Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - egyptair

i'm planning a trip to egypt and thinking about flying between cairo and luxor or aswan. egyptair seems to be the only option. has anyone flown this airline? how reliable and safe is it?

i'm planning a trip to egypt and thinking about flying between cairo and luxor or aswan. egyptair seems to be the only option. has anyone flown this airline? how reliable and safe is it?

hkguy, I've flown Egyptair on domestic and international segments, and I've found it to be a solid airline. You won't find any alcohol on the flights and the catering is below average, but I've usually left and arrived within 30 minutes or so of the scheduled time. Flights are non-smoking.

If you're flying domestically, be prepared for chaos at the ticket counter and the gate, but I think you'll find the flight itself fairly pleasant.

I've never had any safety concerns. In fact, I'm flying four Egyptair segments this November.

If you decide not to fly, you might want to look at the overnight train from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan. http://www.sleepingtrains.com has information about the tourist train. Other non-tourist trains are also available. I've never taken the train myself.

hkguy, I've flown Egyptair on domestic and international segments, and I've found it to be a solid airline. You won't find any alcohol on the flights and the catering is below average, but I've usually left and arrived within 30 minutes or so of the scheduled time. Flights are non-smoking.

If you're flying domestically, be prepared for chaos at the ticket counter and the gate, but I think you'll find the flight itself fairly pleasant.

I've never had any safety concerns. In fact, I'm flying four Egyptair segments this November.

If you decide not to fly, you might want to look at the overnight train from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan. http://www.sleepingtrains.com has information about the tourist train. Other non-tourist trains are also available. I've never taken the train myself.

I have just returned from CAI, LUX and Aswan via Egyptair and I found them reliable, but as said, the airport experience can be overwellming in Cairo. They fly from the domestic terminal (the old terminal) so give yourself plenty of time. There's no reserved seating, but they do offer a business class product on these routes. Both flights were on AB220. The CAI-Aswan had a continental breakfast in C and some short subject movies. I am writing a trip report latter this week.

I have just returned from CAI, LUX and Aswan via Egyptair and I found them reliable, but as said, the airport experience can be overwellming in Cairo. They fly from the domestic terminal (the old terminal) so give yourself plenty of time. There's no reserved seating, but they do offer a business class product on these routes. Both flights were on AB220. The CAI-Aswan had a continental breakfast in C and some short subject movies. I am writing a trip report latter this week.

i heard about horror stories at cairo's domestic terminal. but really how bad was the experience? how about luxor and aswan airports? will it be a better idea to take the overnight tourist train instead? @:-)

We did not find the CAI domestic to be that big a deal. Very basic, and very loud. Food at the cafiteria is very inexpensive. The wait staff there was of very high integeraty. Some lady who did not know how to count egyptian pounds bought a 4£ sandwich, and told the staff to keep the change from a £100 note. They argued with her that she was making a mistake.

Abu Simbal airport was a zoo. Huge mass of people, could not get into the airport as they were doing super critical scanning, and at the front door.

I don't quite understand the safe question. I don't think egyptair has lost a domestic airplane in quite a few years.

Be expected to leave in the middle of the night. A lot of flights leave at 3-5am.

i found the CAI domestic airport no worse than taking the MTR through Causeway Bay on a saturday afternoon..

Abu Simbal airport was a zoo. Huge mass of people, could not get into the airport as they were doing super critical scanning, and at the front door.

I don't quite understand the safe question. I don't think egyptair has lost a domestic airplane in quite a few years.

The security screening has nothing to do with EgyptAir. All passengers regardless of airline flown are carefully screened here in Egypt due to the overall security situation in much of this region.

hkguy, I would go for the flying option. Taking the train is not a very comfortable experience, on top of that it takes ages to get there. Egyptian airports deserve better than their reputation. Loud, yes, crowded, oh yes, but with 2hrs at hand and a good portion of patience you'll be fine. And the Luxor Apt has recently been upgraded, check

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/750/eg1.htm

The security screening has nothing to do with EgyptAir. All passengers regardless of airline flown are carefully screened here in Egypt due to the overall security situation in much of this region.

hkguy, I would go for the flying option. Taking the train is not a very comfortable experience, on top of that it takes ages to get there. Egyptian airports deserve better than their reputation. Loud, yes, crowded, oh yes, but with 2hrs at hand and a good portion of patience you'll be fine. And the Luxor Apt has recently been upgraded, check

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/750/eg1.htm

thanks saly! :) think i'll be flying.