I boarded through the forward door, where I was greeted by a flight attendant and a security officer (or Egyptian air marshal, whatever you prefer to call them) at the door. I apologize in advance for not getting a full cabin picture. Since I saw there were two security officers onboard I didn't want to…
Continue reading: Review: EgyptAir Business Class 737 Vienna To Cairo
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Such large business cabins on narrow-bodies really are strange. I flew South African domestically last week on an A320 also with 24J. There were only two rows of economy in front of the exit rows, one fewer than Egyptair’s 737! Reminds me of AA’s old 757s.
I've flown Egyptair 4 times and 3 times out of the 4 we took off with the safety video still paying (taxi out during the 4th sector was long enough that there was enough time for the video to finish).
I think that says all you need to know about the standards of Egyptian aviation.
I personally avoid CAI at all costs.
i cannot understand why there need skymarshels
i dont like to be looked at on boarding
besids egypt is a poor country and is not el al
i find it very iritable
"besids egypt is a poor country and is not el al"
What a strange and unnecessary comparison...
Contrary to LMcK I would certainly consider MS to Cairo. In particular if the alternative is a red eye flight on a A320 with the european style business class (such as the LH, LX, OS flights to CAI).
Club soda IS sparkling water 🙂
The main dish looks pretty similar to what they were serving in economy 10 or so years ago. I flew them Aswan to Amman, which required a transfer in Cairo, and both short flights had a full meal in economy! I wonder if they still do that?
@Andy agreed, tho pretty much everyone has at least one day flight to CAI so not that hard to avoid MS if you so wished.
As for the airlines safety practices, the EU has not banned or restricted MS, and the FAA has the Egyptian CAA listed as Category 1.
Personally, I know there are some EU airlines I am more hesitant to fly on than MS.
I though the use of Air marshals was so that they would not be easily identifiable to passengers...so much for that theory. Agree that they should be seated (or at least one) in business class...so they can keep watch of that cabin as it's closest to cockpit.
After two suicide flights - I too have no desire to fly them !
#1: That pillow is the grossest thing I've seen today.
#2: I read an AF J review on another blog today and it drove home how good you are at what you do. Thank you for many enjoyable reads!
Side question Lucky - do you watch safety videos each time you fly? Seems you would know most by heart and I'm just curious.
Lucky,
What is the camera you are using for most of the photos taken in your trip reports these day?
You ordered carbonated water and received carbonated water. How were the air nosles ? How polished was the service.
@Ben above - I agree, although that AF review over at TPG was one of the better ones. The NZ review from a few days ago was a disaster of biblical proportions. ...make me and everyone else run back here to a place where 99% of the reviews are great. I say 99% but I am not always in agreement with what I read or the tone, but overall Ben/Lucky is very good with his reviews.
I think TPG site is like this site, some of the reviewers are better than others. I mean, I wasn't a fan of Daniel's reviews, tbh. Lucky does do more of the reviews on here as a percentage of the overall reviews, so there is a clearer "voice" for this site overall than on TPG.
Does British Airways fly the ex-BMI A321 to Cairo? The one with the staggered seats in business class? I know they fly that plane to cities like Amman, Beirut, and Tel Aviv.
"I wouldn’t seek them out, but also wouldn’t avoid them"
I like this statement 🙂
Lucky, as per this trip report, it looks like you got the older 737 seats...
@ Zymm, @BigG - doesn't club soda contain salt while mineral water doesn't? I always thought that was the difference.
@james
The main difference between club soda and sparkling water is the type of “bubbles”. Club soda contains potassium bicarbonate, while sparkling water contains only CO2 (Carbon dioxide)
Si technically not the same product albeit very similar taste.
The aerial shot of arrival in Cairo really are amazing. The buildings look as if they were made with Legos.
Flew into Cairo last month on RJ VIE AMM CAI. It was late night and aborted landing. There was an aircraft on the runway. I looked at the FA and she had a mortified look. I’ll stay clear of Egyptian aviation
Your review was pretty accurate but my recent experience was even better. I flew FRA-CAI and had lie-flat seats and very efficient service (and excellent food). I remember thinking: how is it that a developing country’s national airline can serve a multi course hot meal for this many J passengers in under an hour, and those same passengers would get a bag of chips on a transcontinental flight back home? I’d staunchly avoided flying MS in the past and was only on this flight due to my original OS flight being cancelled, but I’d do it again.
Excellent review. The security officers are usually seated in the aile front seats of the economy. There main roll is to prevent passengers from behind to cross to toilets in front and again to let the business class leave the craft earlier and join business class bus if available. The security officer just give the impression they are there.
Services on board, meals, refreshments entertainment are limited to the basic necessities and to the minimum. Food is usually not tasty and sometimes not properly cooked. Choices of juices are limited.. Toilets are sometimes miserable.
However, you get what you paid for which is usually cheaper than competitors.