Ethiopian Airlines vs United Airlines Business Class Comparison
| Ethiopian Airlines | United Airlines | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Seat type | Cloud Nine | Polaris lie-flat |
| Lie-flat | Yes | Yes |
| Seat width | 21 inches | 22 inches |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Star Alliance |
| IATA | ET | UA |
| Hubs | Addis Ababa (ADD) | Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Houston (IAH) |
Ethiopian Airlines — Pros & Cons
- + Largest African carrier network
- + Modern all-Boeing/Airbus fleet
- + Strong connectivity within Africa
- − Lounge below Gulf/European standards
- − Service inconsistency
United Airlines — Pros & Cons
- + Polaris seats with excellent bedding
- + Dedicated Polaris lounges at hubs
- + Massive global route network
- − Inconsistent product across fleet
- − Older 767s lack direct aisle access
The verdict
Both Ethiopian Airlines and United Airlines earn a 7/10 rating, making this a close call. Ethiopian Airlines offers Cloud Nine while United Airlines features Polaris lie-flat. Your decision should come down to route availability, alliance loyalty, and which seat product appeals more to you.