Review: EgyptAir 737-800 Business Class from Cairo to Beirut

The point of this review is to showcase what EgyptAir’s shorthaul service is like. In case you missed my earlier post, this was my Scary Flight on EgyptAir. The weather was very rough and I will not rehash that part of the flight because it was beyond the control of EgyptAir and I don’t even like remembering it…

EgyptAir MS713
Cairo (CAI) – Beirut (BEY)
Friday, November 30, 2016
Depart: 11:15 PM
Arrive: 12:35 AM+1
Duration: 1hr, 20min
Aircraft: 737-800
Seat: 9A (Business Class)

EgyptAir uses the aging Terminal 3 at Cairo International Airport. While the terminal is not luxurious, it is perfectly functional. Terminal 1 is spacious, bright, and modern so hopefully Terminal 3 can catch up one day.

EgyptAir uses a handful of lounges in CAI, all designated with with a Star Alliance logo outside the door. I checked out the Al Genah and ALIOTH lounges during my 3hr layover. I also walked into the Kochab lounge… then walked right out. It was the smoking lounge and it seemed like half the airport was in it.

Boarding began on-time at Gate F7. Although I had to undergo a security check during transit in Cairo, all passengers went through another check at the gate before boarding the flight.

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A cheerful FA greeted passenger as they boarded and I took my seat in 9A (second row of business). EgyptAir’s 737-800 has 24 seats in business class and 120 in economy class. A man was already seated next to me when I boarded, one of only six people I counted in business class.

EgyptAir Regional Business Seats

The seats on this flight were like a domestic first class flight in the USA, only with leg rests. The cabin and seats were well-maintained, yet clearly old. Each seat had a working ashtray and the seat fabric looked straight out of a Boeing 747-100 Upper Deck lounge (the planes are actually not that old). Recline is manually controlled.

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I liked the gold-plated seat belts…

EgyptAir Regional Business IFE

Seat-back IFE was available with movies, TV shows, audio, and games — just like a lonaghul flight.

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EgyptAir Regional Business Dining

A light meal was served directly after takeoff on a single tray. I was not all that hungry, but it contained cold cuts, warmed bread, and cheese. I did pick at the strawberry dessert along with a cup of tea.

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A FA told me hot meals are served on flights over two hours.

EgyptAir Regional Business Service

Speaking of service, the FA who worked our cabin was very nice. She smiled and was friendly, but was not as engaging as the wonderful crew on the London to Cairo sector.

The pilot did not make any announcements. Royal Jordanian pilots also seem to follow this policy and it is a bit strange, but apparently just the way things are done.

CONCLUSION

Our bumpy ride in Beirut slightly delayed our arrival, but I had left plenty of time to connect. There is nothing really special to report on this flight, but considering the flight time was only about an hour I was impressed by the seat and meal. After two flights on EgyptAir, I do recommend the Egyptian flag carrier despite its dry status.