As his fans know, Shah likes to ask important questions from time to time. So for this post, the question is — how in the world is EgyptAir (code MS) even a member of Star Alliance? After all, the Alliance is supposed to have members that meet certain standards of operation, service and professionalism.

EgyptAir fails in each and every area, which is evidenced by the experience of so many other fliers and the various reviews posted here. To call EgyptAir a third-class airline is an insult to other third-class airlines.

Here’s our experience.

We took MS 840 (JNB to CAI; 05/01/25) economy class. The airplane was sweltering inside, estimated to be well above 30 C. People were sweating, fanning themselves and cursing. We were left waiting inside for close to an hour due to some AC problem, which the pilot never came on to explain. Even the cabin staff didn’t know what was going on. Then suddenly everyone was asked to deplane and remain in the terminal. Again after about an hour, without an announcement boarding began again. Still hot inside, at least the flight took off, now two hours late.

Durint the above ordeal inside the plane, the washrooms were all locked. When Shah asked why this was so, the answer was due to security. This never happens on any other airline, and actually may be illegal. People should be allowed to use the restroom after boarding, and certainly while the plane is parked and not even moving anywhere with seat belt signs off. After bitter complaints from many passengers, the cabin staff finally relented and opened the bathrooms.

Next flight was on MS 787 (CAI to MUC; 10/01/25) business class. The flight boarded two hours late due to the captain’s seat having to be replaced. Again, no announcements from the airport staff and when people inquired, they were unresponsive and even hostile in some cases. People were lined up to board and remained so without any information given. After boarding, there no announcements from the pilot at any time, even a welcome and certainly no explanation for the delay.

EgyptAir is an absolutely horrid airline, staffed with people who either do not know how to communicate or simply do not wish to do so. We can all understand that flight problems can occur, though this appears to be endemic to this airline. But the absence of any information or even the mere effort to explain to your customers what is happening is a symptom of a serious lack of managerial professionalism and an abundance of arrogance.

Bottom line, EgyptAir does not belong in Star Alliance and comes nowhere close to the service that the other members provide on a regular basis. In fact, the airline should be suspended from the Alliance and a thorough audit undertaken, which it will undoubtedly fail. It should only be re-admitted only after a prolonged period of oversight to ensure EgyptAir can meet and maintain standards of decency for customer service and operational excellence.

Shah says: EgyptAir is the national airline of Egypt and therefore provides a very negative image for the country as a whole because it is the first experience a passenger has when visiting the country.

Shah’s tip: Avoid EgyptAir entirely. If there are other airlines from Europe, USA or elsewhere going to Cairo then take that instead, even if it is a bit more expensive. You do not want to experience this airline and very likely will be delayed and can possibly miss a connecting flight, as so many did on our above two flights.

I arrived my destination without my bag containing my clothes and personal effects, I complained and was told I will get it in 3days but I can shop for clothes worth 100USD.I was told to send my invoice at my convenience, I was ill due to my meds were in the bag. All emails given to me bounced back. Finally I got to them and they said they won't reimburse.

Egyptair is the WORST airline I have ever flown. Their airlines stewards were very rude. We had a layover from Cairo to go to Ghana. They purposedly did not send our luggage to Ghana. They kept lying about our luggage & when we were going to get it. We went 4 days without our luggage. And they had the audacity to only offer of $100($95.00 American) for toiletries only. No extra money for the clothes and underwear we had to pay for. From speaking with people at the airport, their main office where we went to get money from, even people at the mall and people in Ghana, Egyptair does this all of the time, especially in the month of December. All they do is lie to you the whole time & give you the run around. Instead of being able to enjoy our vacation, we spent half of the time going back & fort to the airport. Egyptair should be shut down!! I can't believe they are still in business for as long they have been getting over on people with bluntly leaving their luggage in Cairo. They knew they were not sending our lugging when we arrived there. People had medication in their luggage. They should be ashamed of themselves. For them to be a spiritual country, you would think they would run business better than what they do and they would have nice people working for them. THE WORST AIRLINES!!!! DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM!!!

My luggage is lost since 21st december in fligh MS852 Addis-Cairo. NO CUSTOMER SERVICE at all, this airlines fails in giving any update, never answering phones, the staff in airport desk indifferent, with vague answer avoiding taking responsability, unhelpful.
Airline service has been unresponsive, rude, dimissive when addressing concerns or update about my lost luggage.
totally lack of accountability, covering up the mistakes made.
no comunnication, lack of accountability, no tracking, slow, unhelpful responses.
DONT TRAVEL WITH EGYPT AIR

Worst airline you could ever use. Forget about having to deal with the worst customer service and worst staff in all airlines with the worst and most old airplanes, We had 4 hours layover in Cairo airport and still EgyptAir and their poor service couldn't manage to transfer our luggage successfully and now it is 76 hours waiting for my luggage to arrive.