About this flight
This is a flight report on traveling from Narita to Incheon International Airport in South Korea in Ethiopian Airlines business class.
Ethiopia is known as the birthplace of coffee. The in-flight menu included a story about Kaldi, the legendary goat herder who discovered coffee, as well as an explanation of the “Coffee Ceremony,” reminiscent of Japan’s traditional tea ceremony.
At Narita, I enjoyed sushi and hamburger steak in the ANA lounge before the flight.
After the in-flight meal, coffee and other drinks were served by a cabin attendant dressed in traditional white Ethiopian attire, similar to that worn during the Coffee Ceremony.
Table of Contents
Narita Airport
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Check-in Counter (1)
This is the check-in counter area at Narita Airport.
Check-in Counter (2)
Another view of the check-in counters.
Ethiopian Airlines Check-in Counter
This is the Ethiopian Airlines check-in counter.
Transfer Notice for Incheon
This flight departs from Narita and goes to Addis Ababa (the capital of Ethiopia) via Incheon.
I’m only traveling as far as Incheon, but for those continuing to Addis Ababa, due to a request from the South Korean government, all passengers must disembark, undergo a security screening, and then reboard.
Immigration Area Entrance
The entrance to the immigration checkpoint.
Due to the prolonged impact of COVID-19 since 2020, a digital board is displaying safety notices related to the virus.
Gold Track
This day was January 1st, New Year’s Day. A large New Year’s greeting was displayed on the digital board.
The Fast Track (priority security lane) for Star Alliance Gold members and First/Business Class passengers used to have a staff member checking boarding passes in 2016, but now, access is granted by scanning your boarding pass at an automated gate.
Boarding Pass
This is the boarding pass.
Duty-Free Shopping Area
A look at the duty-free area after immigration.
Even though it’s New Year’s Day during the pandemic, a few passengers can be seen walking around.
ANA Connection Information Board
While heading to the lounge, I saw this ANA connecting flight information board and snapped a photo for the memory.
Lounge
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Pine Decoration at the Entrance
I used the ANA lounge, a Star Alliance member like EgyptAir.
This is the entrance to the ANA Suite Lounge. Since it was New Year’s, there was a traditional kadomatsu (pine decoration) displayed.
Appetizers and More
As a Diamond Member of ANA, I have access to the First Class Lounge even when flying Business Class.
This area features salad vegetables, sandwiches, cakes, cheeses, and other appetizers.
Onigiri and More
Here’s another food section:
- • Onigiri (rice balls)
- • Inari sushi
- • Arare and snack packs
- • Dressings and condiments
Alcohol Section
The alcohol corner includes:
- • Beer dispenser
- • Shochu
- • Whiskey
- ...and more.
Butter Rolls
Next to the onigiri and inari section, fresh butter rolls had been restocked.
Dinner (1)
I picked up some food from the buffet:
- • Champagne
- • Vegetable salad
- • Olives and cheese
- • Roasted duck
- • Cream puff shells filled with crab paste
Dinner (2)
I also picked up some ordered dishes:
- • Sushi set
- • Hamburger steak set
- • Consommé soup
- • Bread
Sushi Set
Close-up of the sushi set.
Hamburger Set
Close-up of the hamburger steak, soup, and bread.
Boarding
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Information Board
This is the information board I saw while heading to the boarding gate after leaving the lounge.
Boarding Gate
This is the boarding gate for Ethiopian Airlines.
The staff member at the counter on the right is likely an Ethiopian Airlines employee.
In-Flight Seat
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Business Class Seat
This was my business class seat for the day.
Blanket
Here is the blanket provided.
Welcome Drink
For the welcome drink, I received a glass of champagne and a bottle of water.
View from the Window
This is the view of Tokyo shortly after takeoff.
Safety Instructions
The screen displaying the emergency equipment instructions.
Ceiling
A photo of the ceiling.
In-Flight Meal
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Menu (1)
This is the in-flight meal menu:
- Salad
- • Smoked chicken, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, lettuce, etc.
- Main Course (Choice of one)
- • Fried chicken
- • Shrimp in gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- • Beef goulash
- Dessert
- • Raspberry mousse cake with passion fruit sauce, cheese, and crackers
Menu (2)
This is the dinner and breakfast menu for the Seoul to Addis Ababa leg. Since I was only traveling to Seoul, I did not have this meal.
Drink Menu
Includes juice, soft drinks, coffee, and a variety of teas.
Wine List (1)
- • Champagne: Lombard (France)
- • Sparkling Wine: Prosecco by Bottega (Italy)
- • White Wines: From Ethiopia, South Africa, and France
Each wine includes tasting notes and pairing suggestions, showing a strong emphasis on quality.
Wine List (2)
- • Red Wines: From Ethiopia, two from South Africa, and France
- • Dessert Wine: From Portugal
- • Aperitifs: Campari, Martini
- • Cocktails: Bloody Mary, Negroni, etc.
- • Beers: Bavaria (Netherlands), Habesha (Ethiopia)
- ...and more.
Tablecloth
The tablecloth was laid out for the meal.
Full Meal
This was my meal:
- • Main Course: I chose the beef dish.
- • Salad: Smoked chicken, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, lettuce, etc.
- • Dessert: Raspberry mousse cake with passion fruit sauce. Korean-style crackers were served on the side.
Main Course
Main Course Close-Up
- • Beef goulash (beef sautéed with finely chopped onions and bell peppers, simmered in red wine, paprika powder, and tomato paste)
- • Penne pasta with basil sauce
- • Steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots)
Companion’s Main Course
Companion’s Main Course
- • Shrimp with chili sauce
- • Basmati rice (long-grain Indian rice)
- • Sautéed spinach
- • Kimchi (in a plastic container next to the cake)
Gochujang (Korean chili paste) was served on the side.
Bread and Crackers
Bread and crackers were served.
After-Meal Drinks and Coffee
After the meal, coffee and liqueurs were served. A flight attendant dressed in traditional white Ethiopian attire pushed a cart and served Ethiopian coffee, teas, and digestifs.
Digestifs
Digestifs (close-up on the cart):
- • Benedictine
- • Contreau
- ...and more.
Arrival in Korea
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Arrival at Incheon Airport
I arrived at Incheon Airport.
Taxi
Since this flight arrived at Incheon Airport just after midnight, taking a taxi was the only option to get to downtown Seoul. This is the taxi stand.
