Addis Ababa to London (ADD–LGW) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
ADD–LGW is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Ethiopian Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 3,655 miles in approximately 8h 5m. Beyond nonstop, 26 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ET Ethiopian Airlines | 4 | 788 | 8h05 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
ADD: EAT · LGW: GMT
When it's 6:00 PM in Addis Ababa, it's 3:00 PM in London.
Ethiopian passport holders need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Apply online through the UK government visa portal (gov.uk/standard-visitor) and attend a biometrics appointment at the VFS Global center in Addis Ababa. The Standard Visitor visa costs GBP 115 and allows stays up to 6 months. Processing takes about 3 weeks, but it can stretch to 6 weeks during busy periods.
You will need to fill out the online application, upload a digital passport photo, and book a biometrics appointment. At the appointment, bring your passport, the appointment confirmation, and supporting documents: bank statements (last 6 months), employment or business proof, travel itinerary, and accommodation details. The UK does not require travel insurance, but you must prove you can support yourself financially and that you will leave before your visa expires.
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. There is no minimum validity requirement beyond that. Ethiopian Airlines flies direct from Addis Ababa to London Heathrow. The flight is about 8 hours. The UK is not part of the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa does not cover the UK and vice versa.
The Gatwick Express departs the South Terminal every 15 minutes to London Victoria (30 min, from £21.50). Thameslink services are cheaper and provide direct access to Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, and London Bridge; useful for destinations in the City and East London. Both terminal buildings are connected by a free inter-terminal monorail shuttle (2 min).Taxis from arrivals queue outside; metered fares to central London typically run £70–100 and can exceed this during peak hours. Uber and other ride-shares operate from a designated zone. Rental car desks are in both terminal buildings.
Temperate maritime climate. Winters (November–February) are cool and grey at 3–9°C, with fog, low cloud, and occasional light snow causing moderate delay risks. Summers (June–August) are mild at 18–25°C. Heat waves are increasingly common and can affect ramp operations. Rain falls year-round with no dry season.
Wind is a more frequent disruption factor than snow at Gatwick. The airport has a single active runway and is sensitive to crosswinds. Autumn storms (October–November) occasionally cause significant delays.
ADD–LGW Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from ADD to LGW
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) are connected by nonstop service from Ethiopian Airlines. With 4 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
ADD to LGW Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from ADD to LGW ranges from 8 hours 5 minutes. The route covers a distance of 3,655 miles (5,883 km). There are approximately 4 weekly flights outbound and 4 return, totaling 8 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
26 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 11 hours via MED. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.