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. As the flag carrier of its country, Egyptair represents Egypt on the global stage. Egyptair is also commonly referred to as Egypt Air. 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. However, Egyptair’s newer business class cabins do not feature the reverse herringbone seats that are now common across many airlines, which can make the hard product feel less competitive.

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, placing it among several dry airlines that prohibit alcohol service on board. Some travelers may have expected a different beverage service based on experiences with other airlines. 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. Egyptair’s business class fares are often chosen for their lower price compared to other airlines, despite receiving mixed reviews, so many travelers consult comprehensive airline reviews of premium cabins when comparing options.

For those loyal to the brand, the Egyptair Plus loyalty program continues to offer tiered rewards and exclusive privileges for frequent travelers. The overall experience of Egyptair business class is decent but sometimes considered worse than top-tier competitors, with some passengers describing the product as cheap, which leads many price-sensitive travelers to compare discounted business class flights worldwide before booking.

Cairo International Airport, Egyptair’s primary hub, is a modern facility featuring duty-free shopping, a range of dining venues, and essential traveler services, comparable in many ways to the ground experience described in our Kuwait Airways Business Class review. Security remains thorough and can be time-consuming, though Business Class guests benefit from expedited check-in and fast-track security. Egyptair’s global network includes long-haul flights to destinations such as New York, making it a key transit point for international travelers. 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. A boarding pass is required for entry to Egyptair's lounges. 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. Travelers with a long layover at Cairo Airport may find the lounge facilities limited.

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; travelers hunting for premium comfort at lower fares often start by searching business class flights to anywhere from $2292.

Egyptair’s Business Class cabins vary significantly depending on aircraft type, much like other major Asian carriers; for instance, Air China’s Business Class review highlights how seat design and layout differ across its fleet. 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 angled lie flat seat is a key feature for business class passengers, providing more comfort than standard recliners, though it may not match the fully flat options on newer aircraft.

The highlight of the fleet is the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which boasts a competitive 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. These reverse herringbone seats provide direct aisle access, enhanced privacy, generous storage, and a modern inflight entertainment system, making them especially appealing for business class passengers. 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; travelers specifically seeking the best Business Class seats for couples and families may want to compare alternative airlines and configurations. Solo travelers should prioritize Dreamliner-operated flights for optimal comfort and privacy. Choosing a window seat offers extra privacy and better views, making it ideal for solo travelers. 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. The position of your seat within the cabin—such as being in the last row or by the window—can affect your privacy and convenience. 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. The seats are generally fine for most travelers, though not as luxurious as some competitors.

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. Dinner is typically served as the main meal on long-haul flights. 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. Egyptair's catering is generally considered average, with meals often served in disposable containers and a limited menu, falling short of the standards set by other premium airlines. 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. Flight attendants come through the cabin a second time to serve breakfast or snacks. 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. Egyptair is considered a dry airline, meaning it does not serve alcohol on board under any circumstances, even if passengers bring their own. 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 flight attendants are generally proficient in English, but proactive engagement is rare. The flight crew plays a key role in ensuring passenger comfort and safety throughout the journey. 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.

It is also a common practice on some Egyptair flights for flight attendants to upgrade friends or family to business class after boarding is complete.

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. However, the in flight entertainment selection is noticeably smaller and less current than what is offered by many other airlines, so passengers may want to bring their own devices for a wider choice.

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, bringing Egyptair closer to regional competitors such as Royal Jordanian’s Crown Business Class. The moving map feature allows passengers to track their flight progress in real time throughout the journey. Headsets with basic noise-cancelling features are provided at each seat, and remote controls make navigating content straightforward, even when fully reclined. Some passengers may find it difficult to hear the audio clearly due to equipment limitations.

The Businessclass flight search tool includes up-to-date information about inflight Wi-Fi and entertainment systems for all major airlines. For travelers prioritizing onboard entertainment, Singapore Airlines is often cited as a leader in the industry, offering a far more extensive and high-quality experience.

Egyptair’s amenity kit varies 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, the amenity kit includes 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. The type of plane used can significantly affect the comfort of your trip, with some planes like the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner or Boeing 777 offering enhanced cabin features. 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, a region where Kenya Airways Business Class is another notable option for premium travelers