Egyptair

DXB-CAI-BCN return flight booked last minute June 2012. DXB-CAI operated by a modern Airbus A330-300 however there was nearly no staff service cabin crew were rude and ignorant. Disgusting food dirty and smelly toilets on-board. No drinking water available. Chaotic assistance by ground staff at Cairo: ignorant and no English-speaking people who were even unable to tell us which was the local hour. At least I could use the Business Class lounge with my star Alliance Gold card. CAI-BCN: old tired B737-800 staff were ok onboard but awful food no alcohol served. Luggage delayed at arrival. The same happened on return: delayed flight from BCN-CAI no in-flight entertainment no alcohol available. They served twice the same meal on BCN-CAI and CAI-DXB with no choice available. Luggage delayed at DXB with no assistance whatsoever. How can these people belong to Star Alliance? Never again.

We flew Business Class and the service was similar to economy class. Little to no water or beverages offered for the 11 hour flight- we had to keep asking for them to fill our tiny glasses (that is right no bottles for the passengers). The service was rude and staff seemed depressed. Inflight entertainment was very poor- movies that I have never heard of and limited selection. Earphones were economy class earphones. Be forewarned Egyptair is a dry airline no alcohol. That is ok if the rest of the service was ok but it was not. The seats were fine and a small pillow and blanket were supplied.

23-29 April 2013 BRU-CAI-BKK-KUL KUL-BKK-CAI. Very poor service. Food not comparable to business from other airlines. No concern for safety. 777-300 ER on the long haul with flat bed that was a saving grace. Very cheap business class fare and you get what you pay for. Will not fly them again even with the cheaper fare flying was not a pleasure with Egyptair.

After a positive experience in economy recently I decided to fly them to China in business class due to a low fare plus the business class seat had looked very inviting when I walked past it on my previous flight. Indeed from LHR to CAI the seat was very nice although the service was very spotty just small things such as the cabin crew forgot to serve dessert to the last two rows of the cabin. Also if you serve a cup of tea with sachets of sugar perched on the saucer is it too much trouble to also include a teaspoon? I queued for ages for the forward lavatory before the milling flight attendants bothered to point out that there was also a lav aft. Basically an OK flight but with some weirdly amateurish omissions. Lounge in Cairo was a disgrace I spent most of the transit time crawling around on the floor of the "business centre" trying to get one / any of the computers to work (also wifi was broken). CAI to PEK was the long sector which I planned to make the most of the flat bed and sleep so imagine my disappointment to find that on this flight the seat was a much more old-fashioned "Lazy Boy" recliner and that after the doors closed the cabin crew upgraded all their friends which rather undermined the exclusivity of the cabin. Not worth paying for if crew use the business class cabin as a perk for their friends nor if the airline are deploying flat beds on short flights (LHR) and unsatisfying old seats on long flights (PEK). Had high hopes but totally disappointed by crew hard product and Cairo lounge. Not worth it.

Economy Class to JNB from London and return. I enjoyed the trip seats were comfortable and I had leg room which is important as I am well over 6 ft tall. Food was adequate and service good.

BRU-CAI-BKK-CAI-BRU. BRU-CAI-BRU on B737. CAI-BKK-CAI on B777ER. There are many airlines offering a much better business product but not at this price. Check in was smooth in BRU and in BKK transfer in CAI wasn't much of a hassle. All you need in the lounges in BRU and in BKK. Lounge in CAI is rather basic. Seating comfort on B737 was very good. I got a big seat and plenty of room. On the B777 the seat is also very comfortable and it can be converted into a slightly angled lie flat bed. On both long haul flights I had several hours of good sleep. Catering is nothing special. I got the same starter 4 times (some shrimps hidden in a lot of cocktail sauce) and the mains can best be compared to what you get in economy on some better airlines. Egyptair is a dry airline so only soft drinks and juices. Cabin staff do their job without pampering. Conclusion: it's a good deal when the comfort of the seating is more important than the dining experience. For this reason I will fly with them again.

LHR-ADD and ADD-LXR and LXR-LHR. Throughout the whole process from check-in (on all 6 flights) to cabin crew apart from a few exceptions the attitude of the staff was almost rude and uncaring. The security checks were inconsistent - sometimes water allowed on the flight sometimes not (even if bought in the airport) or once only if I paid the official! Food was just about acceptable but no alcohol. Film choices limited and many quite old. I would definitely not choose to use them again.

ATH-CAI-BAH return Business Class. Athens to Cairo B738 old and torn. Food was a cold snack tray of bad quality. No alcohol no IFE. Inattentive crew. Transfer to CAI smooth though the lounge less than average. Lack of alcohol even a descent coffee as they only serve instant. CAI-BAH EMB145 old and torn no business class seats narrow pitch. Awful food again no alcohol again inattentive crew.

AMM-CAI-AMM with them in economy. Both legs were on B737-800 although originally CAI-AMM we were supposed to fly an A320. Seat was ok but cabin temperature was too hot! With flight attendants it was hit and miss. The good things about MS are they operated from newer terminal 3 in Cairo and their CAI check in staff were good and presentable unlike their inflight crew. Food wise - it has gone downhill.

London Heathrow to Luxor. Old aircraft. Poor food. Soft drinks served in plastic beakers. Cairo to London Heathrow. New aircraft much better. Aircraft not full. Food poor. Landing at LHR the aircraft was still taxiing but passengers stood up got luggage and then stood until pilot came to a halt. No requests from pilot to remain seated and cabin crew seemed totally uninterested. Would not recommend Egyptair.