Check-In

All check-in counters open 3 hours prior to departure and close 1 hour prior to flight departure. Passengers must ensure that their reservations are confirmed, and that the travel documents, which they present at the counter, are valid and as per the requirements of their destination and transit points. Passengers must also ensure that their baggage is within the permitted weight/piece for their particular flight. Any weight/piece exceeding the maximum permitted limit will incur an additional charge.
Separate counters are available for Cloud Nine passengers and those travelling with Platinum/Gold ShebaMiles and Star Alliance member cards. Once Cloud Nine, Platinum/Gold ShebaMiles and Star Alliance member passengers have completed their check-in process, they will be given an invitation card to use the lounge located in the Departures Area.

Check-in at the counter

For a more personalized service, our friendly ground staff will be at your complete disposal. They will ensure that your luggage is perfectly checked through to your final destination and will provide you with your boarding pass.

Self Check-in

Self-check-in at kiosks saves time and simplifies the process. The Self-check-in process at kiosks has five easy steps for passengers to proceed to self check-in at the airport:
1. Locate an airline self-service kiosk terminal and select the Ethiopian Airlines tab. Choose a language (English or French).
2. Find Booking: Find the booking in 3 ways (By Destination, Flight Number or Booking Code)
3. Confirm that you are not carrying any hazardous materials and/or dangerous goods in your checked baggage and carry-on baggage as the check-in activity will not be initiated unless the same is confirmed.
4. Check-in and insert personal details. Choose an available seat from the interactive seating plan or accept the suggested ones. Add any missing personal information such as passport information, frequent flyer number and checked baggage details.
5. Boarding pass issuance. The boarding pass will now be printed by the kiosk. There must be a 2D barcode on the boarding pass.

Checking in luggage

Checking in luggage:

Passengers are allowed a free checked baggage allowance, the limit of which may differ by class and point of origin-destination. Excess baggage may be carried in exchange for payment of the corresponding charges.

Cabin/hand luggage :

For business class on all Ethiopian routes, only two pieces of hand luggage are allowed with a maximum weight of 7kgs each and measuring no more than 20x40x55cms or 8x16x22inches in the cabin.
Please contact the nearest Ethiopian Airlines office for more specific information.

Check-in/ Billing times

The time indicated on the flight coupons is the flight departure time. In order to carry out check-in operations in a timely manner, the passenger is requested to present himself at the airport check-in counter 2 hours before the departure of the flights for all international flights, with the following exceptions:
• In Addis Ababa 3 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• For flights to/from the United States 4 hours before the scheduled departure time
Passengers who do not present themselves within the mentioned time limit should be aware that Ethiopian Airlines reserves the right not to accept such passengers.

For domestic flights within Ethiopia, the passenger is requested to arrive at the airport check-in counter 1 hour before the scheduled departure. For the passenger checking in online, he/she is requested to arrive at the boarding gate 30 minutes before the flight departure, if the passenger has to check in luggage, he/she should arrive at the check-in counter 45 minutes before the flight departure.

In addition, due to security reasons at Addis Ababa Airport, local passengers who have checked in for their flights will not be able to leave to meet their families and friends, but must continue the immigration process.