Review: Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge – Ethiopian Airlines Flagship
I recently had the chance to fly with Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier — and one of the world’s top four airlines by destinations served. That means you’ll spot their vibrant green-yellow-red tail at more airports worldwide than many Western carriers.
But how does their flagship home lounge in Addis Ababa measure up to that impressive global reputation? Let’s take a closer look inside the Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD).
🛫 Location & Access
The Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge is located in Terminal 2, near Gate A13. If you’re transiting through Addis Ababa, you’ll need to clear security again before heading up to the departures level.
Ethiopian operates several lounges for premium travelers:
-
Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge – for Business Class passengers
-
Platinum Lounge – for ShebaMiles Platinum members
-
Star Alliance Gold Lounge – for ShebaMiles Gold and Star Alliance Gold members
During my visit, I only spotted two visible lounge entrances — possibly meaning the Platinum section is an exclusive area within the main Cloud Nine space.
💡 Access tip: Lounge access is only valid if your outbound flight from Addis is in Business Class. Arriving in Business but departing in Economy will not grant entry.
✨ First Impressions
The lounge opens with a manned reception desk, which was quite busy during my evening visit.
I like the whole red carpet VIP vibe going on here, similar to the Fast Track security area I just came from !
The atmosphere felt modern yet compact, and while welcoming, the space could benefit from being a little larger to accommodate the high volume of connecting passengers.
☕ Coffee Lounge
Immediately to the left of reception is a dedicated coffee lounge — a fitting touch given Ethiopia’s heritage as the birthplace of coffee.
The area was quiet during my late-evening stay, but during daytime transits, it’s likely a great spot for a fresh brew or a chat before boarding.
Past this, you will find the rest of the lounge facilities on the right.. you will also see a some signs pointing to the various rooms you will find here
💆 Massage Room & Quiet Corners
Just past the coffee area is a massage room, which sadly appeared out of service during my visit.
Nearby, a small section displaying Ethiopian artwork and cultural pieces offers a calm, low-traffic corner — ideal for travellers seeking solitude.
You will find dedicated prayer and ablution rooms here too.
🍸 The Staffed Bar
It’s always nice to see a dedicated staffed bar in an airport lounge.
The Cloud Nine bar features soft ambient lighting and surrounding stools — a good space to unwind, though not particularly lively.
Still, it adds variety and a premium touch to the experience.
I did not drink on this particular evening, however there were some good liquors and spirits on display.
🥗 Light Buffet & Snacks
Next comes the International Buffet section, offering cold plates, salads, fruits, and light bites.
It’s smaller than the main dining area, but perfect for those who prefer a light snack before their flight.
There are dining tables specifically for this area also so you don’t have to go into main room if you don’t want to.
🛋️ Main Lounge Area
The main lounge follows a rectangular layout with multiple seating zones.
The décor leans towards neutral, earthy tones, with subtle Ethiopian patterns adding cultural flair.
Lighting, however, is somewhat harsh and uneven, making some areas feel less relaxing.
Seating primarily consists of black leather armchairs arranged in clusters — comfortable enough, but power outlets are scarce, with only a few floor sockets visible.
More refreshment stations would also help during busy transit waves.
🍛 Main Hot Buffet
This is easily the highlight of the Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge.
The main buffet offers an impressive mix of local Ethiopian cuisine and international dishes — hearty, flavourful, and beautifully presented.
Arriving during peak dinner hours, I found the food selection generous and constantly replenished. The Ethiopian dishes in particular Miser Kik Wat were outstanding — rich and aromatic, with that signature spice profile locals love.
When you’re done, you might most likely need a sweet fix, and there are some treats to help
If wanted something healthier instead, there are a good selection of fresh fruits too..
😴 Quiet Room
Given Ethiopian’s global network and 24-hour operations, it’s great to find a dedicated quiet room for rest between long connections.
Inside, you’ll find reclined black loungers suitable for short naps. They’re not full lie-flat seats, but ideal for a quick recharge. Bring a light blanket or extra layer, as the room can be cool and no bedding is provided.
The space was popular and well-used during my visit.
🚿 Showers & Restrooms
The lounge also offers shower facilities, though they were all occupied when I checked — a sign they’re in demand. Restrooms were clean and functional, if a bit basic compared to newer lounges elsewhere.
💭 Overall Thoughts
As Ethiopian Airlines’ flagship Business Class lounge, the Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge delivers solid comfort and excellent dining — but lacks the distinctive design or luxury polish seen in other global hubs.
Still, the food is outstanding, the staff attentive, and the range of amenities — from coffee lounge to quiet room — makes it a comfortable place to refresh during long transits.
On a sunny day, the airfield views from the windows would add another nice touch. Even on a rainy evening like mine, it’s a pleasant space to rest and refuel before your next flight. S
If you want to read what Ethiopian Cloud Nine Business experience is like, you can read this here. Stay tuned for my flagship Ethiopian Business Class experience on their A350 to London soon !
🧭 Verdict
✅ Excellent Ethiopian cuisine
✅ Good amenities: bar, coffee lounge, quiet room
⚠️ Limited power outlets & harsh lighting
⚠️ Massage room currently out of use
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
A comfortable and practical flagship lounge, best enjoyed for its warm service and authentic Ethiopian food.
Faze, founder of Wander Up Front and Elevate Your Stay, is a London-based travel specialist with a deep passion for aviation. With over 2 million miles flown, he has spent the last 7 years focusing on First and Business class experiences.
Faze provides straightforward, no-frills insights into premium airline products and services, sharing what matters to help travellers make informed choices.
Follow him on his adventures and behind the scene stories on Instagram !