happywanderer

Can anyone tell me if Egypt Air has partnershp with any U.S. airline? Trying to find out if I can use mileage to Cairo on a U.S. frequent flier program.

I think the answer is no. Just trying to confirm this.

Thx for the help.

sandi

Sorry, but NO!

But they may be connected with a European carrier. Call them and ask.

gail

I think Egyptair is the only airline to fly nonstop from NYC - but Delta flies via Paris and American flies on a codeshare with someone.

happywanderer

Thx, Sandi.

Thx, Gail.

Gilawi

If you are a member of American Airlines frequent flyers miles program, like me, you can fly from US to Cairo, via British Airways or Iberia. I actually have a reservation departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to New York - London- Cairo and returning from Cairo via Madrid to San Juan. Hope this helps.

Phil555

If you have United Airline miles you can use Lufthansia (part of Star Alliance) to fly from the US to Cairo.
They fly via Frankfurt.

sandi

Gilawi -

If you are flying BA from SJU/JFK/LHR/CAI, be aware that you will NOT accrue frequent flyer miles in your AA program for the leg between JFK/LHR. However, if you have a BA frequent flyer account, you might want to give your BA number for that leg.

I gather you will be flying Iberia from MAD/SJU, so that should be okay.

tgnych

take care! no alcohol on Egyptair. Not sure if it matters to you but better know.

MauiMaui

I belong to Delta and am flying January 04 from Miami via Milan to Cairo on Alitalia.

jacobsonel

When I flew Egypt Air several years ago, I vowed that I would never again step foot in one of their planes. The plane was filthy---in a long flight from JFK to Cairo, the bathrooms were never cleaned. We were served dinner when we boarded and got nothing else until a hasty breakfast was served just before we landed---no water, no nothing. The attendants never came down the aisles; they were in the back smoking and sleeping. The plane was on time, but the 60" wait for luggage made up for that. Just a warning---there are better ways to get to Cairo.

wanderlust123

Well, jacobsonel, that worries me a bit as I am flying to Egypt in February on Egypt Air. I have been hesitant to go with them, thinking about making my own flight arrangements, but the cost was considerabley more than the included air with the tour package. Any others with comments on Egypt Air?

sandi

I certainly cannot guarantee any particlar flight on any given air carrier will be without fault, but on every flight I've ever flown they serve beverages and then meal-service about one to one-half hours after flight has reached cruising altitude.

Afterwards, shades are drawn and movies are available for passenger viewing. Flight attendents remain in the rear of the plane and don't bother passengers as most are sleeping, reading, or watching movies. If one wants water, they either get up and go to the rear to get it, or ring for an attendent.

Then about one-hour prior landing a lite meal (maybe breakfast) is served - this is usually a cold meal.

I've yet seen the schedule deviate regardless the carrier.

And none of the flight crew are part of the maintenance staff - they do not clean lavs, which, if messy or dirty is due to the passengers. They will, however, close a lav if it extremely dirty.

EgyptAir isn't better or worse than other carriers.

And remember, that you always have to option to bring your own meal (and alcoholic beverage) as EgyptAir doesn't serve.

As far as luggage delays once in Cairo, I've had that happen on half of any flights I've ever flown; more than seeing my luggage waiting for me by the time I've passed through Immigration.

Your main concern should be that the plane takes off and lands.

gail

We had fine experience with Egyptair 2 1/2 years ago. Plane was newer 777, service was efficient, food a little odd. Offered splits of wine upon boarding at JFK (to Cairo). Flight attendants did smoke quite a bit a rear of plane, but were available to meet any needs. We found plane cleaner and newer than on most US carriers we have flown. Also took several flights within Egypt - same decent service. (although plane to Abu Simbel was a little older)

Regarding time of dinner service - our flight left JFK at 10 or 11 PM, and dinner was served as soon as plane reached safe altitude - then they left us alone to sleep. Got light meal about an hour before we landed. Luggage arrived within a reasonable time.

I think I have had good and bad service on just about any US carrier I can think of. Sorry, jacobonsel, that you had a bad experience. Just wanted to let wunderlust know not everyone had as bad a trip.

wanderlust123

Thanks so much for your feedback, sandi and gail! I appreciate the reassurance and feel better about flying Egypt Air. I agree, the most important part is that the plane takes off and lands. One more question -- do they really allow the flight attendants to smoke on the plane? I thought these were non-smoking flights.

sandi

With few exceptions smoking is prohibited on most airlines; however, I've noticed that on some foreign carrier, though they don't make mention of it, they do hold a row or two at the rear of the plane for smokers - and many of the flight attendents take advantage of this. So while the plane is non-smoking, those who choose to, just use one of the seats in the rear for the time it take to finish a cigarette then return to their own seat upfront.

Joe_in_Silver_Spring

We flew from JFK to Cairo on Egypt Air 11/29/03 and returned 12/13. The plane and flight were indistinguishable (sp?)from other flights I've taken this year, except there was no alcohol. Restrooms were clean and food was adequate--typical western fare.

ptcruiser

Far as I know, answer is NO to the frequest flyer question. I flew JFK-Cairo October 2003. Had reading light problems in our section of plane on outbound flight, children somewhat cry-baby like, but no alcohol (or smoking). Return flight delayed 5 1/2 hours, but upon arrival at JFK, nearly everyone missed connecting flights. Egypt Air accomodated EVERYONE with overnight accomodations, including meal voucher, and full-fare return ticket next day to Orlando. That portion (Orlando-JFK R/T was MY responsibility, as I didn't book it as a thru ticket, so most generous of them.) I'd fly them again in a heart beat! Couple lavs got well used, but attendants kept them reasonably clean, even if it wasn't their responsibility. Go for it!

SmileyFace

Terrible flights. Try another airline. We flew them recently on Business Class JFK to CAI and back. I wouldn't recommend them, especially if onflight smoking bothers you. Although all their flights are supposedly non-smoking, the flight attendants apparently felt that this did not apply to them. Except for meal times, most just hid at the front of the plane behind closed curtains smoking. This forced some of the business class passengers to get their own drinks from the galley and I noticed that some of the attendants even changed out of their uniforms into sweatsuits for about 1/2 of the flight. When one of the passengers complained of the smoke, they tried to pass it off as the smell of Egyptian food.

Check in at JFK and in CAI was extremely slow and confused. Some other passengers I saw actually upgraded to business just for the shorter check in line after becoming frustrated with the slow check-in process. Food was subpar and leave lots of time for connections because we never left on time (including our Domestic Egypt Air flights).

Egypt was great, however, just try to get there on another airline.

wanderlust123

Smileyface, how recently did you have this experience? I keep readimg a mixture of responses on Egypt Air and keep wondering if it has improved more recently or or if it depends on the particular flight or if it depends on the person's perspective experiencing the flight or if it is just a mixed bag. Any help appreciated.

ncanavan

Just got back.

Egypt Air was fine. Food and service were exceptable, the plane was in good shape and flights (including three domestic flights)were on time.
No alchohol is served, and in-flight movies are censored in occasionally puzzling ways.
I do have one tip: the bulkhead row is row fourty (more leg room), and those sitting in windows on the right side get to see the pyramids prior to landing.