A new Star Alliance redemption – Ethiopian Airlines from Dublin to Los Angeles!
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Ethiopian Airlines, however improbable it may sound, is a member of the Star Alliance network. Based in Addis Ababa, it serves 82 destinations – more African destinations than any other carrier – and is profitable.
Just as impressively, it was Boeings first customer for the 787-8 Dreamliner and will also be one of the first airlines to receive the Airbus A350.
The airline has just announced that it is adding Los Angeles to its route map, using a Boeing 787-8. Because of the distance involved, the aircraft will make a stopover in Dublin.
Flight times have not yet been announced (EDIT: it seems they are available, see the comments) and regulatory approval has not yet been received. The plan is to fly the route three times per week starting in June 2015.
Dublin to Los Angeles would make an interesting Star Alliance redemption.
Looking at SeatGuru, Ethiopian has 24 business class seats on its 787 aircraft. They are not, unfortunately, lie-flat which seems a bit of a missed opportunity for such a long journey. Instead, they are angled at 160 degrees. The pitch is 65 inches.
Whilst not ideal, the upside is that there is likely to be decent availability. It would certainly make a change to the usual Star Alliance offerings across the Atlantic.
You can find out more about the airline and its routes on the Ethiopian Airlines website here.
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How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (February 2025)
None of the Star Alliance airlines currently have a UK credit card.
There is, however, still a way to earn Star Alliance miles from a UK credit card.
The route is via Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty points convert to over 40 airlines at the rate of 3:1.
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is via the official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. It comes with 20,000 points for signing up and 2 points for every £1 you spend. At 2 Bonvoy points per £1, you are earning (at 3:1) 0.66 airline miles per £1 spent on the card.
There is a preferential conversion rate to United Airlines – which is a Star Alliance member – of 2 : 1 if you convert 60,000 Bonvoy points at once.
The Star Alliance members which are Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are: Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.
You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express
20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review
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