Ethiopian NW25: A350-900 to 787-8/9 on ADD-LGW from Oct 26, 2025

(LONDON) Ethiopian Airlines will shift the aircraft on its Addis Ababa–London Gatwick service to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the start of the Northern Winter 2025/26 season, a change filed into its schedule to take effect on October 26, 2025. The swap covers flights ET718 and ET719 and will operate at a four-times-weekly (4x weekly) frequency.

According to industry schedule specialist AeroRoutes, the carrier is moving from the Airbus A350-900 to the Boeing 787-8/-9 on this route, with no published change to frequency at this time. Ethiopian remains the only carrier offering direct service between Addis Ababa (ADD) and London Gatwick (LGW) as of September 2025. the airline has not issued a public statement about the swap, but the new equipment appears in official listings and booking systems.

Why this matters

This adjustment affects travelers, travel agents, and diaspora families who rely on the Addis Ababa–London link for family visits, business trips, and onward connections to Africa and the Middle East.

• The Dreamliner’s cabin environment—often praised for better humidity, lower cabin altitude, and quieter interiors—should provide a comfortable ride broadly in line with Ethiopian’s A350-900 product.
• Seat maps and some amenities can differ between types, so passengers should re-check assignments after the swap.
• Ethiopian’s standard long-haul service, meal service, and checked-baggage rules are expected to continue unchanged.

For bookings on or after October 26, 2025, the airline will re-accommodate passengers on the 787, but it’s wise to double-check seat selections and special requests in case the aircraft change affects them.

Schedule and fleet update

• Planned aircraft change date: October 26, 2025
• Route: Addis Ababa (ADD) – London Gatwick (LGW)
• Old aircraft: Airbus A350-900
• New aircraft: Boeing 787-8/-9 Dreamliner
• Frequency: 4x weekly

Flight numbers and typical times (as filed):

1. ET718: ADD 00:50 – LGW 05:40 (local time), operated by 787, except on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
2. ET719: LGW 10:00 – ADD 20:45 (local time), operated by 787, except on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

Until October 25, 2025, Ethiopian is scheduled to continue operating the A350-900 on this route. In September 2025, typical listed timings for ET718 showed Addis departures around 00:20–00:25 with arrivals at Gatwick around 06:20–06:25 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Sundays, and Thursdays. The switch aligns with the seasonal timetable change and the airline’s broader fleet planning across Europe during winter.

Industry context: VisaVerge.com notes that airlines often reshuffle long-haul equipment at winter timetable changes to match demand, balance maintenance windows, and align crew/fleet availability. The 787 family offers range, fuel burn efficiency, and flexibility to serve thinner winter markets without sacrificing reach or onboard comfort.

How to check your booking and live status

Passengers can verify the assigned aircraft for their travel date via Ethiopian’s schedule and booking engine. Ethiopian lists aircraft type during booking and in the flight details view.

Steps to confirm:
1. Use the carrier’s schedule tool, select route and date, and confirm the aircraft shown for ET718/ET719.
2. Cross-check live flight data on flight-tracking services close to departure—same-day equipment changes can occur.

Helpful links:
– Check the Ethiopian flight schedule: Ethiopian Airlines Flight Schedule
– Monitor live flight status (ET718/ET719): FlightAware ET718/ET719
– London Gatwick airport information: London Gatwick Airport

Implications for travelers and agents

Overall effect: mostly subtle for day-to-day passengers, but cabin details and seat maps can vary by tail number. Below are specific considerations.

Cabin, seats and comfort

• Cabin environment: 787 known for quieter cabin, larger windows with electronic dimmers, and improved humidity—may make long flights feel less tiring.
• Seat maps: Layouts (seat pitch, width, IFE placement, galley/ lavatory locations) can differ by aircraft variant and tail number.
• Business vs Economy: Both A350 and 787 typically offer lie-flat business seats and standard economy; however, business-class seat counts can vary between the 787-8 and 787-9.

Baggage, meals and special assistance

• Baggage policy: Ethiopian’s standard international allowance applies; no announced change tied to the aircraft swap. Confirm at booking and before travel, especially for oversized items.
• Meals and service: No service-level change announced. Expect long-haul patterns (hot meals, beverages).
• Special assistance: Notify the airline early for wheelchair help, medical clearance, or infant/bassinet needs—aircraft layout differences may affect available positions.

Actions for passengers

• Review seat maps after the swap and reselect seats if needed.
• Confirm special meals and assistance requests in your booking.
• If traveling with infants, verify bassinet eligibility on the 787 variant shown.

Actions for travel agents and corporate bookers

• Add an “equipment change advisory” note in PNR remarks.
• Re-check seat maps, special meals, wheelchair support, and unaccompanied minor bookings after October 26.
• Verify the exact 787 variant (787-8 vs 787-9) in company booking tools if policy or capacity matters.

Connections, visas and transit notes

• For same-day connections through Addis Ababa, build in a buffer—especially during winter—to guard against weather or ATC delays. Ethiopian generally protects connections on single tickets, but longer layovers reduce stress.
• Confirm UK entry/visa requirements well before departure: Check if you need a UK visa
• Transit rules for Ethiopia: check whether a visa is required during layovers, especially if leaving the airport.
• If connecting on separate tickets or leaving the sterile area, transit visa rules may differ—verify in advance.

Context and outlook

• The swap fits a seasonal pattern: Ethiopian rotates A350 and 787 types across European markets to match demand, manage maintenance, and optimize crew rosters.
• The Dreamliner’s fuel efficiency helps on routes with softer winter demand—allowing the airline to preserve frequency while right-sizing capacity.
• Ethiopian returned to London Gatwick in late 2023 after a 17-year pause, initially using the A350-900. The Gatwick link expanded the airline’s UK reach beyond Heathrow and benefits travelers in South London, Sussex, Kent, and the South Coast.

Both A350-900 and 787 families are modern, comfortable aircraft for an eight- to nine-hour sector. Differences passengers may notice are primarily seat map and specific business-class seat types. Because Ethiopian is the only direct carrier on this city pair, maintaining a consistent four-times-weekly operation is important for families, students, and small businesses.

Practical checklist — if you already hold a ticket for travel on/after Oct 26

1. Re-visit your booking to confirm the aircraft shows 787-8 or 787-9.
2. Review and, if necessary, reselect your seat.
3. Confirm any special meals remain correct.
4. If traveling with infants, verify bassinet row eligibility on the 787.
5. Re-check connecting times for tight links in Addis Ababa or at Gatwick.
6. Ensure UK entry requirements and passport validity: Check if you need a UK visa.

Agents should add an equipment-change advisory line to PNRs noting the effective date and the swap to 787.

Operational and strategic notes

• The 787-8 typically carries fewer passengers than the 787-9, helping manage demand swings while maintaining frequency.
• Ethiopian’s fleet strategy under CEO Mesfin Tasew emphasizes modern, efficient twinjets. The Gatwick swap aligns with that approach.
• Gatwick benefits from an additional non-stop to a major African hub, reducing the need for travelers to transfer to Heathrow for East Africa flights.

Day-of-travel tips

• Check in online when it opens and confirm seats for everyone in your party.
• Download boarding passes and have backups.
• Pack documents and visas in your carry-on.
• Keep medication, baby items, and valuables in the cabin.
• Track ET718/ET719 on the morning of travel for gate/time updates: FlightAware ET718/ET719

Contacts and useful resources

• Ethiopian Airlines UK customer service: +44 1753 967980
• Ethiopian UK reservations email: [email protected]
• Official schedule and booking: Ethiopian Airlines Flight Schedule
• Live flight tracking: FlightAware ET718/ET719
• London Gatwick: London Gatwick Airport
• UK visa guidance: Check if you need a UK visa

Final summary

Ethiopian Airlines’ move to the Boeing 787-8/-9 on the Addis Ababa–London Gatwick route is a practical fleet action timed with the winter schedule change. It preserves the four-times-weekly pattern that communities rely on, keeps comfort levels high, and gives the airline operational flexibility during colder months.

Key passenger steps: reconfirm aircraft and seats, verify special requests, and check visa requirements. With those checks done, travel should be straightforward when the Dreamliner takes over from October 26, 2025.