a flight that cost me less than lunch at the airport.
Amenity Kit
Ethiopian Airlines’ business class amenity kit included all the essentials: socks, sleep mask, lip balm, dental kit, comb, and ear plugs. They also handed out a super soft quilt and slippers that made settling in for the long flight even more comfortable.
In-Flight Dining
After takeoff, I ordered an iced tea and was served a small snack to start. For dinner, I chose the creamy butter chicken, which was delicious. Dessert was a guava cheesecake, which was good but not great.
Later in the flight, there was a random snack served which included a single fish stick, a chicken nugget, and a croquette. A quirky combo, but still tasty.
Breakfast before landing was a version of eggs Benedict, although it felt more like a deconstructed version.
Service & Overall Experience
From start to finish, the service from the Ethiopian Airlines crew was excellent. Even though the seats weren’t fully lie-flat, they were comfortable enough to get some solid rest.
Between the cozy bedding, champagne, and friendly service, it felt much more luxurious than my normal flights in economy.
Make sure to check out my 9-Day Tanzania Itinerary and my guide on How to Book a Safari to help you plan the perfect safari adventure.