Egyptair Boeing 737 Domestic Business Class Review | Cairo – Hurghada

Considering Egyptair’s domestic business class for short hops like Cairo to Hurghada? Does the modest price difference justify the upgrade? We recently put it to the test and our detailed review reveals whether the lounge access, seat comfort and priority services make it worthwhile.

Introduction

Egyptair operates a fleet of Airbus A220, A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft for domestic flights within Egypt. We noticed that prices for domestic business class seats are often only marginally higher than economy – sometimes as little as US$15 more each way. With such small price differences, is it worth paying extra to fly business class on Egyptair’s short domestic flights? We recently had the chance to fly Egyptair’s business class on one of their Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Cairo to Hurghada and here is our review of the full experience.

Website: www.egyptair.com

A Smooth and Efficient Check-in Process

Our journey with Egyptair business class started with a very smooth check-in process at Cairo Airport Terminal 3 (Domestic Departures). Egyptair has dedicated business class counters, so we were able to avoid the economy class lines. The agent quickly printed my boarding pass, tagged our checked bags as priority and we were on our way. For your information, baggage allowance is:

Checked Baggage: 1 piece of 32 kg | Hand Baggage: 2 pieces of 8 kg each

The Small but Convenient Business Class Lounge 

The Egyptair business class lounge is located just before the second security screening area. The lounge itself is on the smaller side, with seating for around 30 passengers. It offers the usual amenities you’d expect like hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, pastries and clean bathrooms. It is not an elaborate lounge by any means, but it provides a comfortable place to relax before your flight. The major benefit is skipping the overpriced and unappetising food at the nearby cafes in the terminal.

Priority Boarding Without The Frills

When it was time to board, business class passengers were invited to board first. However, Egyptair does not use separate buses for business class – we all boarded the same buses bound for the remote stands. Still, we were able to board quickly and settle in with minimal fuss. 

Spacious Recliner Seats in a Dated Cabin

Egyptair’s 737-800s have 24 business class seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration. The seats are fairly wide recliners with a good amount of legroom and a footrest. The seat pitch was 48 inches and seat width was 19.8 inches, with the tray table in the armrest. 

One of us is 6’1″ and had no issues getting comfortable. The seat controls were very basic and the cabin itself looked quite dated. This wasn’t a big issue for us given the short 1.5 hour flight time. But it is something to note if you are expecting lavish surroundings.

Complimentary Snacks and Drinks, But Limited Service

Being a dry airline, Egyptair does not serve alcohol, but they do offer complimentary soft drinks, juice, tea and coffee in business class. We were also given a snack box with a sandwich, cake and packaged condiments. The crew fulfilled requests in a friendly manner, but service was definitely sparse on this quick domestic hop. No amenity kits or other frills were provided.

No In-Flight Entertainment – Bring Your Own!

Egyptair’s 737-800 fleet does not offer any in-flight entertainment, so make sure to bring your own loaded tablet or e-reader if you need entertainment. There is no Wi-Fi either. With the short flight times we did not mind having no IFE, but it is something to consider if you are used to having screens at every seat.

Priority Disembarkation – First Off the Plane!

One of the biggest advantages of flying business on Egyptair’s domestic routes is you are usually the first passenger off the plane upon landing. Our checked luggage was also given priority status, so they came out quickly at baggage claim in Hurghada. This allowed us to swiftly get out of the airport and get on with our vacation.

Comparative Pricing: Business vs Economy Class

On domestic flights, business class seats may only be priced marginally higher than economy seats. Here’s a comparative example:

Sectors	Business Class	Economy Class	Difference
CAIRO – HURGHADA	116	91	25
CAIRO – SHARM EL SHEIKH	125	91	31
MARSA ALAM – CAIRO	120	105	15

*One way tickets | All prices are in US$ | Skyscanner.com

Is Egyptair’s Domestic Business Class Worth the Extra Cost?

Overall, we found Egyptair’s domestic business class experience to be worthwhile due to:

The hard product itself is quite dated and service levels are very basic. But for flights under 2 hours within Egypt, we found the marginal extra cost of business class to be money well spent. The access to their small business class lounge, additional space, expedited processes on the ground and shortened wait times after landing more than made up for the lack of luxury touches in the air.

If trying to stretch your budget, economy would certainly get you from A to B just fine. However, Egyptair’s domestic business class provides a nice improvement for very little extra. We would book it again, especially when travelling at peak times when the airports are more congested.

What is Egyptair’s Domestic Business Class Cabin Like?

Configuration and Seat Details

Onboard Services and Amenities

Is Egyptair a Good Airline?

Sustainability: Is Egyptair Doing Its Part?

Egyptair follows the Star Alliance’s Sustainability strategy. In its annual report, the airline mentions:

The Star Alliance and its member airlines place considerable importance in enhancing individuals and communities via sustainable air travel. In order to achieve this, members are dedicated to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and their environmental footprint, all while striving towards the industry’s objective of attaining net-zero carbon emissions.

What is Cairo Airport’s Domestic Terminal Like for Business Class Passengers?

Navigating the Terminal

Checking In

The Business Class Lounge

Boarding and Buses to the Aircraft

Cairo Airport | Domestic Terminal | Bus Transfer | Egypt

What is Egyptair’s Business Class Meal Service Like on Domestic Flights?

What Kind of Amenities Do You Get in Egyptair Domestic Business Class?

The lack of amenities is likely due to the short 1-1.5 hour flight times on domestic routes. While amenity kits and headphones would be nice, their absence did not detract from the experience much.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Flying Business Class on Egyptair?

Overall, the pros of access to the business lounge, extra space, expedited processes and minimal cost over economy make Egyptair’s domestic business class an appealing choice on flights within Egypt. The cons like lack of luxury are easy to overlook on these shorter flights.

Tips for Flying Egyptair Domestic Business Class 

Final Verdict: Should You Fly Egyptair for Domestic Business Class?

While it lacks some of the luxury frills and amenities of other airline’s business classes, Egyptair does provide solid value for money. The ability to book seats in advance, relax in the lounge and disembark quickly after landing were the biggest advantages for us. 

The experience is basic, but well worth the small premium over economy class – especially when flying during peak congested times. We would recommend trying Egyptair’s domestic business class if you can get it for only $15-$30 over economy. For travel within Egypt, it hits a sweet spot between price and comfort.

Check-in (Priority)

Lounge

Boarding (Priority)

Seat Comfort

Food & Beverage

In-Flight Entertainment

Service (on-board)

Arrival (Priority)

Punctuality

Value for Money

OVERALL

FAQs