Addis Ababa to Shanghai Egypt Airways 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 Shanghai

Shanghai is one city that believes in 'Change is the only constant' and actually implements it. If the old restaurants in the city aren't changing their decor or remodelling, they get replaced by a new store. Shanghai is a city that has been developing rapidly. It is one of the most dynamic cities in China and has a vibrant nightlife. You will also find a lot of tall buildings and skyscrapers in the city. Shanghai is also known for its rich history, trendy architecture and several Michelin star restaurants. There is very little chance of you finding vegetarian food in the city, but otherwise, the culinary experience here is stunning. Even if you are not an art lover, you will find yourself appreciating the art museums and galleries in the city. Shanghai also has a lot of water towns in the city, which offer a tranquil getaway. Shanghai has a lot of towns that represent places like Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Spain and Sweden. The city is also well-connected to other cities in China if you are planning to explore them.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai

Autumn is the peak tourist season for Shanghai. April and May is the spring season in the city with the temperature ranging from 10 to 23 degree Celsius. There are several national festivals celebrated in the city during this time, which means there will be a surge in hotel prices. Make sure you book your hotel in Shanghai well in advance if you are planning to visit during these months. You must also book your flight tickets to Shanghai well in advance. However, it is advisable to not plan your trip to Shanghai in April or May. You can attend events like the Qingming Festival and Youth Day. It's also May Day or Labor Day on 1st May. This is not the busiest time for the city, but you will get to witness beautiful blossoms in the parks in the city.

June to September is the peak travel season in Shanghai and the busiest time for the city. The temperature ranges from 20 to 31 degree Celsius, and the weather is not very pleasant. The room rates are quite high, and you will find a lot of tourists in the city, too. There are also possibilities of typhoons in the city during late summer. It also rains quite a lot in the city during this time. You can attend events like the Dragon Boat Festival and Army's Day. The city also celebrates International Children's Day on 1st June. Since this is peak tourist time, hotels will be completely booked. Make sure you book your hotel in Shanghai several weeks in advance, so you get a decent deal and for a low price. There are slim chances that you will get cheap flight tickets to Shanghai during this season.

The fall season begins in October and lasts till November. The temperature ranges from 8 to 22 degree Celsius and hotel prices drop considerably. While the days are warmer, the nights are quite chilly, so make sure that you pack a couple of warm clothes, too. The weather provides quite a relief from the scorching summer heat. The rainfalls also reduce quite a lot in the fall season. The first week of October attracts a lot of Chinese tourists, owing to the public holiday. December to March is the winter season in Shanghai. It doesn't get as cold as it does in Beijing, but it is still not the best time to visit the city. With Chinese New Year in January/February, the hotel prices and flight tickets to Shanghai witness a surge. The temperature ranges from 0 to 13 degree Celsius. It is best to avoid travelling to Shanghai during this time since there will be a lot of traffic and it will be difficult to enjoy a vacation in Shanghai during this time. It goes without saying that you will also find it difficult to get good flight deals to Shanghai in winter.

Places to Visit in Shanghai

While Shanghai seems like it is just a concrete jungle, but it has quite a lot of sightseeing options in store for you. The Bund is a very attractive building in Shanghai. While it is a very common site for the locals, if you are visiting the city for the first time, you will be completely blown over. Try to visit the building at sunrise for the best experience. You will find a lot of pensioners flying kites and practice tai chi. The Propaganda Poster Art Centre is an art museum that you can visit even if you are not interested in art and history a lot. Eight ancient water towns surround Shanghai. You can either visit them all, or you can just stop at Qibao to experience it all. It is known for its delicious street food, and you can also go on a shopping spree here without burning a hole in your pocket. Fuxing Park is another popular spot in the city. It was one of the largest parks in the city and is a common hangout spot for the senior citizens in the locality. M50 is an architectural landmark which is short for Moganshan 50. It is a very hip and happening contemporary art district. You will find some of the best art galleries in the neighbourhood.

Caojiadu Flower and Bird Market is another popular place where you can go on a shopping spree. While the first floor has a lot of outdoor plants, herbs, birds, turtles and other animals, you can shop for wedding supplies and home decor items on the second floor. You can also head to Shanghai Disneyland. The speciality of the amusement park is that the rides have been modified to cater to the Chinese audience. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is dedicated to nature, earth, robotics, space travel and is a popular place to visit. You can also head over to the Longhua Temple. You will find a lot of peace here. Chongming Island is another popular tourist attraction in the city that is worth visiting. If you want to go on a shopping spree, you can also head to Xintiandi, a very popular mall in the city. You cannot leave Shanghai without checking out the Shanghai Circus World.

Things to do in Shanghai

You can opt for a sightseeing tour of the city or explore it on your own. However, it is advisable that you hire a tour guide to get to know the city better. The city has a lot of museums that you can head to whether or not you love art and history. If you love science, you must definitely head to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Zhujiajiao is like the Venice of Shanghai and is worth a visit. Shanghai is also known for its unique cuisines. You can either sign up for a food tour or join a cooking class to learn how to make a few Chinese cuisines. If you want a spiritual experience, you can head over to Longhua Temple. You can also offer your prayers as you learn more about Buddhism. Catch an acrobatics show at the Shanghai Circus World.

Food and Restaurants in Shanghai

Local street food is highly recommended if you are visiting Shanghai for the first time. However, you will also find a lot of fine dining, Michelin star restaurants in the city. It might be a tad expensive, but completely worth it. It will be quite difficult to find vegetarian food on the menu here or at local food joints. However, if you love meat or seafood, you can try the Xiaolongbao here or Liang pi. While the street food here is quite famous, a lot of locals prefer it for breakfast only. Aura Lounge and Jazz Bar at The Ritz-Carlton is a popular place to head to for dinner. The ambience and service here are impeccable. You can also head to The Roof for a couple of drinks and delicious food. Jin Xuan Chinese Restaurant is another restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton where you will find a variety of Chinese and Asian food. Yi Cafe at Pudong Shangri-La is another popular place to try seafood and Asian cuisine. Sakemate is another restaurant that you must try. The menu includes Japanese, Peruvian, Latin and Asian cuisines.

How to reach Shanghai (Transportation)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport serves the city. The flight connectivity to Shanghai from India is excellent. Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways have frequent flights to Shanghai from India with layovers at Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo and Hong Kong. If you travel during the offseason, you might get cheap flight tickets to Shanghai. You will get taxis or car rental services from the airport quite easily to your hotel. However, it is best that you book your tickets and hotel in advance so you don't end up paying a high price and make the most of the deals you might find online.

  About EgyptAir

EgyptAir is the official national flag carrier of Egypt. The airline has its headquarters in Cairo International Airport, which also plays as its main hub. A majority of scheduled passenger flight operations and freight services connect to about 75 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America. The airline is also a recognised member of the Star Alliance airline carrier and is part of the Arab Air Carriers Organization. EgyptAir came into existence in 1932 after Airwork chairman Alan Muntz expressed his intention to start a new airline in Egypt. The enterprise was originally named Misr Airwork, where Misr stood for the Arabic name of Egypt. The government also granted the company exclusive rights to conduct transport operations. Following the founding of the company, Misr Airwork introduced Misr Airlines as its first subsidiary in 1932. The idea of bringing forth the airline was to promote the spirit of aviation among the youth of Egypt. It managed to become the seventh carrier in the world and had its headquarters in Almaza Aerodrome, Heliopolis, Cairo.

Following its genesis, the airline's operations commenced in 1933 with the use of de Havilland DH.84 Dragon. The flight was connected to Alexandria and Mersa Matruh from Cairo. The same year, the frequency of flight services doubled as the demand increased. Eventually, the airline managed to extend its domestic route network by connecting to cities such as Aswan, Gaza, Lydda, Haifa, Luxor and more. The state of Egypt received sola shareholding power of the company and changed its name to Misair SAE. Following the change in ownership, the airline continued to fly the same routes. Subsequently, the airline also purchased Douglas DC-3s to be deployed for domestic routes as well as a few Arab countries. A few years later, Misair once again changed its name to United Arab Airlines and added Viscounts in its fleet to cater to medium-haul flights. The name was given to the airline following the formation of Egypt and Syria to become the United Arab Republic. International route services to Athens, Rome and Zurich commenced as the airline expanded its fleet with more DC-3s, six Viscounts and six Vikings.

In 1971, the airline was renamed as EgyptAir following a change in the name of the country to the Arab Republic of Egypt. EgyptAir is a state-owned enterprise that has proper legalisation, allowing the management to operate as a private entity would function, without any external interference, especially from the government. The self-financed company has no backing from the Egyptian government. In 2002, EgyptAir underwent tremendous corporate re-engineering as they reworked on the management style from a government-oriented into a holding company. The restructuring of the management happened at the same time as the civil aviation's announcement of the Egyptian government to refurbish and upgrade its airport facilities. EgyptAir owns two subsidiaries, namely EgyptAir Express and Air Sinai. The airline also has a 60 per cent stake in Air Cairo as well as a 20 per cent share in Smart Aviation Company. In 2011, the airline did succumb to tremendous losses after the revolution. An estimated 1.3 billion Egyptian pounds were recorded as losses during the fiscal year 2012-13. However, despite the tremendous loss suffered by the airline, they managed to bring back their A-game in the aviation industry.

Fleet size of EgyptAir

As of 2020, EgyptAir's fleet size stands at 67 with flights from the Airbus and Boeing aircraft family. EgyptAir became the 37th customer for Airbus A330/340s in 1995 after ordering three Airbus A340s. In 1996, the airline received its first 260-seater aircraft which was brought in on lease from Gulf Air. The airline also purchased a 308-seater Boeing 77-200s for a whopping USD 400 million 1995. The GE-90 powered aircraft with A340-200s were brought in as replacements to the fleet's Airbus A300B4 and Boeing 767-200 fleet. EgyptAir also ordered seven Airbus A330-200 aircraft in 2003 to replace its existing Airbus A300-600R fleet. EgyptAir has an old relationship with Boeing aircraft manufacturer. The airline received its first Boeing 707 in 1968. In 2010, 346-seater Boeing 777-300ER was delivered by the aircraft company to Egyptair, becoming the first-ever addition of such a massive seater-aircraft in the airline's fleet. In 2017, EgyptAir also announced that they would be placing an order for a purchase of six Boeing 787-9s and fifteen Airbus A320neos. Eventually, in 2019, the airline made its order at the Dubai Airshow that they are purchasing seven A321neos and eight A320neos.

Baggage Allowance

EgyptAir's baggage allowance rules and regulations are quite diverse as it also accommodates the protocols of Star Alliance's membership perks. Predominantly, the baggage allowance on EgyptAir's economy class differs according to the fare rules shared by the airline. However, the weight per piece of baggage should not exceed 23 kg. The dimensions of the bag should also not exceed 158 cm. While the baggage dimension rule applies to the business class traveller as well, the number of bags allowed is two pieces. The weight per piece of baggage should not exceed 32 kg individually. The perks of travelling by business class in terms of baggage allowance are certainly high. In terms of hand luggage too, the business class receives permission to carry two pieces of baggage on board with each piece weighing no more than 8 kg. The economy class passengers are allowed to carry one piece of hand baggage which cannot weigh more than 8 kg. Along with these bags, travellers are also allowed to additionally carry an extra piece of a small bag which could be a handbag or a laptop bag.

In-flight services

EgyptAir's in-flight services have received tremendous positive responses from travellers around the world. Much recently, the airline did announce that it would be undergoing some refurbishments and upgrades to enhance the experience of passengers flying with them. Since the announcement, the airline has catered to better in-flight services. The seating configuration in their aircraft along with the plush seating has seen a drastic change for the better. It is more comfortable and caters to the needs of the passengers. The recline is pretty decent, and even the provision of personal entertainment systems with engaging and updated content adds to its perks. The aircraft does cater to decent recline as well as legroom that is better than many of the airlines in the world. One can also choose the seats they want ahead of the flight.

The airline provides exemplary in-flight meal services that go down well with the passenger's gastronomical desires. Since one of the subsidiaries of EgyptAir is also the catering service that provides for the airline's in-flight meals, the meals meet with high standards. Depending on the type of journey and distance, the airline offers complimentary meals in-flight. EgyptAir is one of the few airlines in the world that does not serve alcohol on its flights, owing to the traditional Islamic beliefs. The in-flight staff are also quite friendly and accommodating to any requirements that the passenger might need during the journey.

Popular routes and top cities for EgyptAir

EgyptAir was voted as the newest airline to join the Star Alliance airline alliance becoming the first one from an Arab country to join the bandwagon. A ceremony to commemorate the same was held at Cairo International Airport in the same year as it became the 21st member of the alliance body. Over the years, EgyptAir has managed to upscale its connectivity with extensive domestic routes and international routes. It has phenomenal connectivity to various European, African and Middle Eastern cities. As on 2020, the airline caters to international destinations such as Vienna, Bahrain, Brussels, Toronto, Nicosia, Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor, Addis Ababa, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Accra, Athens, Mykonos, Hong Kong, Budapest, Mumbai, Baghdad, Milan, Rome, Tokyo-Narita, Amman, Kuwait City, Amsterdam, Abuja, Lagos, Muscat, Moscow, Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, Barcelona, Geneva, Tunisia, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, New York City and Washington DC.

Why travel by EgyptAir?

EgyptAir is easily one of the archaic airlines in the world and has earned quite a reputation over the years. With an extensive fleet that only has the best-handpicked aircraft along with impeccable in-flight services, it easily becomes one of the best to pick, especially to travel to international routes such as Europe, Africa or the Middle East. EgyptAir's domestic route connectivity is also excellent, making travelling within Egypt convenient. As part of its expansion and up-gradation plans, the airline has accommodated several good services that can be availed on a mobile phone. Passengers can get updates on the flight status as well as do web check-ins on the airline's official website.

Similarly, the airline also enables exquisite in-flight services that would make one's journey cosy. Booking an EgyptAir flight is also easy as it has a global presence and can be found on all travel portals. Not to mention how the travellers can book tickets on the airline's official website itself. Simultaneously, one can also check EgyptAir's flight schedule and pick the most convenient one. The airline is easily one of the most sought-after with great facilities to offer.