Review of Egyptair Business Class

Egyptair, Egypt’s national airline, operates an extensive global network spanning North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. While not considered a leader in business class luxury, Egyptair’s membership in the Star Alliance makes it a valuable option for frequent flyers seeking mileage earning and redemption opportunities worldwide.

The airline has made strides in modernizing its fleet, introducing advanced aircraft for both international and regional routes. If you’re fortunate enough to fly on Egyptair’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners or Airbus A320neo jets, you’ll experience a significant upgrade in comfort and technology compared to the older aircraft still in operation.

Service on board generally reflects the warm hospitality characteristic of the Middle East, though consistency can vary. Notably, Egyptair maintains a dry cabin policy—alcoholic beverages are not offered on any flight, in accordance with the airline’s religious principles. For travelers who prioritize wine or spirits as part of their inflight experience, this may be a consideration.

As a Star Alliance partner, Egyptair collaborates with nearly two dozen airlines, including Air Canada, Lufthansa, United, and Swiss, enabling seamless mileage accrual and redemption. Star Alliance Gold members traveling in any fare class enjoy priority benefits. For those loyal to the brand, the Egyptair Plus loyalty program continues to offer tiered rewards and exclusive privileges for frequent travelers.

Cairo International Airport, Egyptair’s primary hub, is a modern facility featuring duty-free shopping, a range of dining venues, and essential traveler services. Security remains thorough and can be time-consuming, though Business Class guests benefit from expedited check-in and fast-track security. However, the overall ground experience is understated, with limited added luxuries for premium passengers.

Egyptair operates several lounges at Cairo Airport, many of which have been refurbished in recent years. While these spaces offer a welcome retreat from the busy terminal, their food and beverage selection remains modest, and alcohol is not served. Wi-Fi connectivity has improved but may still lack the speed premium travelers expect. As with most airport restaurants, the no-alcohol policy is strictly observed throughout the terminal. Priority boarding is offered but can be inconsistently enforced, particularly at the Cairo hub, where eager crowds can blur the lines.

Both Business Class guests and Star Alliance Gold status holders are eligible for lounge access and priority lanes, with these privileges more reliably honored at international outstations than in Cairo itself.

Egyptair’s Business Class cabins vary significantly depending on aircraft type. Older Airbus A330s are fitted with dated recliner seats that offer minimal storage, while Boeing 777s feature angled lie-flat seats in a 2-3-2 arrangement—resulting in an undesirable middle seat for some travelers.

The highlight of the fleet is the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which boasts a competitive 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. Here, every guest enjoys direct aisle access, enhanced privacy, generous storage, and modern inflight entertainment. However, these aircraft are typically reserved for flagship routes, such as Washington DC and Paris, making them less accessible for many journeys.

For couples, paired seats are best, but on older Boeing 777s, the center section can be awkward due to the third seat. Solo travelers should prioritize Dreamliner-operated flights for optimal comfort and privacy. The forward Business Class cabin on the 777 is slightly more secluded, thanks to a galley divider that reduces foot traffic.

All seats on newer aircraft include side tables, power and USB outlets, a folding dining table, and storage within arm’s reach. Seat controls offer multiple recline positions, including fully flat beds. On the oldest A330s, controls and amenities are noticeably outdated.

The Businessclass flight search provides detailed seat maps, images, and specifications—such as pitch and width—so you can select the most comfortable option for your journey.

Egyptair’s Business Class menus, while visually appealing, often lack detailed descriptions and transparency about ingredients—main courses may be listed simply as “beef fillet” or “mixed seafood,” and cheese is generically labeled. This can be limiting for those with dietary restrictions or food allergies. The airline tends to use standardized menus across multiple routes, which means little seasonal or regional variety.

Business Class guests can expect four main course choices, always including a vegetarian option. Meal service begins with a linen-covered tray set with cutlery, salad, bread, and an appetizer, though the presentation is basic. Notably, Egyptair’s inflight cuisine rarely highlights authentic Egyptian dishes, missing a chance to showcase national flavors to an international audience.

Portion sizes are modest, and culinary creativity is limited compared to leading international carriers. There are no partnerships with renowned chefs or local culinary brands. Dessert usually consists of cake, fruit, or cheese—none particularly memorable.

Prior to landing on long-haul flights, a second meal is offered, with Egyptian breakfast options occasionally available. Special meals—including vegetarian, Muslim, and children’s selections—can be pre-ordered, but there is no “dine on demand” flexibility. Between services, light snacks are available in the galley.

Egyptair’s steadfast policy of not serving alcohol on any flight remains unchanged, setting it apart from several other Middle Eastern carriers that now offer alcoholic drinks as a choice. For travelers who value a glass of wine or a cocktail, this can influence the Business Class experience.

While some dry airlines have elevated their non-alcoholic offerings with creative juices, premium mocktails, and specialty teas, Egyptair’s beverage program is basic. The welcome drink is limited to juice or water, and the inflight trolley features standard soft drinks and juices. Refill service is infrequent, and crew presence between meal services is minimal—though each seat is stocked with a bottle of water upon boarding.

Hot beverage options include classic tea and coffee, but Egyptair does not serve Arabic coffee, missing a cultural opportunity. Anecdotally, some guests have been accommodated with crew opening their own duty-free wine, but this is neither official policy nor consistently permitted.

Although Egyptair does not serve alcohol, the Businessclass flight search details Champagne and beverage offerings for other premium airlines. We strive to keep this information current—please contact us with updates or corrections.

Service standards on Egyptair can be unpredictable, with some crews delivering attentive, personable care and others adopting a more transactional approach. During our recent flights, we noticed that cabin crew are generally proficient in English, but proactive engagement is rare. Guests typically need to use the call button or visit the galley to request additional service, as regular cabin checks are infrequent. While some team members go out of their way to personalize the journey, others appear less enthusiastic about guest interaction.

Entertainment options on Egyptair are highly dependent on the aircraft. Older A330s still in circulation are equipped with compact, armrest-mounted screens, while more modern aircraft feature larger seatback displays. The library of international films, TV shows, and music is limited but available in multiple languages, including a respectable selection of Arabic content.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner stands out with a significantly enhanced entertainment system and is currently the only long-haul aircraft in the fleet offering Wi-Fi connectivity—available for purchase and billed by data usage. Headsets with basic noise-cancelling features are provided at each seat, and remote controls make navigating content straightforward, even when fully reclined.

The Businessclass flight search tool includes up-to-date information about inflight Wi-Fi and entertainment systems for all major airlines.

Egyptair’s amenity kits vary by route, with most containing only the basics—such as socks, an eye mask, and simple toiletries. On select flights, however, the airline provides upgraded leather Cerrutti-branded bags filled with Aigner products, offering a more premium touch. The inconsistency can be notable, so travelers may have different experiences depending on their route and aircraft.

Unique to Egyptair, amenity kits include stickers for indicating wake-up preferences or duty-free interest, adding a personalized element. However, lavatory cleanliness could be improved, and the size and quality of pillows and duvets do not match the standards of top-tier carriers.

Families traveling with young children can request bassinets for long-haul journeys, available in designated seats.

On regional routes, Egyptair deploys a mix of widebody and narrowbody aircraft. Business Class typically features recliner seats, which are comfortable for flights under five hours. Meal service includes hot dishes on most international flights and cold snacks on domestic sectors. As with all Egyptair flights, alcohol is not available.

The A220-300 fleet introduces "Comfort Class," which offers many Business Class perks but features the same seat design as Economy Class. This product is best suited for short hops, with extra attention to service and priority boarding but limited seat differentiation.

Egyptair’s investment in fuel-efficient aircraft has resulted in a measurable reduction in fuel burn—currently estimated at a 20% improvement over previous generations. Since 2019, the airline’s sustainability committee has driven initiatives to further reduce environmental impact, including enhanced recycling and greener supply chain practices.

The airline is targeting a 90% reduction in single-use plastics, having already replaced 27 plastic items with eco-friendly alternatives. Egyptair continues to operate select "Green Service Flights" that spotlight sustainable practices, such as eliminating single-use plastics and promoting responsible resource management.

The Businessclass flight search provides CO2 emission data for each flight, and our quality scoring system favors airlines operating the newest, most environmentally conscious aircraft.

• Ongoing investment in fleet renewal and product upgrades, enhancing the overall guest experience
• Modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner cabins with true lie-flat seating and improved entertainment
• Extensive route network connecting underserved destinations across Africa and the Middle East