Ethiopian Airlines delay and cancellation compensation
11.6%
Cancels
Of its scheduled flights
71.1%
Arrives on time
Within 15 minutes
1,233
Flights measured
January 2025 – August 2026
The cancellation rate is the number that matters on this page: cancellation is what triggers a refund right. Delay, in the United States, does not.
Which rules apply to a Ethiopian Airlines flight depends on where you take off
Ethiopian Airlines is not based in a country with its own compensation scheme, so what you are owed follows the departure airport rather than the airline. Leaving an EU airport puts you under EC 261 whoever you fly; leaving a UK airport puts you under UK261; leaving a US airport gives you refund rights but no compensation.
The one rule that applies everywhere
If Ethiopian Airlines cancels your flight and you decline the alternative, you are owed your money back for the unused portion — whatever the reason, weather included. A voucher is something you may accept, never something you can be required to take.
Where Ethiopian Airlines flies from, and what applies there
| Departing from | Flights | Scheme that applies |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopia | 522 | No compensation scheme |
| United Kingdom | 493 | UK261 — cash compensation possible |
| Brazil | 124 | No compensation scheme |
About Ethiopian Airlines's record
Is Ethiopian Airlines reliable?
Ethiopian Airlines arrived on time 71.1% of the time across 1,233 flights, ranking 86 of 86 airlines measured. That is below average for the airlines measured here.
How often does Ethiopian Airlines cancel flights?
11.6% of its scheduled flights were cancelled. Cancellation matters more than delay for a traveller: it is the outcome that costs a day, and the one that triggers a refund entitlement.
When Ethiopian Airlines is late, how late is it?
About 40 minutes on average across its delayed arrivals.
This page explains published rules and is not legal advice. AirlineGrades is independent and not affiliated with Ethiopian Airlines. Confirm current thresholds with the relevant regulator before relying on them. The full guide →