Accra to Helsinki Ethiopian Flights

  About Accra

Accra is the capital of Ghana and is one of the liveliest cities in Africa. It's a wonderful blend of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers. Accra is also one of the wealthier cities in Africa and has a rich history. The fact that it is so close to the sea is what attracts tourists to the city. Accra is known for its never-ending party parade. The locals don't need a reason to celebrate and start partying from Wednesday through Sunday. You can head to Labadi beach in the middle of the week, and you'll see the locals partying. The loud music, the party atmosphere, the flowing drinks and the hangover that follows the next day is a normal thing for the people here. The city has a lot of open-air venues and amphitheatres where they host live music. The groove never ends in this city. Not just musicians but you will also find a lot of artists in Accra. You can also check the artworks and the various art galleries in the city. You can head up to Aburi Hills if you want a break from the city and turn it into an adventure. Accra is full of surprises and one of the most underrated destinations for an adventurous holiday.

Best Time to Visit Accra

January to May is the high tourist season in Accra. The temperature averages to 28 degree Celsius making it the best time to hit the beach. Though the weather is moderately humid, it doesn't stop you from pursuing any outdoor activities. Make sure you book your hotel in Accra for several weeks in advance because the hotels will not get packed but also increase their rates. You will also have to book your flight tickets to Accra well in advance before the prices increase. Since this is a high tourist season, the party scenes will only get more exciting. You will, however, have to make sure that you are using your sunblock regularly and drink lots of water. You will find yourself attending a lot of beach parties during this season. You might also have to wait in queues at certain major tourist attractions owing to the increase in tourists.

You can also visit the city from June to September. The temperature ranges from 21 to 32 degree Celsius, and it's quite humid, but it still won't stop you from stepping out and exploring the city. The hotel prices and flight fares might drop since this season doesn't have a lot of tourists holidaying in the city. You will get great flight deals to Accra online if you decide to travel to the city during this time of the year.

October to December is also considered to be a great time to head to Accra. The temperature reaches a maximum of 32 degree Celsius, and it does get pretty hot, but it is also a decent time to hit the beach, or you can chill by the pool in your hotel. You might get cheap flight tickets to Accra during these months since only fewer tourists are seen holidaying here during these months. Since the city is known for its vibrant party scenes, you know that you will have a great time at the New Year's parties here. You can pick from nightclubs or beach parties or both. Put on your fanciest outfit and get your groove on.

Places to Visit in Accra

Jamestown Lighthouse is one of the oldest structures in Accra and offers you a magnificent view of the city from up top. Artists Alliance Gallery is an art gallery that you wouldn't want to miss. You will find the quirkiest artworks and exhibitions. Nubuke Foundation is another place to head to if you want to witness and appreciate good artwork. Fantasy Coffins is one of the unique coffin makers in the world. The coffin can come in any form that the customer wants, and it is worth it. Labadi beach is a popular beach in the city that is known for throwing the craziest beach parties, and you will absolutely love spending an evening here. +233 Jazz Bar and Grill is a nightclub that you can go to if outdoor parties are not your cup of tea. This is also one of the oldest music venues in Accra. If you want to have some casual lunch, shop at the fanciest places and then enter a premier nightclub to the wee hours, ICON House is the place for you. You can shop at La Maison, have lunch at Coco Lounge and head to Carbon, one of Accra's premium nightclubs.

Don't feel like doing anything crazy today? You can just go for a walk at the Aburi Botanical Garden. Accra also has quite a lot of other extracurricular activities for tourists, and You can also go horseback riding, play rugby, surf, etc. The city has something in store for all kinds of tourists. You might even make a few friends before you leave the city. You can also check out the package tours that are available with your tour guide. It is best to hire a guide to explore the city so you know the history of Accra and you might even meet new people if it is a guided tour. You can also go on a shopping spree at the local markets here. You will definitely need help with the bags because you will end up purchasing a lot of things at a minimal price. Whether it is souvenirs or clothes or jewellery, you will find everything that you need here.

Things to do in Accra

If you love parties, Accra is the right place for you. The locals start partying Wednesday onwards and keep at it till Sunday. Well, you don't have to party for four days straight if you don't want to, but it is an experience of a lifetime. You can also sign up for a guided sightseeing tour of the city and cover the major attractions. If you don't feel like going sightseeing, you can always hit the beach and just relax there. The beaches in Accra also offer a variety of water activities for you to try, like surfing, boating and so on. You can also go horseback riding if you want to. If you are in the city during a football match league, you are in for a treat. The locals cheer for their favourite teams quite fiercely. You can just go to a sports bar and cheer for whatever team you like with a pint of beer. You will definitely make a lot of friends this way unless you are cheering for the opposite team.

Foods and Restaurants in Accra

Accra, or Ghana for that matter, is not particularly known for its cuisine. Still, you will find a variety of cuisines from all over the world being served at restaurants here. Bread & Wine is an expensive place in Accra but is completely worth all the money spent. It is a perfect restaurant for celebratory meals or a romantic date or a far romantic proposal. The restaurant serves authentic French cuisines that come with an excellent selection of Wine. You can pack some desert and take it home as the restaurant also has its own bakery. Most customers prefer outdoor terrace seating. Kaya Energy Bar and Design is a unique restaurant that creates dishes and drinks using raw ingredients. They believe that food must be enjoyed raw, so you don't lose any of the nutrients in the cooking process. This is the best place to go to if you are health conscious. Craving for some sushi? Head over to Santoku. You can also tie the restaurant's signature dish, pan-fried scallops with foie gras and orange tobiko. You can also opt for the teriyaki pork belly with ginger ponzu aubergine.

Buka is an African restaurant that serves fusion dishes from Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria. It would be best if you tried the fresh fish soup, grilled guinea fowl and jollof rice here. You can also try La Chaumiere, a bistro that specialises in French cuisine. You will find vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, too. You must order the French onion soup and Nicoise salad here.

How to reach Accra

Kotoka International Airport is the international airport that functions from Accra. The flight connectivity to Accra from India is quite good. Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates Airline have more frequent flights to Accra than any other airline, with layovers at Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Dubai. Look out for exciting flight deals to Accra online, especially if you are travelling during peak season. You will get cheap flight tickets to Accra during the offseason since the demand is low. The airport has quite a lot of facilities for passengers like several ATMs, information desk, lounges, WiFi, bars, restaurants, cafes, duty-free shops, car rental services and so on. Getting a cab to your hotel from the airport is not a huge task, and even the airport staff offers to book one for you.

  About Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines, which was formerly known as Ethiopian Air Lines (EAL) is also referred to as Ethiopian. The airline is the country Ethiopia's flag carrier and is completely owned by the government. Ethiopian Airlines was founded in 1945 while the flight operations commenced later in 1946. The airlines finally expanded its international flights operations in 1951. originally started as a government venture, the firm was converted to share company in 1965, when the name changed from Ethiopian Air Lines to Ethiopian Airlines. Since 1959, the airline has become a member of the International Air Transport Association. It also became part of the African Airlines Association from 1968. The airline is also part of the Star Alliance carrier, which happened in 2011. Ethiopian Airlines' hub is in Addis Ababa with its headquarters at Bole International Airport, also located in the city. The airline offers a network of 125 passenger destination, with 20 of them in domestic and 44 international destinations. Along with Addis Ababa, the airline's secondary hubs are in Togo and Mawali.

The management of Ethiopian Airlines is working towards extending its head office from Addis Ababa to a newer facility. With a view to involving more firms in designing and constructing a better building, a contest was also held in 2009. However, the plans failed to launch and led to the second round of the contest, which took place in 2011. Eventually, BET Architect PIc won the contest and contract to construct the new headquarters. An estimated Br300 million worth complex is slated to be constructed on 540,000 sq ft plot at the Bole International Airport. The project hasn't taken off due to the legal suit that the company in the fourth place has stated. The company has accused the airlines of not providing due consideration to the design proposed by them. The airline is recognised worldwide as the 4th largest with respect to connecting to a slew of countries.

As of 2017, Ethiopian Airlines has Tewolde Gebremariam as the new CEO, who replaced Girma Wake in 2011. The Government of Ethiopia has shown no involvement in the airline's functioning, including in times of significant turmoil as well as some domestic hardships. The main aim of the government of Ethiopia is to enhance the efficiency of the airline with respect to customer service and enable it to match up to global standards. The airline has been recognised tremendously for its expansion and excellence. In fact, Ethiopian Airlines was also featured on The Economist in late 1987 when economist Paul B. Henze called it as one of the most reliable and profitable aviation ventures in the Third World countries. It continues to wear the crown of most profitable ventures that have been praised by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

The fleet size of Ethiopian Airlines

As of 2020, the fleet size of Ethiopian Airlines is 125 with 14 Airbus A350-900 and 18 Boeing 737-800. In 2005, the airlines signed the agreement to purchase about ten Boeing 787 Dreamliners. With this move, it became the first African carrier to have so many 787s in their fleet. The carrier became the first African airline to order and operate the massive Boeing 777-200LR and took possession of the same in 2010. For its long-range passenger services, the airlines have 14 Airbus A350-900XWB, 19 Boeing B787-8, six Boeing B787-9, four Boeing B777-300ER, six Boeing B777-200LR and six Boeing B767-300ER. With respect to medium-range passenger services, the operating fleet includes 18 Boeing B737-800, four Boeing B737 MAX (Grounded) and ten Boeing B737-700NG. For regional passenger services, it has 27 Q400 Bombardier and for Cargo and non-scheduled services include 10 Boeing B777-200LRF and two Boeing B737-800F.

In 2016, Ethiopian Airlines acquired its first Airbus A350 XWB. Later in 2017, the airline also announced to add ten Airbus A350-900s and also committed to purchasing two Boeing 777 aircraft. In the same year, the airline received its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, becoming the first airline in Africa to operate the said type of aircraft. In 2018, Ethiopian Airlines also signed an agreement to lease two Boeing 737-800SF freighters. The airline further repeated their order for a Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft. Additionally, the airlines also ordered ten Q400s in a deal that is worth about USD332 million. In the same year, after the addition of a Boeing 787-9, Ethiopian Airlines created history by crossing the 100th aircraft mark. It became the first airline in Africa to manage and operate over 100 flights as part of the fleet expansion.

Baggage Allowance

Ethiopian Airlines' baggage allowance differs from the cabin that you fly in. With respect to business class, the airlines allow two pieces of baggage, each weighing about 7 kgs and not more. If you do have extra baggage that exceeds the said weight, you will need to pay some fee for it. With respect to economy class, the passenger is allowed to carry one piece of the bag with a weight of 7 kgs, free of cost. The passenger is also allowed to carry a smaller bag that fits the placement in the overhead rack as well as the space under the seat. The dimensions for the same should not exceed 23 x 40 x 55 cm. Along with the stated baggage, the passengers are also allowed to carry specific carryon luggage that should not exceed 5 kg. These items could include a lady handbag with contents such as a purse, pocket book, travelling dress, etc. A laptop is also allowed as is an overcoat, a blanket, a small camera, a decent amount of reading material, duty-free items, food consumption items for infants, a pair of binoculars and more. Additionally, wheelchairs and crutches are also allowed within the aircraft cabin for individuals suffering from mobility issues.

In terms of check-in baggage, the restricted weight per single luggage comes to 32 kg for business class and 23 kg for economy class. This is applicable to all the flights that are Atlantic-bound. Beyond the said weight will not be accepted at the check-in counter. There are some alterations with respect to flying to North America and Canada. It is recommended that the passenger goes through the official website of the Ethiopian Airlines to know more about the baggage allowance and restrictions.

In-flight services

Ethiopian Airlines supports two-class, Cloud Nine and Economy Class.

Cloud 9 (Business class) - The business class comes with a slew of in-flight services in Ethiopian Airlines as well as some amazing perks. The cabin has additional baggage allowance along with access to the C9 lounge. In fact, passengers flying business class on Ethiopian Airlines also have priority boarding facilities. For short-haul flights, the in-flight services include an array of international cuisine with a cocktail or wine as complimentary. The passengers also get to taste the traditional Ethiopian coffee. Long-haul business class passengers get to experience exquisite hospitality with a welcome drink and elaborate in-flight services. The recliner chairs are comfortable, the leg room is spacious, and the cabin crew is always at your service. Personal entertainment decks are also available for the passengers.

Economy class - The economy class has stricter rules in terms of in-flight services in Ethiopian Airlines. The hospitality remains topnotch while the services include personal entertainment decks attached to every passenger's seat. This is accompanied by a spread of lovely meals prepared by high-quality chefs, comfortable chairs and a wide selection of wine and other alcoholic beverages.

Popular routes and top cities for Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines has the best connectivity with domestic routes within the African continent. However, over the years, the airlines have expanded their horizons to accommodate flights to connect to a slew of international destinations. The most popular routes for Ethiopian Airlines include Washington, Nairobi, Frankfurt, Dubai and Asmara. Simultaneously, the passenger traffic received by the airlines to reach destinations, namely, London, Jeddah, Chicago, Beirut and Johannesburg, is also quite high. These easily become the top cities to travel for Ethiopian Airlines.

Why travel by Ethiopian Airlines?

Ethiopian Airlines has found a reputation to be one of the fast-growing airlines in the global aviation industry. The airlines have consistently been acquiring many large aircraft and accommodated the same in its hub airport in Addis Ababa. With the range of domestic routes and international routes offered by Ethiopian Airlines, the connectivity is excellent. Not to mention how booking Ethiopian Airlines flights are also quite easy and convenient. You can check for the flight schedule on their website as well as download the app on the phone to know more about the flight status and more. You can further do your web check-in on Ethiopian Airlines' website or app to make travelling easier. The flight tickets offered by the airlines are also quite cheap and affordable, giving it more reason to be picked over its contemporaries. It can be found on all travel portals and platforms. Not to mention how it is the most ideal airline to pick when travelling to European countries or around Africa.