KQ321
Mar 31, 12, 6:50 am
I realise that Cairo may not seem the most obvious SkyTeam ‘virtual hub’, but it’s served by nearly half the alliance (Air France, Alitalia, KLM, Korean, Kenya Airways, Tarom and Aeroflot; Delta's service has been suspended since last year) and can provide a useful bridge between Europe, Africa and Asia (and the Middle East, once ME and SV join). So, I thought I’d post a quick run-down of current facilities.
All the current ST airlines use terminal 1 (terminal 2 is closed for refurbishment, and 3 is for EgyptAir and *A).
Airline Offices
AF/KL, AZ and KQ all have offices inside Hall 1, Terminal 1, near the main check-in area. (I haven’t seen SU, RO or KE offices anywhere).
Check-in
It seems that most/all ST airlines use an annex to the main Hall 1, Terminal 1 check-in area. Access to this area is from outside the building, between the entrance to the main Departures area, and the exit from Arrivals. It seems the area only opens when check-in is open for a specific flight. Once checked in, you walk back, inside the building, towards the main check-in area, in order to go through passport control.
Lounge
The same lounge (originally the Air France lounge) is used by AF, KL, KQ, AZ and KE (and presumably also SU and RO) for J-class and ST E+ pax.
It was refurbished fairly recently, which seems to have increased the seating capacity. (There’s a mixture of armchairs, upright chairs at tables of 4, and upright chairs at tables of 2; so there are some comfortable seats available when it’s not full, but even when it’s heavily used, you should at least be able to find a seat). It has a reasonable selection of drinks and light snacks, but there’s no hot food. It has free wifi.
To reach the lounge, take the elevator at the right of gate 4 (almost immediately ahead when coming through from passport control) to level 2. The lounge is then somewhat hidden away behind the “Information Desk”: coming out of the elevator, follow the sign for the AF lounge, that takes you along a narrow corridor past the men’s toilet, into the lobby area in front of the lounge. You may need an invitation card from check-in to access the lounge.
Departure
It seems that ST flights generally depart from gates 3 or 4, which are easy to access coming from either Immigration or the lounge. There’s a small security check upon entering the gate area. I think all the gates in Terminal 1 are bus gates, and airport officials may check your passport for an exit (or transit) stamp, as you board the bus.
Transit
Take the first left upon entering the terminal (while other passengers go straight ahead towards Immigration), and go through the security checkpoint. You then need to give your passport, e-ticket printout and probably baggage tags (if applicable) to the airport official at the desk. (It’s probably wise to have a photocopy of your passport and a second copy of your e-ticket to keep with you, and to note down your baggage tag numbers). The official will note down your passport details, and then despatch another official with your paperwork to check you in for the next flight, and ensure your bags have been located. (Assuming your bags have been checked through to your final destination – I’m not sure what happens if your bags are only checked to Cairo). After a while, someone will come back with your passport and boarding cards, further details will be noted down, and then you’re free to enter the main departures area.
In theory, you’re supposed to wait in the holding area, until the staff member comes back with your passport and boarding cards. However, the holding area isn’t that great, and although the process can be quite quick, it can also be very slow (especially if your onward flight isn’t yet open for check-in). If you have lounge access, you can try to leave the holding area and wait in the lounge – but this can be a bit tricky, as you won’t have a lounge access card, and the officials won’t necessarily know where to find you when they eventually come back with your passport and boarding card. (If you ask how long you will need to wait, you’ll most likely be told “just 5 minutes” – which may or may not be accurate).
Arrivals
I don’t think there are any special ST facilities for arrivals (other than, perhaps, priority-tagged baggage). If you need a visa, you need to buy the sticker at one of the bank windows (straight ahead when you enter the terminal), before turning left into the passport control area.
All the current ST airlines use terminal 1 (terminal 2 is closed for refurbishment, and 3 is for EgyptAir and *A).
Airline Offices
AF/KL, AZ and KQ all have offices inside Hall 1, Terminal 1, near the main check-in area. (I haven’t seen SU, RO or KE offices anywhere).
Check-in
It seems that most/all ST airlines use an annex to the main Hall 1, Terminal 1 check-in area. Access to this area is from outside the building, between the entrance to the main Departures area, and the exit from Arrivals. It seems the area only opens when check-in is open for a specific flight. Once checked in, you walk back, inside the building, towards the main check-in area, in order to go through passport control.
Lounge
The same lounge (originally the Air France lounge) is used by AF, KL, KQ, AZ and KE (and presumably also SU and RO) for J-class and ST E+ pax.
It was refurbished fairly recently, which seems to have increased the seating capacity. (There’s a mixture of armchairs, upright chairs at tables of 4, and upright chairs at tables of 2; so there are some comfortable seats available when it’s not full, but even when it’s heavily used, you should at least be able to find a seat). It has a reasonable selection of drinks and light snacks, but there’s no hot food. It has free wifi.
To reach the lounge, take the elevator at the right of gate 4 (almost immediately ahead when coming through from passport control) to level 2. The lounge is then somewhat hidden away behind the “Information Desk”: coming out of the elevator, follow the sign for the AF lounge, that takes you along a narrow corridor past the men’s toilet, into the lobby area in front of the lounge. You may need an invitation card from check-in to access the lounge.
Departure
It seems that ST flights generally depart from gates 3 or 4, which are easy to access coming from either Immigration or the lounge. There’s a small security check upon entering the gate area. I think all the gates in Terminal 1 are bus gates, and airport officials may check your passport for an exit (or transit) stamp, as you board the bus.
Transit
Take the first left upon entering the terminal (while other passengers go straight ahead towards Immigration), and go through the security checkpoint. You then need to give your passport, e-ticket printout and probably baggage tags (if applicable) to the airport official at the desk. (It’s probably wise to have a photocopy of your passport and a second copy of your e-ticket to keep with you, and to note down your baggage tag numbers). The official will note down your passport details, and then despatch another official with your paperwork to check you in for the next flight, and ensure your bags have been located. (Assuming your bags have been checked through to your final destination – I’m not sure what happens if your bags are only checked to Cairo). After a while, someone will come back with your passport and boarding cards, further details will be noted down, and then you’re free to enter the main departures area.
In theory, you’re supposed to wait in the holding area, until the staff member comes back with your passport and boarding cards. However, the holding area isn’t that great, and although the process can be quite quick, it can also be very slow (especially if your onward flight isn’t yet open for check-in). If you have lounge access, you can try to leave the holding area and wait in the lounge – but this can be a bit tricky, as you won’t have a lounge access card, and the officials won’t necessarily know where to find you when they eventually come back with your passport and boarding card. (If you ask how long you will need to wait, you’ll most likely be told “just 5 minutes” – which may or may not be accurate).
Arrivals
I don’t think there are any special ST facilities for arrivals (other than, perhaps, priority-tagged baggage). If you need a visa, you need to buy the sticker at one of the bank windows (straight ahead when you enter the terminal), before turning left into the passport control area.