EgyptAir

NOT THE CHOICE OF PHAROS You must agree, EgyptAir has nailed it with their aircraft livery. The vibrant colours and graphics are impossible to mis. If only the flying experience was just as memorable. The check-in staff at Cairo were extremely friendly and efficient. But given the benchmark set by other middle east airlines - the business class lounge experience borders on embarrassing. I found myself in the Alioth Lounge – if you can call it a lounge. It was more like a doctor’s waiting room. Bright lighting with old and dated furniture. You won’t find anything enticing to eat and will most likely be counting down your departure time.

Boarding was a fiasco, and the flight was from Cairo to Istanbul on a very new 737-800. The smell of the new tan leather business class seats filled the cabin, and they were extremely comfortable for a narrow body aircraft. The controls were manual with limited pitch and not much feet support.

This is a dry airline so not a drop of alcohol. There were 2 dedicated flight attendants for business class, and the service was straight forward and friendly. There was a choice of main course with everything delivered on the one stray. It was well portioned and 8 out of 10 for taste.

There are no prizes for mediocrity in the airline industry. Based in the Middle East this airline faces stiff competition from the likes of Qatar, Emirates and Etihad. Stuck between a rock and a hard place they should either go low-cost no frills or position themselves as a boutique high-end service.

To do so will take money and guts. Sadly, I don’t think they have either.