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Old Jun 30, 2013, 8:34 pm
  #1  
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CAI Cairo flight connections

Hi,
I'm set for an amazing trip to Asia but I am supposed to return from Bangkok through Cairo. There are no other awards left at my rewards level, and as this is an extensive trip, I've used all my miles. Should I be worried about the current US State Dept travel warning about just connecting through the Cairo Airport?

Would love some help from some experience travelers!
Thanks,
Cheryl

Last edited by JDiver; Aug 2, 2015 at 8:05 am Reason: Restore original post title
cherylrwi is offline  
Old Jun 30, 2013, 8:51 pm
  #2  
 
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UP-2-U, but ---

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23109105
LilAbner is offline  
Old Jun 30, 2013, 8:54 pm
  #3  
 
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I wouldn't sweat it. Unless they shut down the airline or the airport, which doesn't look likely, a quick connection through the airport isn't going to be a problem. Despite what you read on the news, there are plenty of people going about their daily business in Egypt.
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Old Jun 30, 2013, 9:07 pm
  #4  
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Where is the State Department warning about connecting through the Cairo airport? I don't see that. I would be cautious about travel to Egypt, but not about just connecting through the airport. Unless there's an actual warning I haven't seen.
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Old Jun 30, 2013, 9:12 pm
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I don't think the warning mentions connecting at airport.

I would do it, although I suppose
it kinda depends on the connection,
i.e. is it one that could easily mis-connect?

Same airline?
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Old Jun 30, 2013, 9:18 pm
  #6  
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I wouldn't worry about safety, but I would worry about the possibility of getting stuck for an extended period at the airport, if there's some problem with your outgoing flight. At least make sure you have clothes with you!
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Old Jun 30, 2013, 9:47 pm
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Originally Posted by DaviddesJ
I wouldn't worry about safety, but I would worry about the possibility of getting stuck for an extended period at the airport, if there's some problem with your outgoing flight. At least make sure you have clothes with you!
I'd also pack a couple dozen extra pairs of disposable underwear if I were you!

Seriously, I traveled in and out of BKK for several years when the "Red Shirts" burnt down parts of Sukhumvit, and we were staying one block away @ The Marriott. I managed to avoid flying in and out of Suvarnabhumi when the "Yellow Shirts" occupied all terminals. These disturbances also caused us to hold up in our condo for a few days when the military did a Coup d'état. We heard explosions for 2 days below our hotel and a kid in the army from my wife's village was shot in the chest on a street in Bangkok, and was killed while we were there.

Thai's love Farangs, but many Egyptians hate American's, so just a word to the wise, don't always willy-nilly follow FTer's advise, especially when they are sitting safely at home telling you to Go-4-it!

On a tour of Egypt about 15 years ago we had 2 guys with Uzi's escorting us on our bus and on our flights for 10 days because as we were told, some dissidents want nothing more than to stop foreigners from going there to screw up Egypt's economy by causing tourists to stay away.

I agree with others, transiting the airport should be fine as I'm sure that there is more than enough army personnel around to make travel safe.

Have a fun and safe journey!^
LilAbner is offline  
Old Jun 30, 2013, 9:52 pm
  #8  
 
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I flew in and out of CAI in January, no problems. I know things are changing, but the airport is far from the action.
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Old Jun 30, 2013, 9:53 pm
  #9  
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Cool

Originally Posted by LilAbner

On a tour of Egypt about 15 years ago we had 2 guys with Uzi's escorting us on our bus and on our flights for 10 days because as we were told, some dissidents want nothing more than to stop foreigners from going there to screw up Egypt's economy by causing tourists to stay away.
Escorting tourist buses while showing off their automatic weapons is the favored form of autoeroticism among Egyptian petty law enforcement officers.
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Old Jul 1, 2013, 5:33 pm
  #10  
 
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Given today's news...
"FWIW"... which is not so much...
I am changing my opinion,

i.e. I would not start an itinerary connecting in Cairo,
at least not in the next week.
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Old Jul 1, 2013, 5:50 pm
  #11  
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I would guess that if you're ready to return from Bangkok and there is a further State Department advisory or evacuation then UA would probably be willing to reroute you on a less convenient route without charging you more. I guess that's not guaranteed, though.
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Old Jul 4, 2013, 10:09 am
  #12  
 
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There were a few strikes at the airport, but now with the SECOND coup/revolution, things should run smoothly.
Canuck2012 is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2013, 10:47 am
  #13  
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Originally Posted by MrHalliday
Given today's news...
"FWIW"... which is not so much...
I am changing my opinion,

i.e. I would not start an itinerary connecting in Cairo,
at least not in the next week.
With respect, this is nonsense certainly pertaining to transit/connections.
There is no impact on flights to and from CAI.
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Old Jul 4, 2013, 10:49 am
  #14  
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I would feel safer connecting through CAI now than a few days ago. Either is safe enough. But no one can tell you that there is no risk, and everyone's risk tolerance and psychology is different.
DaviddesJ is offline  
Old Aug 14, 2013, 8:42 pm
  #15  
 
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Flying Through Cairo Airport

I have a United award travel flight from BKK to JFK with a 5 hour layover in Cairo. United will not reroute me because the flight to Cairo is on Egypt Air and due to limited availability of this route in August, my only other option is to shell out another 30K miles to fly business class.

What do the experts advise I do? Is it safe to transit through the Cairo Airport?
josh12431243 is offline  


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