Ethiopian Airlines’ Dreamliners will fly to Chicago

Ben Mutzabaugh | USA TODAY

Chicago has become one of the newest dots on Ethiopian Airlines' global flight map.

The carrier is set to begin flying from O’Hare International Airport on June 10, offering three flights a week to its hub near Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa.

The flight from Chicago is scheduled for 13 hours, 45 minutes and will be the only non-stop service connecting Chicago to Africa. The return Chicago-bound flight stops in Dublin on its way from Addis Ababa. Ethiopian will use Boeing 787-8 “Dreamliners” for the flights.

Ethiopian says Chicago customers will be able to connect via Addis Ababa to more than 55 destinations across Africa.

Chicago O’Hare will become the fourth U.S. destination for Ethiopian, which has flown to the U.S. since 1998. Its other U.S. gateways are Newark Liberty, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles.

"We will be filling a critical air connectivity vacuum as our flights will be the only direct service between Chicago and Africa," Ethiopian CEO Tewolde Gebremariam says in a statement. "Chicago is the main hub of our Star Alliance partner, United Airlines, and the flight will be operated together with United to avail the best product for travelers from all over the U.S. connecting to more than 55 destinations in Africa."

IN PICTURES: 30 cool aviation photos