When it is finally time to book airfare, your head can be in such a whirl that the little details can be hard to remember. Here are a few reminders. First of all, if you check prices at a website like Expedia.com or other popular sites to book travel, you will probably find prices to be quite a bit higher than if you get tickets through a travel agent who specializes in travel to Africa. It is possible to get tickets in the range of $1400-$2500 for a flight from the U.S. to Ethiopia, including connecting flights. In general, airfare is highest in summer, and as far as airlines go, Ethiopian Airlines usually has the lowest prices.

One of the perks of using a travel agent who is... more

Recently I have learned more about a new airline option from the U.S. to Ethiopia. In the past I have blogged about Ethiopian, Lufthansa and British Airways. But these days some families are opting for Emirates Air.

Emirates is a really top notch airline. Families say that it is luxurious even in coach, and does a great job of accommodating babies and children.... more

One memorable feature about both of my previous flights to Ethiopia was a ridiculously long layover in an unfamiliar airport. My worst experience so far has been a seven-hour layover in the pit of Terminal 4 at London-Heathrow.

Cigarette smoke wafted everywhere out ridiculous open-topped smoking rooms. You had to pay a king's ransom for a pack of gum. And it took us hours of wandering around the place to find a decent set of benches that were in a quiet enough area and arm-rest-free so that we could actually lie down and rest... more

One memorable feature about both of my previous flights to Ethiopia was a long layover in an unfamiliar airport. Since then I've found some helpful websites where travelers share tips about ways to best spend a loathsomely long layover in airports around the world. In this post I'll share some of the features travelers might find helpful about the airport in Frankfurt, Germany.

Activities for Children

One great feature of the airport in Frankfurt is a McDonald's with a kids play area. The food is more expensive than you'll pay in the U.S., and you'll... more

When flying to Ethiopia, perhaps the most popular and most consistently affordable airline option is Ethiopian Airlines. I have not personally flown Ethiopian. But if prices continue as they are, it will definitely be an option I will consider when we travel later this year.

Flights to Ethiopia leave the U.S. from Washington D.C./Dulles Airport. Ethiopian Airlines refuels in Rome, with no one getting off the plane, arriving in Addis about 18 hours after leaving Washington D.C. One really awesome advantage to Ethiopian is that you arrive in Ethiopia sooner. Depending on layovers, it is possible to get to Ethiopia from the western U.S.... more

When we traveled to Ethiopia in 2005, we flew British Airways from Chicago through London and Jordan. Across the ocean there were TV screens in every seat back, which was a nice thing since we were traveling with a 3 year old. The service was good, the food was decent, and the crew was friendly.

They gave us bulkhead seats on the way over, which was a mixed blessing. Yes, we had a bit more foot room. But we had to store our bags in the overhead bins, making it very difficult to access things we needed to occupy the three year old. Also, the bulkhead seat TV’s are on swivel arms which raise up out... more

Adoptive families choose among three main options for air travel from the U.S. to Ethiopia: Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines, and British Airways. I'll talk about Lufthansa first, as it was our first experience with flying to Ethiopia, and discuss the pros and cons of the other main choices in future posts.

We flew Lufthansa from the Pacific Northwest through Frankfurt and Cairo to Ethiopia in February, 2004. We booked travel with Susan Parr Travel, an agency that specializes in Ethiopian travel and has a reputation for finding excellent rates. At the time, Lufthansa was the most affordable... more

Just today I got an email from Ethiopis.com announcing their fall airfare specials from the US to Addis. Flying Ethiopian Airlines, it looks like it is possible to get tickets from most major US airports to Addis for between $1225 and $1319. I personally know at least 3 people who have booked tickets using Ethiopis.com and were very satisfied with their service and excellent prices.

I also know many, many people who have flown Ethiopian airllines and been very pleased. However, it is very important to note that if you fly Ethiopian, you MUST RECONFIRM your tickets while you are in... more

One of the most exciting parts of the adoption process is getting the call that your child will be ready to come home soon. Finally it is time to book airfare.

Expect to pay anywhere from $1500-$2300 for a flight from the USA to Ethiopia, including connecting flights. You will pay higher prices during the summertime. The most common airlines to fly include Lufthansa, British Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines.

Although it is possible to book directly through the airline of your choice, most people have found that the least expensive way to buy tickets is through a travel agent, preferably... more