I have flown EgyptAir so many times domestically and it actually puts European domestic services to shame (FYI I'm an F/A for a leading UK airline).

By the way your dates are perfect as EgyptAir are launching a new domestic subsidiary 'EgyptAir Express' with brand new aircraft on 01 June 2007. And you're in luck as the first route is Cairo - Sharm El Sheikh.

With this EgyptAir and EgyptAir Express will have upto 9x daily flights on the route. Try to book yourself on the Express flights (operated by the Embraer E170 aircraft) as the aircraft will only be a few days/weeks old in June!

Here are 2 reviews for EgyptAir:

Cairo - Sharm El Sheikh:
http://www.airliners.net/discussions/trip_reports/read.main/78457/

Cairo - Hurghada:
http://www.airliners.net/discussions/trip_reports/read.main/98222/

p.s. I should add the new terminal in Sharm El Sheikh opens in May, so you'll also be using the brand new facilities at the airport too!!!

Sounds great! How do I book on it then as I can't see it mentioned on egyptair website? Is it easy enough for an Egypt novice to do then..see the sights of Cairo without a tour guide? What would we have to do at the airport..get a taxi to the pyramids? Im useless I know

Any help would be great and would impress my husband heehee

EJ xxx

How do I book on it then as I can't see it mentioned on egyptair website?

I assume you mean the Express flights, right? If so then then go to http://www.egyptair.com.eg/english/ , type in Sharm to Cairo and the dates you want.

For the Express flights between Sharm and Cairo you have 4 options:
MS302: departs Sharm@10:25, arrives Cairo@11:20
MS304: departs Sharm@13:40, arrives Cairo@14:35
MS306: departs Sharm@18:25, arrives Cairo@19:20
MS310: departs Sharm@21:40, arrives Cairo@22:35

For the Express flights back from Cairo to Sharm you have 4 options:
MS301: departs Cairo@09:00, arrives Sharm@09:55
MS303: departs Cairo@12:15, arrives Sharm@13:10
MS305: departs Cairo@17:00, arrives Sharm@17:55
MS309: departs Cairo@20:15, arrives Sharm@21:10

So you could fly out on MS302 and return MS309. HOWEVER EgyptAir offer flights that leave Sharm earlier and get back later. Your choice.

As for touring the city, if you are a novice it might be better to have it organised to get the most out of the day. Your hotel in Sharm could help you with that or you might try the small travel agents dotted around the resort. You could try this too: http://www.karnak-egypt.com/

Thats great,thanks for yor trouble. Is it possible to book these cheap flights ourselves then before we go to Egypt and then just book a tour guide at one of the travel companys out there?

Also, Do you have to be at the airport 2 hours before the flights like at home?

EJ xx

Hi Vyker,

I dont suppose you know how much the flight from Cairo to Sharm is do you. My friend and I will be there in July and flying to Sharm is a better option that East Delata buses.
Thanks

did any one find the answer to ellijays ???

ellijay, yes you can book these flights at http://www.egyptair.com.eg and pay with a credit card. For domestic flights, check-in closes 40 mins before a flight. I usually arrive at the airport an hour before flight. Note the facilities (e.g. cafes) at the domestic terminals at Cairo and Sharm Airport are somewhat limited (until the new terminals in both airports open).

Helene, if you give me your preferred dates and times, I'll give you a quote.

Hi Vyker,

Thank you for your info. I went onto link and found that a flight from Cairo to Sharm is £16.00 each - bargain, so I am about to book in the next few days when I sort our itinerary out.

One question though, I assume its an e ticket I get and I take that to the airport? Do we only need to arrive an hour before the flight?

I cant thank you enough for this info. If I hadnt read this thread, we would have been sitting on the East Delta Bus for 8 to 10 hours in the scorching sun.

Hey Helena, no problem. I'm glad I could of helped.

Yes you'll be issued with an e-ticket when booking through the website, you'll receive an email with your booking reference number and flight/personal details. Print out a copy and take it with you when checking in.

As for when to check in, EgyptAir closes domestic flights 20 minutes before departure time. Arriving an hour before the flight is fine (I have done that many times).

Will you be booking yourself on an EgyptAir or EgyptAir Express flight? The latter receive their first aircraft on Monday, so you'll flying brand new jets!

And consider yourself lucky that you'll be flying to Cairo. I tried the bus service once and swore never again. 7 and a half hours on a bus is not comfortable. But to be fair they are air conditioned, they make several 'comfort' stops and sell drinks/snacks on board.

If you need any more help, just let me know

Hi Vyker,

I have just looked on the Egyptair site and it says the code is MS305, so I'm not sure whether it is new or not, but it sure beats 10 hours on the jolly old bus! The only hurdle I shall have is negotiating a taxi at the airport to Sharks Bay without being charged the obligitary £25.00

If it's MS302 then you'll be flying on the new EgyptAir Express flight.

Here is a photo of the new airline: http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2513/1egyptairalta1xl2.jpg

Now that will be exciting - a new plane. I've booked to stay in the Novotel 6th October in Cairo, its on the suburbs as we didnt want the noise of the city in the evening. Do you know it by any chance. I hope I've done my homework and the hotel have been very good in replying to my emails?

Hi,
Ive just priced up 4 return flights (2 adults, 2 children) to Cairo..it comes to £108 GBP...this is fantastic! Is it for real!?

Its an early morning flight (7.30amish) with a late flight back to Sharm the same day...is this long enough in Cairo,bearing in mind our 2 kids will be with us?

Also..what is the cheapest way to and from Sharm airport?

Thanks, Helen x

Well, that is the difficult bit. The taxis are readily available at the airport if you want to pay around £25.00. I suggest that you contact the hotel where you will stay and see if they can send you out a car. Just check the price first. Believe me, its a load of hassle negotiating a taxi at the airport, and they can be quite rude.

We have to thank Vyker for the info on the flights, without this I would have been on the grotty East Delta bus

Hi Vyker

Just booked my flights and the aircraft on my recepit says Embraer 170 and the Airline is Egyptair MS305. Lucikly for us, the baggage allowance is 20kgs, so we will able to shop til we drop!

it's not the best airlines in the world but they are doing a good job in general

helene, glad I could of helped. Just to let you know 6th October city is an out of development of city (similar to Milton Keynes). It less crowded than Cairo proper, more developed and certainly a place to relax after a hectic day touring the city. From the city centre (Tahrir Square) it will take around 40 minutes by taxi (dependant on traffic).

oldhippie, I work for a major UK airline and I can assure you the service that EgyptAir offer (particularly domestic flights) exceeds what we get here in Europe.

Thanks for the info Vyker, that is what I was hoping. The hotel run a free shuttle bus to downtown and back twice a day, so I'm sure we will cope getting into the city.

Dont suppose you can you recommend any good clubs??