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 (September 2024)

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.