I can't seem to find an answer with search, so was hoping someone might be able to assist.

I need to get to SSH, one routing that pulls up is xxx-FRA-CAI-SSH, arriving on LH at 6:25PM into CAI and departing on MS at 7:45PM for SSH. Is this really a valid connection for intl to domestic? There are later flights, but I'd rather the tightest connection (if it is doable) since I will have had a long journey at that point.

You would really be taking your chances. Things can get very disorganized and I've spent 30-45 minutes trying to get through passport control at times - and that's with a diplomatic passport! You just never know how backed up things will be or how organized on any given day. I'd suggest you have a 2 hour layover and if you are a little bored waiting that is a good problem to have.

I see T3 International-Domestic MCT listed at 2 hours. So that's your "legal" limit.

The UA 1K agent who booked my recent award stuck hard to the 2 hour limit. I had an itin that had an 80 minute connection and she said "Even if the system allowed it, I'd strongly advise against it. You'll be glad you have two hours to make this connection." I'm doing VIE-CAI-LXR, going AS to MS. Hopefully the smaller plane and C seating will help me at least make it through immigration/customs quickly, but who knows whether or not we land right after a bunch of 777's...

Does anyone know if the bag-drop process is straightforward? Do I walk through customs and have an MS desk right there to drop the bags? Or do I have to schlep it over to the domestic terminal and recheck in via a regular MS counter?

I'm assuming having Star Gold status and a C ticket will smooth things a bit. (crosses fingers...)

I did transit BEY-CAI-JNB a year ago in C. This was before the new terminal opened. I remember going into the terminal and waiting for a very long time in a holding pen with no seats; eventually being called to get on a bus; waiting for a while on the tarmac; queuing outside to get into a building with transfer desks; eventually being let through to the transfer desk; being given an onward BP and "lounge" invitation and being sent on my way. I promise you, status and class of travel counted for nothing other than the lounge token, which was as large as the lounges were poor. Don't worry about time spent waiting - it's no worse than time spent after waiting. And please set aside expectations of glamour and that way you won't be disappointed.

Didn't know Alaska Airlines flew to Cairo, or Vienna,

Quite sure it will be the latter.


If two or nore of you are travelling, have the party - 1 line up in the passport line while the 1 goes to the bank to buy the visa stamp (it's a stamp, literally, that gets pasted in the passport).

IIRC, international origin bags tagged to Sharm will not be claimed at Cairo but rather at SSH. There is a seperate carousel at baggage claim where you can claim these bags and clear Customs at SSH itself. A similar system is in place for Hurghada I believe, but not sure about other domestic points.

Might be quicker to change terminals landside (with handluggage). There is an airport bus service to get you from one terminal to the others. Beware of pickpockets and thieves though. Last time I was on this bus/bus stop two people tried to steal my belongings ...

I have not used CAI is years, so would appreciate any advice. Flying MS SSH-CAI, then to DL CAI-JFK (around 1:15am). I believe that DL is in Terminal 1, with MS being in Terminal 3. Is there a shuttle bus that goes from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1, is it easy to find, and is it landside or airside (I assume the former)? How many hours would you recommend between the scheduled arrival time from SSH and the 1:15am DL departure to change terminals, check in at DL, etc.?

I also note that someone stated that the MCT international to domestic is 2 hours. I'm flying BEY-CAI-SSH (on MS), and MS is selling the flights with a 90 min connection.

Thanks in advance