Ethiopian Airlines’ New A350 Route

Ethiopian Airlines is making several changes to its international flying for the Northern Summer 2026 while also planning a new city launch with the A350.

International route changes focus on service to Western markets in Asia and the Middle East, with the airline filing select service changes.

Firstly, the triangular route originating out of Addis Ababa through to Hanoi via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi thrice weekly with the 787-9 will switch over from the previous stopover port in Dhaka.

Next, the triangular service from Bangkok to Hong Kong with the 787-8, thrice weekly from 29 March 2026, will be cancelled by the airline, Aeroroutes.com, flagging the changes.

Next, service to Chengdu Tianfu will see the 777-300ER deployed, replacing the smaller-capacity 777-200LR, with the change taking effect at the Northern Summer schedule changeover point.

Dhaka will, as a direct result of the service no longer extending to Hanoi, see a reduction from four flights a week to three, and reduced options for customers; however, the 787-8 will remain operational to this market, with service departing on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday as ET678.

Other noteworthy changes include an increase in capacity to Manila via Hong Kong to four flights, up from daily service. Lastly, for service to Tokyo Narita, the A350-900 will replace the 787-8 to enhance capacity for the Northern Summer season.

Ethiopian Airlines New Route Coming

Away from several changes to Ethiopian Airlines’ flying in the coming months, the Northern Summer 2026 season will also welcome a new service.

The carrier has tentatively filed plans to begin service to Lyon from 2 July 2026, with three weekly flights operated by Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The service will originate from Addis Ababa, its hub, and operate through Geneva, a popular point for onward connectivity on triangular services.

ET738 will depart Addis Ababa at 0010 and arrive in Geneva at 0630. The jet will spend an hour on the ground before jetting off again at 0730, arriving in Geneva at 0815. This flight will operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The return flight operating as ET739 will spend a lengthy period on the ground in Lyon, departure to occur at 1920 with a 2005 arrival into Geneva, the flight then departs back to the airline’s home at 2105 with a following day arrival back into Addis Ababa at 0455, enabling onward connectivity across Africa if required as well.

With this flight set to take place, Ethiopian Airlines is also making changes with service to Manchester via Marseille from 6 July 2026, to be reduced from four flights a week to three. The A350-900 operates this flight.

In contrast, Manchester flights on the same date will jump from three flights a week to four, and the A350-900 will be utilised on this route, operating via Geneva, similar to the newly planned Lyon.