UP FOR REVIEW

I was disappointed to read your review of Ethiopian Airlines’ A350-900 flight from London Heathrow to Addis Ababa [read online at businesstraveller.com]. I flew the same flight recently in business and feel you are being far too kind.

You mention the issue of how late the menus were distributed, which means passengers are expected to eat a meal at 2330, with four hours left of the flight and three hours until breakfast. I am sure you should have been a little less matter of fact on this issue as it is frankly ridiculous. A 2100 takeoff means that we leave home anytime between 1700 and 1830. Surely the airline should know that customers are anxious to eat and get some sleep.

On my flight they did not have the desserts listed on the menu, apologising for the fact that, besides a piece of chocolate, no desserts were on offer. I am confident that had you managed to stay up for dessert you would also have been only offered a piece of chocolate.

I tried the call buzzer on the smart screen by the side arm but nothing happened. I went to the front to find the staff chatting away. I also did not feel that the English spoken was fluent and struggled to understand what was being said.

The business transit lounge in Addis Ababa is old and in desperate need of a refurbishment, and there are no shower facilities. Sir, I believe your article to not be sufficiently comprehensive and would next time like to read more helpful information, giving your devoted readers a real and honest heads-up. You need to pressure-test the system, not merely get from point A to B. Isaac Levy, Singapore TOM OTLEY REPLIES: Many thanks for your letter. I’m sure you will agree with me that it’s good news that Ethiopian Airlines is flying daily and direct from London Heathrow to Addis Ababa, and even better news that it is doing so with one of the newest, most efficient and comfortable aircraft in the world – the new-generation A350-900.

As you point out, in my review of the night flight I said I thought the service was a little slow, and indeed I went to sleep before the dessert since the flight duration was less than seven hours and I was working the next day. I reviewed the lounge separately, and this can also be read online at businesstraveller.com. I thought the service was friendly both on board and in the lounge, and didn’t suffer any problems in making myself understood.