Ethiopian Airlines to launch flights from Manchester to Addis Ababa

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a new service between Manchester and Addis Ababa.

The flight will be operated by a Boeing 787 with Economy and Business Class cabins (see picture below).

The four-weekly service will launch on 1st December 2018.  This will not be a direct flight as it is transiting via Brussels.

This is highly likely to mean that stand-alone Manchester to Brussels tickets will be available which will allow you to fly between the two cities in Business Class with a fully flat bed.

Ethiopian is a member of Star Alliance so there will be various redemption options available via Singapore Airlines, Miles & More, United etc.  We may be tempted to give it a go.

Your best option to maximise your miles when paying is American Express Preferred Rewards Gold.  This offers double points – 2 per £1 – when you when you book flight tickets directly with an airline.  Our review of Amex Gold is here.

You can find out more on the Ethiopian Airlines website here.

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How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (May 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 Card

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