EgyptAir has today ”officially” started flying to Israel, and that also marks the end of one of the world’s most mysterious airlines.
Continue reading: EgyptAir Launches Israel Flights, Replaces Mysterious Air Sinai
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
In May 1981 as part of a TWA vacation package, I flew Cairo-Tel Aviv on an unmarked DC-8 which I think was called "Air Nefertiti" according to the boarding pass. It was a German charter company with a British crew. The daily RT flight was not posted on any arrival or departure board.
The reason I'm sure of the trip's date is that I was in Israel when Pope John Paul II was shot in Rome.
@Glen Sea
The pope flew TWA when he toured the US. They installed a bed for him on the upper deck of a 747.
As I understand it, ordinary Egyptian citizens need to seek government approval to visit Israel. And most won't risk it because they don't want to get on the government's "radar." Has this requirement now changed? Otherwise, these flights are going to be pretty empty unless a lot of Israelis want to come to Cairo.
When will there be a Taiwan or Republic of China Olympic Team rather than a Chinese Taipei. That's another barrier to break besides the EgyptAir instead of Air Sinai barrier.
Pretty sure it was A320s not A220s seeing as how the latter didn't start flying until 2013.
As you say, MS was beginning to look pretty silly when the Gulf airlines started flying into TLV under their proper designations.
They should get lots of connecting traffic. I think that a lot of Americans would like to stop and see the pyramids on their way to see the Holy Land.
I had to book Air Sinai for my travel agency clients several times, it was such an odd procedure. I could book the flights but could not ticket them. There was an agency in Tel Aviv responsible for issuing the tickets. It was similar to the old days when you made a reservation directly with an airline and went to their city ticket office to pay for and get the tickets.
I actually flew the Air Sinai flight once, o/w from CAI to TLV in 2018. Yes, I had to buy flights (in cash!) from a strange retro Egypt Air office in a Tel Aviv office building. Others had told me that the Cairo airport hides this flight and it isn’t easy to check in or find the gate but I found it listed normally. I believe there was only minimal extra security to board. The load was extremely light - less than 20. There were many FAs and I believe even a crew deadheading. While the plane was unmarked, the interior and uniforms were normal Egypt Air. Also, the flight was extremely short, maybe 45 mins, and they served a full meal! Deplaning at TLV was also completely normal. Glad I got to try this once. Happy to answer more questions if I remember more details.