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Home  >  Flight Reviews • Kenya Airways  >  Review: Kenya Airways E190 Economy Class
Flight ReviewsKenya Airways

Review: Kenya Airways E190 Economy Class

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 12, 2023May 14, 2023 7 Comments

I chose Kenya Airways to fly from Mombasa to Johannesburg, with a stop in Nairobi required. This review represents my first segment: a Kenya Airways E190 in economy class.

In This Post:
  • Kenya Airways E190 Economy Class Review (MBA-NBO)
    • Seat
    • IFE + Wi-Fi
    • Food + Drink
    • Lavatory
    • CONCLUSION

Kenya Airways E190 Economy Class Review (MBA-NBO)

Intra-Africa tickets are quite expensive, so I used miles. My Kenya Airways flights were booked with Flying Blue miles at a rate of 22.5K miles and about $143 in taxes (versus nearly $600 for a paid ticket). That netted me about the two cents per miles I target when deciding whether to use miles or cash.

We arrived quite early to Mombasa and had plenty of time to sit in the lounge and then sit at the gate prior to departure. Our flight also ended up being delayed by about 20 minutes, though we still ultimately arrived in Nairobi five minutes early.

A “Friendly” Security Check

The gate area features a glass partition which divides the international side from the domestic side. The domestic side was very quiet, with only a coffee shop and a “candy” shop once past security.

Boarding commenced from what looked like two booths at a state fair.

After scanning my by boarding pass, I walked though the glass doors and onto a terrace from which I walked down to the jet bridge.

Kenya Airways (KQ) 603
Mombasa (MBA) – Nairobi (NBO)
Thursday, December 1
Depart: 09:50 AM
Arrive: 10:50 AM
Duration: 1 hr, 00 min
Distance: 262 miles
Aircraft: Embraer 190
Seat: 18A (Economy Class)

I wound up in 18A because I could not stomach paying the extra $40 for a seat in the front half of the cabin. Even though I have SkyTeam Elite Plus status via ITA Airways, I was told I needed to pay…which was fair enough, but I decided to remain in my “free” seat for the short flight to NBO.

Seat

Business class is arranged in a 1-2 configuration with 12 seats (four rows of three seats).

Economy class is arranged in a 2-2 configuration and includes 84 seats. I did not bring my measuring tape, but legroom was on the tight side and felt about 31 inches.

Above each seat was a reading light and individual air vent. Seats did recline slightly.

Each seat also had a coat hook.

IFE + Wi-Fi

Each seat included an individual monitor (seatback screens in all non bulkhead or emergency exit rows), though these were turned off during the flight. Not even a moving map was available.

There was USB-A charging available, though.

Thankfully, there were picturesque views out the window which helped to pass the time, including Mt. Kilimanjaro sticking out above the clouds.

Flying over Mt. Kilimanjaro on Kenya Airways

Always great to see a 737-200!

Food + Drink

Despite the short duration of the flight, flight attendants sprang up shortly after takeoff to offer a choice of beverage and light snack. I had a glass of water and was pleased to receive a package of nuts that included macadamia nuts (as the number one ingredient) and cashews. In the pecking order of my favorite nuts, macadamia is at the top (followed by pecans and pistachios). What a nice snack.

I also appreciated that flight attendants offered a moist towelette to every passenger prior to takeoff.

Lavatory

Economy class passengers had access to a rear lavatory, that was quite small but clean.

CONCLUSION

We landed to a very hazy day, though the temperature was significantly cooler than in Mombasa (what a relief to escape the heat). This flight could not have been smoother. Even though we left late we still landed early and I was happy to receive a great packet of nuts plus a beverage on a 245-mile flight.

I had a long layover ahead in Nairobi prior to my Dreamliner flight to Johannesburg. Little did I know how much walking the layover would entail…

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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7 Comments

  1. Malik on Wall Street Reply
    May 12, 2023 at 8:28 am

    It’s a rarity to see seatback tv screens on E190s unless you fly on shorter B6 flights. Shame that they were turned off though.

  2. Aaron Reply
    May 12, 2023 at 10:35 am

    I wonder what business class gets served on a short flight like this.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 12, 2023 at 10:55 am

      I noticed a meal was served (I could see them serving the tray). Not sure if it was hot or how substantial the meal was.

  3. Richard S Reply
    May 12, 2023 at 1:12 pm

    Expensive for such a short flight!! How much would business have cost, I wonder ?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 12, 2023 at 1:22 pm

      In terms of points, it was roughly double. I didn’t check the cash price.

  4. simmonad Reply
    May 13, 2023 at 6:09 am

    On a 45 minute flight between Koh Samui and Bangkok, Bangkok Air serves a full meal, then juice, then tea or coffee on their A319s. I was impressed!

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 13, 2023 at 8:27 am

      Even on a turboprop Bangkok Airways manages a meal on even the shortest flights! Great carrier.

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