Egyptair

I had confirmed ticket from Hurghada to London via Cairo in December. My luggage was booked through to London boarding card issued till Cairo citing systems issues. On reaching Cairo I was informed that the Cairo-London flight was cancelled (snow disruption) I could collect my baggage there and go to customer services - they directed me to ticketing to determine flight options. Most unhelpful personnel there who told me next available flight to London was after 2 days that I would need to make my own stay & other arrangements. They refused my request to be rerouted through other locations (which flights were operational). I finally paid £200 more to go to Paris (on a flight a couple of hours later) over the £360 one way fare and then paid another £99 to get to London from Paris. I recommend using EU airlines who are regulated by EU regulations.

JNB-CAI and CAI-LUX return. Not the friendliest crew but not unwelcoming. Seats were comfortable and food edible if you go for that kind of food. We booked and paid early so the fares were a steal.

Egyptair Express a short flight Hurghada to Cairo. There were 3 flight attendants on the flight in which none of them greeted the passengers until half way through boarding when a male flight attendant appeared and happily helped customers. The cabin was tidy seats comfortable and leg room was generous. The safety demonstration - none! Of course there was the range of beverages available. We were served by 2 female flight attendants didn't smile once. just stared at you blankly until you asked them for a drink service was slow and there wasn't much time to finish your drink! Disembarking was pretty similar to boarding.

LIS-CAI-LIS. Both flights with one hour delay. Staff very impersonal entertainment very poor. The food was acceptable plane was clean and looked new. An average experience with a good relation quality / price.

AMM-CAI-LUX LUX-CAI-ATH. We chose Egyptair for relatively cheap fares and convenience around Egypt and the middle east. First flight ordinary cabin crew was a little incompetent and seemed a bit young. Flights to and from Luxor were alright nothing bad but nothing too good either. Flight to Athens was quite pleasant nice and friendly staff food edible for once.

MLA (Malta) to BKK via CAI. First leg on the EgyptAir Express subsidiary clean comfortable and smart new Embraer 170. An excellent light meal served. CAI-BKK an old and slightly shabby 777 with no personal entertainment and only one (Arabic) movie shown on the large screens. Leg room in economy excellent. Two meals served both average and uninspiring but not terrible. Cabin crew on both legs were efficient but not as polite or friendly as with some airlines. One attendant spent most of the MLA-CAI leg chatting to a passenger she seemed to know. No alcohol available on either flight. Check-ins were very smooth. All in all I was pretty satisfied given my low expectations and the fairly low price of my ticket.

New York to Cairo and return and wished we had waited until January 2011 when the new 777-300ER will be available. Service ordinary seats were better than economy but only barely. Attendants helpful when asked but did not go out of their way to assist. The domestic trips on Egypt Air were better than the flight over.

I generally fly EgyptAir about 4 times per year and have become used to shabby service. My other options are BA or BMI and they are not much different when it comes to customer service. I find the staff on EgyptAir lazy and unprofessional who just try to get from one side of the Atlantic to the other without too much bother. I think they should lower their prices or up the quality of service with better trained staff.

CAI-BKK Business Class on an old B777-200. The seats are cramped movie sound was scratchy and headsets cheap ear insert type. No noise cancelling headsets available. I skipped dinner and took breakfast. The hot meal was only warmed slightly. The attendant called the senior attendant to ask what was wrong in a manner that suggest I was the only problem passenger. The man next to me said he had also a different hot plate and it also was cold and his hot tea was cold.

London to Johannesburg via Cairo. New plane to Cairo excellent with great inflight entertainment. Older plane to Johannesburg - no entertainment. Staff extremely helpful pleasant food and timekeeping great. The price was excellent too. Transfer at Cairo easy and people there helpful too.