Established in 1932, Egypt Air is the first commercial airline in the Middle East and the seventh in the world. However, over ninety years of operation in the field of aviation have not been sufficient to establish towering customer service traditions, outstanding efficiency practices, or significant revenues. Instead, years of delinquency, manipulation, malfeasance, and a dash of an Egyptian trait known as “Fahlawah1” have sunk the company into debt, mismanagement, and a steadfast commitment to corruption.
To avoid relying solely on my personal bias toward this company, I will quote a summary of reviews written by hundreds of customers who have flown with Egypt Air2. According to a recent “Trustpilot” publication, Egypt Air customers gave the airline an average rating of 1.3 stars on a 5-star evaluation scale.
According to Trustpilot, Egypt Air received a mix of reviews regarding passengers’ flying experiences. While a small number of passengers appreciated the good flight conditions, generous luggage allowances, and reasonable meals, a significant majority expressed dissatisfaction with delays, poor communication, and subpar services.
Several passengers reported delayed flights, missed connections, and a lack of responsiveness to compensation claims. Issues with boarding procedures, cleanliness, and disorganization were also raised, with many travelers feeling frustrated and inconvenienced.
Passengers complained about cramped seating arrangements, uncomfortable conditions, and worn-out seats with unpleasant odors. The in-flight entertainment system was criticized for its outdated screens and limited content, contributing to an overall unpleasant journey.
Criticism also extended to the quality of the meals. Passengers described the food as tasteless and unappetizing, with some receiving incorrect meals. Others highlighted the lack of beverage options and rude behavior from flight attendants, which left a negative impression of the airline’s catering services.
Most Egypt Air customers expressed frustration with the airline’s customer service, citing difficulties in reaching representatives via phone or email. Communication issues during boarding were frequently mentioned, with claims of misinformation and a lack of assistance from airline staff.
In my next “Letter from America,” I will describe my experience with Cairo Airport, Egypt Air’s main hub.
Notes:
- Fahlawah: A common Egyptian behavior in which a person pretends to be an expert in a topic they have just heard about. The term is said to originate from the Pharaonic era and is derived from the Persian word “Pahlavi.” It refers to someone characterized by courage, resourcefulness, quick understanding, and intuition.
- Trustpilot Review of Egypt Air: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/egyptair.com
Trustpilot Group plc is a Danish consumer business operating a review website, founded in Denmark in 2007. The site hosts reviews of businesses worldwide, with nearly 1 million new reviews posted each month. Trustpilot offers freemium services to businesses.