Ethiopian Airlines to launch Dublin to Madrid flights with flat beds in business class

If you’re looking for something a little different for your next trip, Ethiopian Airlines is launching Dublin to Madrid on 2nd June.

This is a ‘fifth freedom’ service which is being tagged onto the end of the existing Addis Ababa to Dublin flight.  This means that the times are a bit odd:

Departs Dublin 17.05, arrives Madrid 20.50

Departs Madrid 06.15, arrives Dublin 07.55

Flights operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.  Exact timings vary slightly by day.

Ethiopian operates this service with a Boeing 787-8 with flat beds in Business Class.  Unfortunately, cheap one-way fares are not available.  A one-way ticket in Business is over €500.  A return is €435 but you need to stay away for a Saturday night and of course you’ll be on that 06.15 flight back.

As Ethiopian is a member of Star Alliance, it should also be available as a redemption with Miles & More or any other Star Alliance frequent flyer scheme.  A redemption is probably better value if you are only looking for a one way.

You can check prices and times on the Ethiopian Airlines website here.

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How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (October 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.