Egypt air to join *A.
 

Egypt Air is to join the Star Alliance in 2009.
I wonder who is next. Tarom? Air Namibia?

If you want to read a bit more about this, have a look at this thread from last October:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=746793

Can be found by searching for the keyword "Egypt". ;)

timbuktoo airlines

Does anyone doubt that they beat Egypt air all hands down?

F.R.

Why not - they allow UA membership of the alliance ;)

Egyptair has actually improved in reecent months. Reviews of Egyptair on Skytrax have become quite positive. Still a long way to go, though they fit in well with other recent equally-mediocre *A inductees.

Everytime the subject of Egypt Air joining A* comes up, people start whinning and wondering when AIr Namibia or Iraqi Airways will join. I then do my best to try and advocate MS's case. Well, here I go again:
The airline isn't that bad. Sure, they went through this stagnation in the 1990s but in recent years they're restructured after the old management left. Before, MS was disorganized, late and everybody complained. It seems that the government realized that actually improving the airline would one day allow them to make some money of it. So newer aircraft and a restructured organization was formed. Although its not Singapore Airlines First Class, they take safety to heart these days, and operate modern aircraft. Services are easier and its no longer a hassle. The airline's come a long way, and yes it has a long way to go. But you can't compare the largest airline in Africa (it currently ties with South African Airways) to Air Timbuktoo. Egypt Air isn't 2 B707s and a handful of Fokkers flying half empty on low frequencies. Its strategic to the Europe-Asian route plan, and will make a good addition to the A*. While Turkish Airlines and Air India aren't exactly the most prestigious airlines in the world and happened to join, leading people to think that A* was dipping in standards and allowing Third World carriers to join, MS is just as good as any other airline.

well said, i am tired of peoples' prejudices on this subject

Has anybody an idea when they will be a full *A member?

Yesterday in CAI I saw on some aircraft already the *A Logo.

Really? Joining *A is supposed to be at around October, but I suppose they want it to concide with the new T3 at CAI
Tell me LH-STR, where the aircraft with the *A logo in the new MS livery?

The official date is July, 11th 2008

wow, that's quite soon. I think Egypt Air is not that bad (any more). Moreover, the more Airlines join *A, the more opportunities to earn miles ;)

yeah, im pretty happy, since a red sea trip beckons and the extra luggage allowance will be very handy for the scuba gear!

Where did you find this information? I will most likely have a MS flight on the 12th of July so this is almost to good to be true.

That is unbelieveably quick. Are you sure it is *A membership from that date rather than partnerships with one or more individual *A FFPs?