Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Egyptair internal flights Business vs Economy

I will be taking some internal flights on Egypt air, eg. Cairo - Luxor, Luxor - Aswan, and have noticed there is a very small price differential between Economy and Business class. For example, on the flight between Cairo and Luxor, economy is USD 130.35 one way while business is USD 150.35.

Is there any real advantage to flying business class on these flights. I doubt whether I would actually eat anything that was served on Egyptair. My main concern is that everyone refers to Cairo airport as a "madhouse". Does Business class alleviate any of the stress of flying through Egyptian airports, or will it be stressful regardless of your class of travel?

Thanks, QF Lad.

QF lad, i flew MS from Sharm-El-Sheikh to Cairo and back in Y towards the end of last year. From what I could see of the J cabin, there really was very little difference, seating wise probably similar to the dom/biz setup on QF's 734's.

Cant comment on food, but the Y 'snack' consisted of an unidentifiable pastry/roll and a carton of joice both ways.

Cairo airport is indeed a pit. I didn't notice any lounges in SSH or CAI although Biz definitely has seperate check-ins, that being said though check-in both ways was empty and took all of 30 seconds - The internal flights in CAI have their own seperate terminal to the Intl flights.

If you feel the $20 offers value for money for a slightly bigger seat on a circa 40min flight then go for it, but $20 goes a long way in Egypt....

Edited to note: My experience was far from stressful, and i doubt it will be as bad as you think. Just watch out for the luggage porters who will demand a tip after offering to help out and the dodgy taxi drivers who have a cheap taxi parked on the other side of the airport. If you want a taxi I suggest you ask one of the security guards - Look for the guys in White with the occasional AK47 slung round their necks!

We just flew EgyptAir last week between Cairo and Larnaca Cyprus. This was an international flight, so we got to enjoy the new international terminal in CAI, which is actually quite nice. I've been through Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore India (4 of the worst airports I've ever seen in the world)- Cairo was a dream next to them. In fact, the new terminal is nicer than JFK or MIA. That said I'm not sure about the domestic terminal. But overall the immigration, baggage claim and then check in for our outbound flight were not bad. Either we got lucky or the stories about Cairo airport are overblown. We did have interesting experiences with people cutting in front of us in line and sitting in our seats (until we had the FA ask them to relocate).
As far as Y vs. F, our flights had a big differential in price, so we opted for Y. We wound up getting exit rows in both directions, which were great. The planes are old, very old 737's and the food is terrible. In F you get a bit more pitch and 2x2 seating. You will probably also have the F cabin to yourself, our flights were very lightly travelled and I think F was empty. Although $20 goes a long way in Egypt, I'd probably would have opted for F if that was the price difference on our flights.

sdorling and stephem, thank you for your responses. It would seem that both of your experiences in Cairo airport were not too bad. Sdorling has also pointed out that the flights are short, and $20 goes a long way in Egypt, so I will probably stick to Y as well. Also, thank you for your tips in relation to the taxi drivers and the luggage porters.

Cheers, QF Lad.

I've been flying Y and J on MS domestic for the past ten months between Cairo and Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Hurghada. I started off in J simply because the fare difference is so minimal, but am now indifferent to which class I'm in. There is no Business class check-in counter for domestic flights. But as mentioned previously, there is almost always no line, unless you walk in to the terminal at the same time as a tour group. There is no priority boarding for J, since all boarding is by bus.

The only difference is the size of seat. If you want a larger seat, pay the $20, otherwise go Y.

BoSoxinBKK, Thanks for your input. Sounds like you have done the journey many times. I'll take your advice and stick to Y as well. Cheers, QF Lad.

Thanks for this information. My wife and I will also be flying CAI-LXR-ASW-CAI in a couple of weeks and I also noticed the small differential and am inclined to go for the business class.

On a related point, I was not successful in trying to buy electronic tickets on the web (eg. Expedia). Does EgyptAir have electronic tickets? When I phoned their Toronto office today they made a booking for me but, because I am leaving Canada tomorrow, indicated that I would have to stop in at their office in Istanbul or London on my way to Cairo. Is that how it works?

And a third point, we will be transferring from a domestic flight to an international flight with a 4 hour connection time- which would seem adequate but I have not been able to find information about the transit procedure from domestic to international. Can anyone help me on this? Thanks.

Thanks for this information. My wife and I will also be flying CAI-LXR-ASW-CAI in a couple of weeks and I also noticed the small differential and am inclined to go for the business class.

On a related point, I was not successful in trying to buy electronic tickets on the web (eg. Expedia). Does EgyptAir have electronic tickets? When I phoned their Toronto office today they made a booking for me but, because I am leaving Canada tomorrow, indicated that I would have to stop in at their office in Istanbul or London on my way to Cairo. Is that how it works?

And a third point, we will be transferring from a domestic flight to an international flight with a 4 hour connection time- which would seem adequate but I have not been able to find information about the transit procedure from domestic to international. Can anyone help me on this? Thanks.

Their useless web site seems to indicate that by the end of 2006 they plan to offer e-tickets, so you're probably out of luck for now.

I'm planning to go on a side trip from CAI-SSH and just found out (after booking my 4:00 PM departure from CAI-FRA) that Egyptair offer flights from SSH arriving in CAI at 9:35, 10:05 or 3:30. Very bizarre scheduling! Unless someone has a clever alternative, it looks like I'm stuck at CAI for 6 hours waiting for the LH connection (I will have already been in Cairo for most of my trip, so don't really need another trip in to town).

Folks:

I will be traveling DXB-CAI-SFO-CAI-DXB route quite often, and have been quoted attractive deals on MS (transatlantic) and AA within USA. Can any one of you answer the following question:

- How is translatlantic flight CAI-JFK experience with MS. Are C class seats comparable to other airlines (flat bed), any idea about food, FA's etc.
- How good is airport lounge (Internet access is quite important to me
- How is baggage handling, in time flights etc.

Any pointers will be appreciated. Thanks.

Recently travelled BAH-CAI-BAH in F

CAI international is a shambles!!...Dirty, old and chaotic and noisey.
The lounges are a joke as is the food on offer. Customs and immigration is a horror event and if you stay at a 5* hotel get a meet and assist service!! There were open sewage smells from a sink near the entry way to the lounges...could not wait to get back on board the plane. Not sure what domestic is like but MS and CAI are definately not on my list of 'to do' in near or distant future.

CJ

Folks:

I will be traveling DXB-CAI-SFO-CAI-DXB route quite often, and have been quoted attractive deals on MS (transatlantic) and AA within USA. Can any one of you answer the following question:

- How is translatlantic flight CAI-JFK experience with MS. Are C class seats comparable to other airlines (flat bed), any idea about food, FA's etc.
- How good is airport lounge (Internet access is quite important to me
- How is baggage handling, in time flights etc.

Any pointers will be appreciated. Thanks.

Jiffy - I write as someone who is based in CAI appprox 10 months of the year, having worked as an expat in Egypt for more than 10 years.

If you have the choice of flying through CAI or not, and also have the choice of flying MS or not, I'd be inclined to say don't on both counts.

While I find Cedar Jet's comments re: CAI airport as being somewhat OT - yes, the lounges are a joke by western standards, no, customs and immigration is not a horror event (given their economic reliance on tourists, officials are polite and courteous in 99% of cases), in fact I have had worse experiences at the likes of IAD - it is undeniable that the airport does not measure up to other facilities in the region; e.g. BAH, DXB.

I would have thought you are far better off using an airline that gives you miles and status in one of the three main alliances; e.g. BA (DXB-LHR / LHR-SFO), or a combination of EK (DXB-JFK) with an alliance airline.

Of course, if you have to stopover in CAI for a specific purpose the above is of no use. However in that case I still wouldn't fly MS, but again go with a 'better quality' airline via an intermediate European airport.

As a completely alternative idea - why not fly the other way around the world (over the Pacific) with the likes of SQ, or even buy RTW tickets? They can be much better value than point to point tickets.

Of course, if you have to stopover in CAI for a specific purpose the above is of no use. However in that case I still wouldn't fly MS, but again go with a 'better quality' airline via an intermediate European airport.

Are there any viable alternatives from CAI - SSH?

Are there any viable alternatives from CAI - SSH?

The Lev - I'm sorry, the short answer is no. I haven't driven the route for over 20 years, but it's got to be at least a 6-8 hour drive; not to mention the massively increased chance of having an accident while travelling by car on Egypt's roads.

Given the length of your layover in CAI you could do worse than jump in a taxi and go to the Sheraton Heliopolis (about 7-8 minutes from the airport), or even the Movenpick (much closer to the airport) and either take a day room or at least enjoy a leisurely lunch away from the hustle and bustle of the terminals.

Upon your arrival from SSH you'll have to transfer between terminals anyway; right now LH is using the (relatively old - i.e. 20 years) T2. A new T3 is under construction and there is a new T1 which is actually half-decent. For the afternoon LH flight ex-CAI, T2 is generally quiet at that time, so crowds shouldn't be too much of an issue.

For domestic flights MS is perfectly accceptable; my comments were intended more towards international flights where - if you have a choice - an alternative might be more to one's liking.

There is no Business class check-in counter for domestic flights.
Blimey! :eek: Phil the Flyer, can you confirm? And if true, how early should one arrive before a departure from CAI to LXR and from ASW to CAI.

Blimey! :eek: Phil the Flyer, can you confirm? And if true, how early should one arrive before a departure from CAI to LXR and from ASW to CAI.

AJ - I can confirm this to be a correct statement.

Checking-in for domestic flights in Egypt can be a bit like playing the lottery.

The following can conspire to confuse foreigners (or 'khawagas' as they say in Arabic) travelling within Egypt:

1. MS check-in desks are generally flight-specific; i.e. you can't just wander up to any desk and check-in for any flight.

2. Given 1. above you think - OK, all I've go to do is look out for the check-in desks that display my flight no. and/or destination. Not so simple - on many occasions in the recent past (I haven't flown domestically for a year now, but in many recent years have flown domestically 20 times per annum) these are either displayed, a) only in Arabic, b) incorrect flight no. (they sometimes change them at the last moment), c) given that flights between CAI and ASW either fly non-stop, CAI-ASW, or with a stop, CAI-LXR-ASW, they might show an ASW flight with a LXR sign at check-in in CAI or a CAI flight with a LXR sign at check-in in ASW.

In addition:

a) boarding domestic flights at CAI and ASW is via buses from the terminal to the aircraft. Hold on tight, the bus drivers all appear to be retired Formula One/NASCAR drivers.

b) In CAI the flight boarding, again until recently, used to be announced in Arabic only, although the boarding gate does at least show the flight no. in English. Expect a rugby-style scrum to board the buses. I have experienced a separate bus for Business Class, but this in inconsistent in its provision. In ASW, the boarding announcement is simply some guy shouting "Cairo, flight 130" - or words, to that effect.

c) Early morning (i.e. 4:00AM - 9:00AM) is generally the busiest time at CAI and ASW. In particular, at ASW - which has a surprisingly decent terminal - having been opened only 7 years ago - do not get caught up amongst the throngs of generally Italian tourists boarding the 25 minute shuttle flight between ASW and ABS (Abu Simbel).

d) Getting the check-in time right is a tricky thing. Arrive at the airport too early and you will either have to wait around a long time, not even knowing which check-in desk to queue at until someone hangs up the aforementioned signs, or you might get lucky and actually be offered seats on an earlier flight. Arrive at the airport with only minutes to spare and you will find that either you've got boarding passes for the very back of the plane or, even worse, your seats have been allocated to standby passengers. Generally better to err on the side of caution (arrive 90-120 minutes before the flight).

e) In-flight catering - in Economy - is coffee/tea/water plus biscuits/cake. Nothing to get excited about.

f) While baggage retrieval from the conveyor belt in ASW is generally a civilsed afffair, it can be chaotic in CAI - depending upon how many domestic flights have landed around the same time as yours.

When flying CAI-ASW try and get seats on the left hand side of the plane. The view of town of Aswan and Lake Nasser when you are about to land at ASW is much better from the left hand side - 99% of the time the plane, having flown south, does a left hand 180 degree turn to land in a northerly direction. Views of the River Nile between LXR and ASW are also generally better on the left hand side when flying south.

AJ - given the timing of your planned visit (January) heat shouln't be an issue in ASW, and definitely not in CAI. Travel in July though and you'll understand why so many flights are scheduled for the early morning.

The best advice I can give anyyone travelling within Egypt though is this - the average annual per capita income is approx US$1,000. A lot of the economy works on 'baksheesh' - small tips for services rendered. Tip the bus driver, the guy carrying your bags, etc (but not immigration or customs officials - this will constitute a bribe!) with, say LE5-10 (GBP0.50-1.00 / US$1.00-2.00) and you will be amazed how far an Egyptian will go out of their way to assist you.

Happy travelling!

AJ - I can confirm this to be a correct statement.

Checking-in for domestic flights in Egypt can be a bit like playing the lottery.


f) While baggage retrieval from the conveyor belt in ASW is generally a civilsed afffair, it can be chaotic in CAI - depending upon how many domestic flights have landed around the same time as yours.



Happy travelling!

Phil,

Thanks very much for all these helpful postings. Your experience is invaluable. I have a couple of follow-up questions.

My wife and I just picked up our tickets in London for the CAI-LXR-ASW-CAI flights to be flown in the next couple of weeks.

When we get back to CAI in mid-October we are scheduled to fly out the same day on Emirates to DXB with a 3 hour connection time in CAI. We will have checked luggage-- do you think we will have adequate time to collect the luggage and get over to the international terminal (is it nearby?) to check in with EK? Is it likely to be a problem. Your point about baksheesh is useful but how do you know who can really helpful versus who might just want to disappear with your luggage? Are there official porters who can be identified by uniform, etc.?

When we get back to CAI in mid-October we are scheduled to fly out the same day on Emirates to DXB with a 3 hour connection time in CAI. We will have checked luggage-- do you think we will have adequate time to collect the luggage and get over to the international terminal (is it nearby?) to check in with EK? Is it likely to be a problem. Your point about baksheesh is useful but how do you know who can really helpful versus who might just want to disappear with your luggage? Are there official porters who can be identified by uniform, etc.?

ReelChief - Glad to offer any advice, based on personal experience, I can.

To answer your questions:

1. For a mid-October MS ASW-CAI to EK CAI-DXB transfer, I don't know your MS arr CAI time but, your EK dep CAI time should be either 1815hrs (1234567) or 1155hrs (257).

Although CAI terminals are not physically linked in any way, a taxi transfer between terminals is only a 10 minute exercise, and shouldn't present any problems - apart from arguing the toss with the taxi driver over the fare. It's not worth your blood pressure to get too worked up about the fact that you're probably being ripped-off for an extra US$5.

There is more than one international terminal. Although I haven't used EK ex-CAI in about a year now, I believe they are still using Terminal 2 (Two). It's important to establish and remember that before your arrival in CAI otherwise you run the risk of getting dumped outside the wrong terminal.

Three hours between flights, assuming the MS flight isn't severely delayed, should be more than adequate. The one thing you probably want to factor into the equation is this - today, Sunday 1 October is day 8 of the month of Ramadan; 'mid-October' will be approximately day 24 (of a 29 or 30 day month), by which time the patience of most Egyptians will be pretty close to breaking point, so just go easy on them. Given that we've had some hot weather for the time of year (Friday it was 40C in CAI), fasting for a month during the daytime can't be a lot of fun.

2. I believe that there are porters in uniform although, to tell you the truth, I never pay much attention as I always like to look after my own luggage. Depending upon your age, state of tiredness, amount of luggage, you may be grateful for the services of a porter.

If you have any other specific queries I'll be glad to try and answer them.

The attached link isn't that informative, but may be of assistance:

http://www.cairo-airport.com/

Thanks a heap Phil! ^ a) boarding domestic flights at CAI and ASW is via buses from the terminal to the aircraft. Hold on tight, the bus drivers all appear to be retired Formula One/NASCAR drivers.

b) In CAI the flight boarding, again until recently, used to be announced in Arabic only, although the boarding gate does at least show the flight no. in English. Expect a rugby-style scrum to board the buses. I have experienced a separate bus for Business Class, but this in inconsistent in its provision. In ASW, the boarding announcement is simply some guy shouting "Cairo, flight 130" - or words, to that effect.

c) Early morning (i.e. 4:00AM - 9:00AM) is generally the busiest time at CAI and ASW. In particular, at ASW - which has a surprisingly decent terminal - having been opened only 7 years ago - do not get caught up amongst the throngs of generally Italian tourists boarding the 25 minute shuttle flight between ASW and ABS (Abu Simbel).

d) Getting the check-in time right is a tricky thing. Arrive at the airport too early and you will either have to wait around a long time, not even knowing which check-in desk to queue at until someone hangs up the aforementioned signs, or you might get lucky and actually be offered seats on an earlier flight. Arrive at the airport with only minutes to spare and you will find that either you've got boarding passes for the very back of the plane or, even worse, your seats have been allocated to standby passengers. Generally better to err on the side of caution (arrive 90-120 minutes before the flight).Yikes, I'm quite apprehensive about a 0500 departure from CAI now! :eek: Particularly with one pax being quite old and with somewhat restricted mobility. Is there any service, similar to the international meet-and-greet, which can get check-in etc sorted for the domestic flights?


The best advice I can give anyyone travelling within Egypt though is this - the average annual per capita income is approx US$1,000. A lot of the economy works on 'baksheesh' - small tips for services rendered. Tip the bus driver, the guy carrying your bags, etc (but not immigration or customs officials - this will constitute a bribe!) with, say LE5-10 (GBP0.50-1.00 / US$1.00-2.00) and you will be amazed how far an Egyptian will go out of their way to assist you.Duly noted!

AJ - Based on my experience, the answer has to be 'no'. I have never seen any such service for passengers checking-in at CAI for domestic or, for that matter, international flights.

The only form of 'personal service' I ever see at CAI is that representatives of local hotels are permitted to 'meet and greet' arriving passengers airside of Immigration.

I wouldn't be unduly concerned about elderly members of your party. I see quite a lot of 'older' foreign tourists travelling between CAI, LXR and ASW, particularly in the winter months when Egypt offers a welcome respite from the colder European weather.

As long as you allow adequate time for check-in purposes you'll be fine.

AJ - Based on my experience, the answer has to be 'no'. I have never seen any such service for passengers checking-in at CAI for domestic or, for that matter, international flights.

The only form of 'personal service' I ever see at CAI is that representatives of local hotels are permitted to 'meet and greet' arriving passengers airside of Immigration.

I wouldn't be unduly concerned about elderly members of your party. I see quite a lot of 'older' foreign tourists travelling between CAI, LXR and ASW, particularly in the winter months when Egypt offers a welcome respite from the colder European weather.

As long as you allow adequate time for check-in purposes you'll be fine.
Thanks Phil! ^

I'll try and get them to the airport at 0300 for the 0500 flight! Might just stay at the Sheraton Helipolis thoroughout the trip, given these flight times!

Thanks Phil! ^

I'll try and get them to the airport at 0300 for the 0500 flight! Might just stay at the Sheraton Helipolis thoroughout the trip, given these flight times!

AJ - You could do a lot worse than the Sheraton Heliopolis. They used to - and I believe they still do - have a complimentary shuttle bus service to the airport every hour on the hour. It's 10 minutes maximum. Nightime is their busiest time. 0300hrs is possibly a tad early to be at the airport. If it was me I'd get a taxi, leaving the Sheraton at approx 0330hrs.

If you're on the 0500hrs flight ex-CAI you'll be in LXR by 0600hrs. Do you transfer directly to a cruise boat from the airport, or do you have to hang around somewhere for a few hours?

If you hire a car with driver for the day while you're in CAI you won't lose too much by not staying more centrally at, say, one of the Four Seasons properties. With elderly members in your party you don't want to be doing too much walking while trying to avoid the madness that is Cairo traffic anyway.


AJ - I've reflected upon my earlier 'advice', and would like to add the following:

I live in an apartment building on the Corniche on the east side of the River Nile in Cairo. My apartment building is no more than 1-2 miles from the likes of the Four Seasons Garden City, Intercontinental, Marriott, etc.

Whenever I have a BA CAI-LHR flight to catch I find that, having done an OLCI and therefore only having to be at the airport 60 minutes prior to departure, if I leave my apartment at 6:30AM I can be at the airport at 6:55AM, leaving me a further 25 minutes to the 60 minutes before departure deadline.

The point I am tryng to make is that for both your BA LHR-CAI (arr approx midnight) and CAI-LHR (dep approx 0830hrs) flights, as well as your early morning MS ex-CAI domestic flight, road traffic is so light at those times of day that you can confidently get from downtown to the airport in less than 30 minutes. Therefore, you might want to reconsider whether staying at the Sheraton Heliopolis offers much in the way of benefits.

Phil - Thanks! We will effectively have only 1 full day in Cairo. We arrive on a Monday just before midnight and leave for LXR wednesday morning at 0500. So even though it is "2 hotel nights", it is still effectively just one full day. So not too sure if it would be worth paying $500 per night for 2 nights at the Four Seasons, given that the effective stay would be just one day. Besides the Sheraton Heliopolis, would you recommend any other hotel out of the Intercontinental, Le Meridien or Sheraton Cairo. (Location and comfort being the primary issue.)

Re. the transfer upon arriving at LXR: Has already been arranged by the tour company for a pick-up and drop-off to the cruise boat. AFAIK, they will me meeting the flight.

Phil - Thanks! We will effectively have only 1 full day in Cairo. We arrive on a Monday just before midnight and leave for LXR wednesday morning at 0500. So even though it is "2 hotel nights", it is still effectively just one full day. So not too sure if it would be worth paying $500 per night for 2 nights at the Four Seasons, given that the effective stay would be just one day. Besides the Sheraton Heliopolis, would you recommend any other hotel out of the Intercontinental, Le Meridien or Sheraton Cairo. (Location and comfort being the primary issue.)

Re. the transfer upon arriving at LXR: Has already been arranged by the tour company for a pick-up and drop-off to the cruise boat. AFAIK, they will me meeting the flight.

AJ - Living in Cairo full-time these days - with an apartment 12 months of the year - I don't have any need to stay in Cairo hotels anymore; accordingly my visits to Cairo hotels are limited to patronising their restaurants.

My previous extensive experience of the Sheraton Heliopolis was due to working in Upper Egypt for a number of years and flying to the UK six times/year for R&R. It is an excellent hotel for those transitting through CAI.

Given that, effectively, you've got about 26 hours from check-in to check-out at whatever property you stay at I certainly think a Four Seasons property for two nights is a bit of an overkill. Of the others overlooking the River Nile, I hear good reports of both the Intercontinental and the Hyatt. The Cairo Sheraton is quite cheap but a bit shabby - at least that's my perception. There's also the Nile Hilton and Ramses Hilton.

To wake up at least one morning, throw open your curtains and see the River Nile glistening in the sunlight before you, and all the noises and smells that are Cairo is a vote in favour of staying downtown. On the other hand - as discussed before - there's not a lot wrong with the Sheraton Heliopolis.

It may come down to what rates you can get.

Phil - Thanks! ^ Will look into rates asap. (Currently in JNB, enroute to CPT!)

Actually had a weird dream last night. Dreamt I had arrived at Cairo with my parents and no hotel booking whatsoever. Was flummoxed when the cabbie asked, where do you want to go! Woke up in a cold sweat!! :eek: :eek:

I tried to book a flight on Egyptair through their Toronto office and they told me they do not accept credit cards and I'd have to mail in a certified cheque or money order. :eek: They weren't even keen on cash - eventually said OK as long as I came in before noon so they could deposit the money at the bank.

I figure it will be easier just to pick up my ticket at CAI. Does Egyptair accept credit cards at the aiprort?

If not, reminds me of flying from Khartoum where I had to scrape up my last few US $ cash to pay for a ticklet on Sudan Airways to RUH - no credit cards accepted there.

Phil,

My wife and I have now taken our internal Egypt flights (CAI-LXR, LXR-ASW, ASW-Cai) and would like to reiterate my thanks for your earlier advice and add the following comments.

Your comments prepared us for the worst-- which was good-- and so it was much better than we expected. The flights were also announced in English and the flight numbers and destinations were also not just in Arabic. The airport transfer at Cairo (from domestic to international) was a bit hectic but, taking your advice, we did not get overly concerned about being asked for more money, than agreed on, to pay the entrance transit fee, etc. What we thought might be a tight connection wasn't and so it was a bit of a hassle having to stand around in the international terminal until the check-in agents (for Emirates) arrived.

Re: the OP, we did buy business class seats and thought the difference (under $100 for the 3 flights) was well worth it. There was a separate check-in for businesss class, no lounge but they gave us a voucher for a free soft drink(!), the seats were 2-2 instead of 3-3 and the business cabins were not full even though the rest of the plane seemed to be packed in, the snacks were comparable to what North American carriers would give on a similar flight (in fact better) and in all three flights the "premium" tag on our bag meant that it came out of the carousel first. Maybe we had an untypical experience but our experience we would rate Egypt Air over AA for comparable flights.

I tried to book a flight on Egyptair through their Toronto office and they told me they do not accept credit cards and I'd have to mail in a certified cheque or money order. :eek: They weren't even keen on cash - eventually said OK as long as I came in before noon so they could deposit the money at the bank.

I figure it will be easier just to pick up my ticket at CAI. Does Egyptair accept credit cards at the aiprort?

If not, reminds me of flying from Khartoum where I had to scrape up my last few US $ cash to pay for a ticklet on Sudan Airways to RUH - no credit cards accepted there.

I booked our CAI-LXR, LXR-ASW, and ASW-CAI flights with Egypt Air's Toronto office the day before going abroad and so there was no time for us to pay them and for them to get the tickets to us in Vancouver. Given the uncertainties of the Cairo airport we opted to go into the Egypt Air office in London just before flying to Egypt. Our reservation was in their system OK (and in fact a waitlist had cleared) and we had no problem paying by credit card. Given the mess that CAI can be, I'd suggest strongly that you take the time to go into the Toronto office if necessary. As noted in a separate posting, our experience with Egypt Air was good.

I'm contemplating a ASW/ABS-CAI-LCA flight on MS. The layover in CAI is 5 hours and the difference in fare between EC and BC at this point is USD 60. Is there a lounge in CAI that would make this worth it (in addition to the more spacious seats).

Also, is RJ worth a small premium over MS (mainly for AMM-CAI)?