EgyptAir 787 Dreamliner Business Class (Cairo to Dubai) — Has Africa’s Most Infamous Airline Transformed?

• Airline: Egypt Air
• Class: Business
• Route: Cairo (CAI) to Dubai (DXB)
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

We all used to hate EgyptAir. Let’s be honest about it: rude, completely untrained cabin crew, filthy, outdated planes, and catering that was nearly unpalatable. For the longest time, flying Egypt’s flag carrier was a painful ordeal, earning them a reputation as one of the worst airlines on Earth.

But things have changed. With new-generation aircraft, modern seats, and a completely new wave of enthusiastic crew, EgyptAir claims to have turned the page.

I booked a ticket on their flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Cairo to Dubai in Business Class to find out if the turnaround is real or just clever PR.

If you’ve spent any time at Cairo International Airport (CAI), you know Terminal 3 can be pure chaos. It easily remains one of the most frustrating airport environments in the world. From the moment you step out of your taxi, you are constantly hassled by staff and handlers asking for money, tips, or unsolicited favors.

Since I was flying Business Class, I used the Star Alliance Fast Track lanes. The check-in itself was strangely silent, but when I asked the agent for a pen to fill out my immigration card, he handed it over and said:

“Nothing is for free.”

When I told him I was from Germany and that kindness is always free, it was a classic reminder of the persistent “hustle culture” at CAI.

Before boarding, I swung by the EgyptAir Lounge. Unfortunately, while the fleet is being modernized, the lounge experience is stuck in the past. It’s outdated, cramped, uncomfortable, and the food buffet is distinctly below average. Now that EgyptAir has invested in world-class airplanes, refurbishing their hub lounge network needs to be their next big priority.

The Hard Product: A Massive Upgrade

Walking onboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, my initial reaction was an immediate “Wow.”

This is no longer the EgyptAir of old with dirty, slanting, forward-facing seats.

• Cabin Layout: The Business Class cabin features 30 modern reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 layout. Every passenger gets direct aisle access and lie-flat privacy.
• Short-Haul Perks: On a short three-hour hop to Dubai, receiving a well-stocked amenity kit and a warm towel before departure is impressive—a touch many self-proclaimed “five-star” airlines have cut.
• Onboard Tech: The Dreamliner features functioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, which is a massive plus for keeping connected at 35,000 feet.

Cabin Crew & Service: A Total Mindset

The biggest revelation of this flight wasn’t the seat—it was the crew.

In the past, EgyptAir crew were notorious for hating cameras, doing the bare minimum, and looking like they were on a mission to make your flight miserable. Those days are over. The new generation of flight attendants is warm, friendly, proud of their product, and completely welcoming to video creators. You can tell they’ve undergone real service training as the airline shifts from a bureaucratic state entity into a competitive, service-oriented international carrier.

The only real downside during the flight came from fellow passengers. An upgraded traveler spent half the flight shouting across seats to his friend. While a quick, polite word got them to lower their volume, cabin noise management remains a mixed bag.

Catering & Cleanliness: Still Room for Improvement

While the hard product and crew get top marks, catering remains EgyptAir’s Achilles’ heel.

• The Meal: Breakfast was served about an hour into the flight—an omelet with sausages, spinach, potato wedges, a croissant, salad, jam, and honey.
• The Taste: While the tray presentation was decent, the food itself was super dry and mostly tasteless.
• Lavatories: Restroom cleanliness was okay, but still shows room for tighter maintenance standards compared to competitors like Emirates or Qatar Airways.

Despite the ground hassle in Cairo and average catering, EgyptAir has successfully executed one of the most impressive airline turnarounds in recent history. For $250, getting a fully lie-flat reverse herringbone seat, great crew service, and an amenity kit on a 3-hour flight is unbeatable value.

• Pros: Modern 1-2-1 reverse herringbone seats, onboard Wi-Fi, friendly and welcoming crew, great amenity kits.
• Cons: Frustrating Cairo ground experience, outdated airport lounge, dry food catering.

EgyptAir has transformed from one of the worst carriers on Earth into one of the most competitive airlines in Africa. I can comfortably say I’d fly them again.

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This is it guys, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip!