Ethiopian Airlines — Erratic service and incompetent and at times illiterate ground staff.

Erratic service and incompetent and at times illiterate ground staff.

Be very careful flying with this airline, particularly if you are flying from a jurisdiction that has limited customer protection.

I was denied boarding by an incompetent and illiterate gate agent in Cotonou. The agent could not read English and claimed my visa was not valid. Upon further review of my visa documents, check-in staff at Cotonou airport admitted that my visa was valid, but only AFTER I had been denied boarding and had missed my flight. Ground staff at Cotonou airport was unwilling to help and rebook the ticket.

The call center of Ethiopian Airlines was thoroughly unhelpful as well. They keep you waiting for hours and claim that matters have to be resolved at the local airport and that there is nothing they can do.