Cloud Nine Lounge I

Catering runs slightly better on Cloud Nine Lounge I than the Star Gold side.

This is Ethiopian Airlines’ business-class lounge in Terminal 2, open 24/7 and sitting next to its near-twin Star Gold lounge. Physically, regulars say the two feel almost the same, but many walk over here when they can because the food tends to be a notch up. If your boarding pass gives you a choice of the two Ethiopian-operated lounges in T2, this is the one frequent flyers usually ask for.

Cloud Nine Lounge I sits airside in T2, serving Ethiopian Airlines passengers on international flights around the clock, including those 02:00–05:00 departure banks. Reviews group it with three other Ethiopian lounges in T2 that also run 24 hours, but this one is flagged as the premium business-class space. Expect the usual hot and cold buffet rather than made-to-order dining; think practical refueling before a 6–8 hour sector rather than a destination restaurant.

Food is the main differentiator here: multiple FlyerTalk posts call out slightly better catering compared with the adjacent Star Gold lounge, even though the seating, décor and layout all feel nearly identical. You’ll typically see a rotation of hot dishes plus snacks that hold up during the 23:00–03:00 rush, when much of T2 is on Ethiopian long-haul time. If you’re status-only and get sent to the Star Gold side, some agents will still wave you into Cloud Nine when traffic allows; it never hurts to ask politely at the desk.

Drinks are basic but functional, aligned with other Ethiopian-operated lounges in T2 that are referenced in the same 24-hour lounge lists online. Expect soft drinks, coffee, tea and a short alcoholic lineup rather than a deep bar. Seating skews standard armchairs in grouped zones, enough to plug a laptop in and ride out a four-hour layover between an African regional arrival and a late-night Europe or Asia departure.

Regulars on FlyerTalk who connect through Addis several times a year say they specifically aim for Cloud Nine Lounge I when they have a longer wait, because the marginally better buffet makes a difference on back-to-back overnight sectors. They’ll often time a proper meal here 60–90 minutes before a 7–8 hour flight, then just take a light tray on board. That pattern shows up most with passengers doing West Africa–ADD–Europe runs.

Practical tip: if your connection in T2 is more than three hours and you’re sent to the Star Gold lounge, ask staff if Cloud Nine Lounge I is available on your ticket; a two-minute walk can mean better food before a long leg out of Addis.