Addis Ababa to Nashville Emirates Flights

  About Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and is one of the most important cities in Africa. It is also the largest city in Ethiopia. The city is also considered as the political capital of Africa since it houses the headquarters of the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. It is situated in the foothills of Entoto Mountains and is one of the five highest capital cities of the world. Ethiopia is known for producing the best coffee in the world, and there's nothing better than actually flying to the country to try some. The city has a rich economic, scientific and political history and several museums that showcase these findings. In fact, you will also come across a museum that solely focuses on telling people how politics can make bad history. Not to mention, it is also a great place to go on a shopping spree for Ethiopian products, lots of coffee grounds and souvenirs. While Addis Ababa is not a popular vacation destination, a lot of travellers usually explore the city when they have a long layover. If you do not have any time constraints as such, you can definitely explore the city and be amazed at how it has progressed.

Best Time to Visit Addis Ababa

Ethiopia is called the Cradle of Mankind and is one of the best places to visit in Africa. January to March is a high season in Ethiopia. The temperature ranges from 10 to 24 degree Celsius with slight rainfalls. It doesn't rain as much in Addis Ababa, but it does in the other cities. Summer is the perfect time for you to spot wildlife like giraffes, wolves and ibex. You can also attend events like Timkat and Leddet in summer. Hiking in the Bale or Simien mountains is one of the only things that you will not be allowed to do in summer. Since this is high season, make sure you book your flight tickets to Addis Ababa in advance and book your hotels in Addis Ababa several weeks in advance. The prices begin to surge since the city welcomes a lot of tourists in this season.

April to September is a low tourist season in Addis Ababa since this is when the monsoon begins. The city can get pretty hot, sticky and uncomfortable in monsoon. While you might get cheap flight tickets to Addis Ababa in monsoon owing to the dip in tourism, it is best to postpone your trip. However, if you still visit the city in monsoon, you will be allowed to go sightseeing at certain parks like the Omo and Mago Valley, but the major attractions remain shut. The temperature ranges from 12 to 25 degree Celsius during summer. October to December is also summer in Addis Ababa, and the temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degree Celsius. However, it is still a shoulder season in the city where only a few tourists will be seen. The weather remains cooler as compared to the high season. October to December is also an ideal time to go hiking in the Simien mountains. You might come across some excellent flight deals to Addis Ababa online during the shoulder season. If you plan to visit any time between October and December, ensure that you make the most of this deal. You will also get great discounts at the hotel you will be staying in, or maybe you pick one that comes with a lot of offers.

Places to Visit in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa has a lot of museums that narrate the sad story of its past. The 'Red Terror' Martyrs Memorial Museum is one of those museums that will shake you. It recalls the terrible incidents that have taken place in the city and give you a perspective in life. The National Museum is yet another popular tourist attraction that you can visit. St George Cathedral and Museum and Holy Trinity Cathedral are few of the other popular spots in the city that you cannot miss. Head over to Merkato if you want to go on a shopping spree. Fair warning: It will be crowded so be prepared for it. You can also visit the Lion of Judah Monument that holds a lot of significant positions in the city. The Derg Monument is a reminder to the people of Addis Ababa about the pain and struggles that they went through during the communist rule. You can also roam around the Addis Ababa University and be amazed at the beautiful campus. You can also climb up the Entoto Mountain and catch the panoramic view of the city from up here. It can get pretty overwhelming. However, make sure that you are hiking up the hill during the right season. It is not safe to hike in the mountains during monsoon. You can also visit the Addis Ababa Museum, which was founded in 1986. The city has a lot of museums and historical landmarks that you cannot miss.

Things to do in Addis Ababa

You can catch the magnificent view of the entire city from Mount Entoto. Hiking in the forest of Eucalyptus trees sure does count as quite an adventure. You can also sign for a sightseeing tour covering all the museums in the city. Mercato is Africa's biggest open-air market, and you will buy everything from handmade baskets to spices at the market. It also has a separate section where shopkeepers sell second-hand items. Head over to Tomoca Coffee for the most refreshing cup of freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee in different flavours. You can also order for Macchiato, which is equally excellent. The Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum is a great place to learn more about Ethiopia's tragic past. If you want to go on a shopping spree for traditional clothes, you can try the Shiro Meda; it is near the US Embassy in Addis Ababa. The restaurants in the city have a very active dance and music scene along with delicious food. Make sure you do try some of that. You can also check out the statue of Emperor Menelik II, who was the founder of Addis Ababa.

Lagar Railway Station is yet another tourist attraction that you cannot miss. It is the first-ever railway station in the city, and its unique architecture is what makes it special. Medhane Alem Church at Bole District is one of the biggest Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Churches, and it is breathtakingly beautiful. Head over to check out the Tiglachin (Dreg) Monument, which stands as a reminder that Ethiopia was victorious over all of its invaders. You can also sign up for a food tour in the city and get to know more about the culinary speciality here.

Food and Restaurants in Addis Ababa

Ethiopian food is known for being spicy, and while it may not be as popular as European or Asian food worldwide, it is worth trying. If you are new to Ethiopian food, your first experience will be out of this world. Addis Ababa has a lot of restaurants that serve traditional Ethiopian food with music and dance. They also have a lot of restaurants that serve other cuisines from all over the world and cannot be missed. Totot is a restaurant that specialises in Ethiopian cuisine. Make sure you order the Kitfo here that melts in your mouth and is quite spicy. The restaurant is packed on weekends so make sure you reach the restaurant early, so you don't have to wait for a long time. Yod Abyssinia is yet another restaurant that reflects the country's food, dance and music culture. The decor of the place is unique, and it is also quite close to the airport. You can order the tibs, Shiro and Doro wat here along with kitfo. The Addis Ababa restaurant in Arada can be a little difficult to find, but it is completely worth it. A lot of locals believe that the food here tastes like homemade food.

How to reach Addis Ababa (Transportation)

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is about 6 km from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Addis Ababa from India is excellent. Ethiopian Airlines has direct flights to Addis Ababa from India. Egyptair, Kenya Airways and Emirates Airline also have flights to Addis Ababa with layovers at Cairo, Nairobi and Dubai. It might be difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Addis Ababa if you book at the last moment. If you book several weeks in advance, you might get exciting flight deals to Addis Ababa online that are worth exploring. It is quite convenient to get a cab or car rental service from the airport to your hotel. However, it is advisable to pre-book your cab online. You can also opt for an airport shuttle service that your hotel might offer. The airport also has premium lounges, restrooms and a lot of other services for the convenience of the passengers. The airport opened its first business class lounge in 2012, and they are also planning to add spas and another lounge soon.

  About Nashville

Nashville is a popular getaway for everyone who loves heading to the East Coast and Midwest in the US. It is the perfect place for travellers who are also food enthusiasts. It is also a great spot for people to throw bachelor and bachelorette parties. You can enjoy country music, head over to the nightclubs to party and numerous cafes. The city attracts a lot of tourists every year and for all the right reasons. There are also high chances that you might run into your favourite celebrity in Nashville. Whether you are at a grocery store or a popular restaurant if you are lucky you might even meet your idol here and be assured that they will pose for a picture with you. The city also has some of the best restaurants that serve everything from hot chicken to barbecue. Combine it with a glass of beer or wine, and you will have a full meal for sure. You will never be left empty-handed with no chores to do in Nashville as the city makes sure that none of the tourists is bored. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Tennessee State Museum are two important landmarks in the city that are worth visiting.

Best Time to Visit Nashville

Nashville is one city that you can visit throughout the year. However, April to October is considered to be the best time to visit the city since the city experiences spring and summer. July is the hottest month while the weather turns quite pleasant in October. The weather conditions in Nashville, however, are unpredictable, and there will be high humidity with increased chances of thunderstorms. Make sure you book your hotels in Nashville several weeks in advance since the prices surge at this time of the year. Book your flight tickets to Nashville in advance to avoid the surge prices. You will also find a lot of tourists heading to Nashville in early spring and summer. The temperature ranges from 8 to 32 degree Celsius. You can attend events like Rock' n' Roll Nashville Marathon and Nashville Comedy Festival in April, Country Music Festival and Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman in June, AmericanaFest and Music City Food and Wine Festival in September.

November to March is the winter season in Nashville, and the temperature ranges from -3 to 16 degree Celsius. Nashville witnesses snowfall from December to February. Make sure you pack your warm clothes. You can attend events like the CMA Awards in November, A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland and Music City Bowl in December and Jack Daniel's Music City Midnight: New Year's Eve in Nashville in January. It is not the most popular tourist season, and you might get exciting flight deals to Nashville during this time. The hotel prices also drop during this time, so if you were to head to Nashville in winter, you might get a great deal on accommodation. You can book a hotel in Nashville at the last moment or even plan an impromptu trip to the city and not worry about where to stay.

Places to Visit in Nashville

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Orlando. You will also learn a lot about the history of country music. Ryman Auditorium is yet another tourist spot that you must visit. It first opened in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle for Samuel Porter Jones, who was a revivalist. It is now a popular venue for live music concerts and seats over 2362 people. Wildhorse Saloon is a popular attraction that offers free line dancing lessons and also hosts live music events and parties. Nashville Parthenon was built in 1897 and is a replica of the 42 feet Athenian replica. It is also an art museum that showcases the works by 19th and 20th-century artists. While you enjoy the vibrant music scene in the city, you can also head to the Arrington Vineyards. It was established in 2003 and became officially open for business from 2007. It is owned by country music artist Kix Brooks, industrialist John Russel and winemaker Kip Summers. They also have a wine club with exclusive membership. Frist Center for the Visual Arts showcases new artworks quite frequently, and you must head over to the centre if you are an art lover.

Belle Meade Plantation is an architectural and historical landmark in Nashville. It was founded by John Harding in 1807 and is spread across 34 acres of land. Tennessee State Capitol is another important tourist attraction in Nashville. It was built in 1859 and inspired by Greek ionic temple architecture. You will find a lot of monuments on the Capitol grounds and opt for a historical tour of the place. If you are visiting cathedrals, you might also want to visit the Cathedral of the Incarnation. This was the third cathedral that was built in the city and has undergone several renovations, but it remains to be one of the most charming places in the city. You can also visit the Tennessee State Museum and Cumberland Park, and both are great places for you to head to with your kids to make the trip a tad more educational.

Things to do in Nashville

Nashville is known for its country music, and if you love the genre, you will love visiting Nashville. You can sign up for a guided tour of the city with a local to cover all the best spots in the city. You can also explore the city on your own. However, if you are visiting the city with your family, it is best to hire a local guide who will not only show you the best spots in Nashville but also tell you all the interesting facts and stories about the place. Head over to Broadway, a vital part of the city with pubs and lounges that also have live music. You can also go bar hopping here since all the clubs are quite close to each other. You can take a tour of the Grand Ole Opry where the country's top performers like Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley have also performed. The Belle Meade Plantation is one of the best places in Nashville where you can take a ton of pictures. The mansion is also home to several animals like horses, bison, etc. Sign up for a Jack Daniel's Distillery tour that starts from Nashville, and you will also get to go for the free tastings here. To add more romance to your trip, try the General Jackson Showboat lunch or dinner cruise.

Foods and Restaurants in Nashville

Fried chicken and barbecued pork dominated the dining scene in Nashville earlier, but the city has welcomed all kinds of foods with open arms. You will be happy to hear that the restaurants in the city serve delicious food while making sure that your cholesterol doesn't shoot up. The food here is quite healthy so you will only have to make certain alterations to your diet if you are on one. You will find a lot of Mediterranean, Indian, Italian, Mexican and Cajun cuisines in the city. It is best to sign up for a food tour to get to the best restaurants in the city. Prince's Hot Chicken Shack Bolton's Spicy Chicken & Fish, Hattie B's are some of the popular restaurants where you can try Nashville's hot chicken. You can also sample some delicacies at Black Rabbit and a lot of other Southern food and burger joints in the neighbourhood. Dining at Butcher & Bee and The Treehouse Restaurant is highly recommended. Nashville has an impressive line-up of breweries and distilleries that you must visit. You can also go bar hopping along the Broadway. The Cupcake Collection and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams are the best places for desserts. You can head over to Five Points Pizza for a delicious Italian meal. Rodizio Grill is also pretty popular for its steak and Brazilian cuisine. If you are in the mood to try some Mexican food, head over to Bartaco.

How to reach Nashville

Nashville International Airport is the nearest on to the city and was built in 1987. The flight connectivity to Nashville from India is quite good. American Airlines and British Airways have frequent flights to Nashville from India with layovers at New York, Chicago, Dallas and London. It is not very easy to get cheap flight tickets to Nashville, and the journey can be a tad strenuous since it is over 20 hours. However, if you book well in advance, you might get exciting flight deals to Nashville online. To celebrate the musical culture of Nashville, the airport hosts live music events for passengers, and there couldn't be a better welcome to the city than this. You will also find premium lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas and children's play areas at the airport. The taxi and car rental service from the airport are convenient and easily accessible, too. You can either pre-book your ride to the hotel from the airport or find one at the airport itself.

  About Emirates Airlines

Emirates, based in Garhoud, Dubai, is a state-owned carrier airline of United Arab Emirates. It is a subsidiary of the Emirates Group, wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai. Emirates is undoubtedly the largest airline in the Middle East which has operations of more than 3,600 flights in a week from Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, the hub of the airlines. It connects to over 150 international cities spread across 80 countries and has flights to six continents. With a fleet carrying about 300 aircraft along with cargo activities that fall under Emirates SkyCargo, it easily becomes one of the biggest and important airlines in the world.

The airline came into existence in 1985 after Gulf Air decreased the flight services to Dubai. Emirates was originally backed by Dubai's royal family as well as two flight services from Pakistan International Airlines on wet-lease. The start-up capital of the airlines was $10 million and operated independently from the government. Further on this, Pakistan International Airlines also enabled training services to help Emirates' cabin crew. The following years saw some tremendous expansion and put Emirates on the map of the top airlines in the world. This has been possible thanks to the leadership of their current chairman, Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The airlines have managed to expand their fleet size as well as the number of destinations.

Dubai International Airport even constructed a new terminal building dedicated to Emirates in 2008. All operations concerning the airport have since been moved to Terminal 3 of the airport. Emirates currently operates a mixed fleet which includes Boeing wide-body aircraft along with Airbus among them. It has been recorded that Emirates is the largest operator of Airbus A380, as of 2019, with about 115 aircraft service. The airlines plan to add eight more to its fleet. Ever since the introduction of Airbus A380, it has become an indispensable part of the Emirates fleet. It is perfect for long-haul international routes. Along with Airbus A380, Emirates is also known to be the largest operator of Boeing 777 in the world with 144 aircraft functioning from under the airlines.

Fleet size of Emirates

The fleet size of Emirates currently stands at 259 aircraft. The airline is the only one in the world to operate the largest fleet of massive aircraft, Boeing 777 and Airbus A380. The two aircraft are known for their gigantic sizes. Along with the two major aircraft, Emirates also accommodates A319, which flies as an executive jet. Since 1995, the airlines have not accommodated single-aisle aircraft as part of its mainline fleet.

Back in February 2019, Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to add 40 A330-900s and 30 A350-900s to their fleet. Simultaneously, they also plan to reduce the total number of Airbus A380 aircraft to 123. Post this, Airbus plans to cease production for A380. However, the same year, the airlines announced to order 50 instead of 30 A350-900s for a sum of USD16 billion. In the same year, Emirates also ordered 30 787-9s which values at USD8.8 billion. Deliveries of the same will commence in 2023 as the fleet further plans to reduce the order of 777Xs from a total of 150 to 126.

The livery on all Emirates flights features the flag of United Arab Emirates painted on the vertical stabilizer along with a white fuselage and the word Emirates etched in golden. The same design was introduced in 1999 and was first featured on the Boeing 777-300 as well as on all the Airbus A330 aircraft. The complete repainting of the fleet to the said design happened in 2005. An Arabic version of Emirates is also painted on the livery but has been etched in a smaller size.

Inflight services

First-class cabin services - In the first-class cabin, it has been segregated into two types of seating, one that is fully enclosed suite with a floor door extended to the ceiling and the second, also with doors but not the kind that extends up to the ceiling. The suite ensures complete privacy with in-flight services such as a coat rack, mini-bar and ample storage space. An ICE entertainment system has also been installed with a 23-inch wide LCD screen. The seat can be converted into a fully flat bed too. Interestingly, Emirates' in-flight services for first-class and business-class cabins also include lounge areas with a bar, shower-equipped lavatories and a spa. A 13-inch tablet to communicate with the cabin crew or call for room service is also available to upscale the first-class scenes for travellers.

Business-class cabin services - Emirates' in-flight services for business class cabins include a 2-meter long recliner that stretches up to 79 inches lie-flat bed. Some of the amenities present in the cabin include partitions for privacy, a winged headrest that has a six-way movement, individual reading lights, in-seat power supply, RCA socket to connect laptops and ICE entertainment system, to name a few. Business-class cabins of Airbus A380-800 aircraft accommodates flat-beds and personal mini-bars. However, due to the awkward layout of the cabin, some of the beds stretch only up to 70 inches instead of 79. Business-class travellers are also given access to the on-board bar which is located at the rear of the aircraft.

Premium economy class services - While no other aircraft of Emirates' fleet accommodates a Premium Economy Class, the same is available in their first Boeing 777X. The seats have been curated to fit the design of what can be found in Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs. These will be introduced in the aircraft that is slated to release in 2020-21. Details of the same are yet to be revealed by the airlines.

Economy class services - Emirates' economy class is not blessed with all the world-class features that their other cabins do, but it still has enough to keep the passengers comfortable. The seats offered on Airbus and Boeing 777 aircraft is approximately 34 inches. It has ten seats lined up in a row with adjustable headrests and an ICE entertainment system that offers 3000 channels. Not to mention how the seat also comes with a laptop power outlet in some of the newer aircraft. An additional recline is also available in A380 aircraft.

In-flight entertainment and dining services - Emirates prides itself on being the first airlines in the world to propose a personal entertainment system on commercial aircraft. The same was introduced in 1992, right after Virgin Atlantic brought forth similar ideation along with an entertainment system. Emirates' in-flight services include personal entertainment system which is of two types, ICE and ICE Digital Widescreen. Larger high definition screens have been installed in all classes of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 fleet. ICE is information, communication and entertainment and an in-flight service offered by Emirates. ICE also provides communication services which include sending and receiving emails for USD1 per message.

There are provisions to access mobile broadband services in flight as well. The same was introduced in 2008 and had been functioning well since. The airlines also offer scrumptious meals during the flight. Catering for the same is done by Emirates Flight Catering service, which operates one of the largest facility for airline catering in the world. Emirates strictly follows a halal dietary guideline and all meals are prepared accordingly. Much recently, Emirates also signed a million-dollar venture with Oakland-based Crop One Holding. The deal is to build and maintain the largest hydroponic growing facility that would provide yields to Emirates' fleet.

Baggage allowance

As long as you are able to meet the weight criteria, you can carry as many baggage on Emirates flights as possible. Depending on the class ticket that the traveller has purchased, the flight does have weight allowance segregated. As per the economy class' rules, the baggage on Emirates should not weigh beyond 32 kg. The weight concept applies to all international routes chosen by Emirates. As for first-class and business-class, the weight is 50 kg and 40 kg respectively. Emirates does not have baggage allowance with respect to numbers but requests passengers to adhere to the weight.

Popular routes and top cities for Emirates

Emirates has impeccable connectivity with respect to flights within the Middle East. Some of the domestic routes chosen by Emirates include countries such as Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Melbourne, Dhaka, Cambodia, Beijing, Hong Kong, Delhi, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo-Haneda, Singapore, Seoul, Male, Karachi, Christchurch, Auckland, Seychelles, Colombo, Hanoi and Bangkok in Asia, are some of the top cities that the airlines have flight operations in.

In terms of global reach, Emirates flies to international routes such as Addis Ababa, Cairo, Lagos, Cape Town, London, Istanbul, Zurich, Moscow, Lisbon, Madrid, Amsterdam, Athens, Rome, Dublin, Frankfurt, Paris, Copenhagen, New York City, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City to name a few.

Why travel by Emirates?

On a global scale, Emirates is the fourth-largest airline in the world in terms of passenger-kilometres flown and the second with respect to freight tonne-kilometres flown. The airlines have over the years built a name for itself to be the best with respect to comfort and connectivity. You can book Emirates flights online on all travel websites as well as the official site. Plus, you can find Emirates' flight schedules and check flight status on the website as well.