While my business class flight on EgyptAir was a big disappointment, my economy class flight left me with a better impression of EgyptAir…though it took until the final hour of the flight.
EgyptAir Economy Class: A Late Meal Is Better Than No Meal At All
I was on another Boeing 787-9 from Cairo to London, though this time flying in economy class. EgyptAir uses a fairly standard 3-3-3 configuration in economy class, but taunts tall passengers with tight legroom (31 inches) and an annoying footrest that flips down and severely restricts leg room whether raised or lowered. I find these footrests absolutely worthless and cannot understand why any carrier would add them.
The flight was full, with nearly every seat taken. I had a window seat and was hoping for an open middle, but thankfully had a quiet and skinny seatmate.
We took off and I was expecting a meal…I know my expectations should have been lowered after my transatlantic flight in business class, but I figured the food in economy class could not be any worse than in business. Food in the EgyptAir lounges in Cairo is limited, so I was hungry again for something more than mezze.
Shortly after takeoff the meal service did start…each passenger was offered a water bottle and small packaged slice of cake.
I was livid at this point. How cheap was EgyptAir to starve its passenger with this crap on its flagship route to London? How long are carriers going to play these ridiculous cost-cutting games?
I closed my eyes and went to sleep, since I didn’t sleep much on the flight to Cairo.
But EgyptAir redeemed itself.
About an hour before landing my seatmate shook me awake. I sat up and looked around. The carts were in the aisle and I dryly thought how fortunate I was to have another drink before landing in London.
But it was more than a drink – it was a hot lunch. Each passenger was handed a blue plastic container and also offered a choice of chicken or beef.
I chose chicken. How bad would it be? Turns out it was 10x better than the business class food. The chicken breast was seasoned in a lovely sauce with a slight spice and the cooked vegetables and potatoes were flavored with olive oil. The salad was also refreshing (I skipped the bread and cake).
So not in the end, I enjoyed a nice nap of almost four hours and enjoyed a tasty hot lunch prior to landing in London. It seems that EgyptAir has brought business class service down to economy class levels, but preserved economy class service.
I’ll have more details about the service, IFE, and other amenities onboard in my full review.
My SO loves the footrests. They are short so it really helps with leg fatigue.
What leads you to believe London is a “flagship” route, and what does that even mean? Does Egyptair or any carrier that doesn’t use that term actually care about that?
Because they called it that during boarding time…
There is always a huge difference in the quality of the catering depending on where it is loaded and a carrier from base is usually better than from any outstation. Even companies like SIA demonstrate that is true and at their home, the quality of what they serve in business is better than many others serve in first including Lufthansa from SIN but probably not Air France. The quality of what SIA serve from LHR or SYD does not match what they serve from SIN either.
I must admit, that meal DOES look impressive!
The seat mate improved the experience instead of potentially having Matthew sleep through the meal.
US airlines never have headrest paper.
I thought the proactive seatmate also sounded like one of the MVPs of this flight.
You sure it tasted better not because you were so hungry?
Could be. I won’t rule it out totally.
At least they serve a meal. Did you try traveling from Los Angeles to Miami (more than 5 hours) and get peanuts and soda.
Do you really want to compare? Or is it let’s slam Egypt Air. Some fairness please.
Oh please. We are talking about two totally different markets.
Nice review, Thanks Matt. FYI for Arab people good food is good hospitality, and I don’t mind.
Usually for my Egypt Air flights, they serve food right after takeoff and after collecting the empty trays they dimm the cabin lights for passengers to get the typical after food nap, still I don’t mind it.
I traveled from Washington to Cairo by Egyptair carrier 10:30 hours it was the greatest trip of my life better than European airlines really you are very rude about it.
Did you try British airways from London to Los Angeles? Much worse.
Dear,
This is the first positive review online. I am not sure if you are paid for this review. We are talking here about the worst airline. My flight was cancelled, since many months I keep trying to call egyptair for refund but they never answer the phone. I have submitted online refund request, since four months no reply.
Thank you
January 22, 2022 at 8:26 am
I traveled with EGYPTAIR last week with my daughter .. and yes the chicken was super delicious and so is the beef.. i understand that for tall or big passengers the seats are tights.. but I would recommend EGYPTAIR for all international flights.. for they have the best pilots ever.
Do you know that British airways provide only water and crisps on the same route ( seems that BA got affected by easyJet)
That’s crazy. I was thankful to fly EgyptAir.
We flew BA from London to Cairo, and EA back from Cairo to London in economy, Egypt air supplied the exact meal in this article, and the flight had in flight films, and 2 free 23kg bags each in the ticket price. BA by comparison charged for all bags, no in flight meal, no in flight films and you only got given a small bottle of water and a cake bar. Not impressed with BA at all, and very impressed with Egyptair.