Ethiopian Airlines compensation: how to claim
Ethiopian Airlines is registered in Ethiopia — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Registered in
- Ethiopia (non-EU/UK carrier)
- Main bases
- Addis Ababa (ADD)
- Typical first response
- About 50 days
- Time limit where it is based
- Depends where you claim
Ethiopian Airlines is registered in Ethiopia — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Flying into the UK or EU from Ethiopia or elsewhere: not covered by either, because Ethiopian Airlines is not a UK or EU carrier.
- That means a return trip is usually half-protected: the outbound from Europe counts, the flight home does not.
How Ethiopian Airlines handles claims
Not an EU or UK carrier, so only the departure from a European airport is covered — Frankfurt, Brussels, Paris, Rome, Madrid, London and Stockholm all qualify on the southbound leg.
Addis Ababa is the largest connecting hub in Africa, and single-booking itineraries onward across the continent are measured at the final destination — usually the top band.
Europe to Addis is over 3,500 km, so £520 or €600 on the covered direction.
Correspondence can be slow and it helps to lead with the flight number, date and booking reference on the first line.
What a delay on Ethiopian Airlines is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) → Addis Ababa (ADD) | 5,920 km | UK261 | £520 |
| Addis Ababa (ADD) → London (LHR) | 5,920 km | — | Not covered |
| Paris (CDG) → Addis Ababa (ADD) | 5,581 km | EU261 | €600 |
| Addis Ababa (ADD) → Paris (CDG) | 5,581 km | — | Not covered |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from Ethiopian Airlines, by what happened
- Ethiopian Airlines: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- Ethiopian Airlines: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- Ethiopian Airlines: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- Ethiopian Airlines: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your Ethiopian Airlines flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to Ethiopian Airlines yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
Ethiopian Airlines: common questions
How much compensation can I get from Ethiopian Airlines?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. Ethiopian Airlines is registered in Ethiopia — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
Does Ethiopian Airlines have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against Ethiopian Airlines?
The limit is set by the country where you bring the claim, which is usually where your flight departed or arrived. In England and Wales it is six years; in most EU countries between two and five.
Where do I send a claim to Ethiopian Airlines?
Ethiopian Airlines takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is Ethiopian Airlines Group, Customer Relations, Bole International Airport, PO Box 1755, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old Ethiopian Airlines flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.