Prologue:
Hello and welcome to the return portion of my CAI trip that I took back in 2017.I recall Geoffrey Chaucer's words "All good things must come to and end" on my last day in Cairo with resigned acceptance after spending a few memorable days in this fascinating city. Cairo is a city of superlatives - geographically and historically. Being the largest city in Africa and the Arab world it is also the repository of magnificent treasures from one of the greatest civilizations in the world as we all know, but one thing is to know and another thing is to experience it with all your senses.
i leave the hotel by 5p through a van that I have arranged with the concierge the previous day. As I pass through the city I am fascinated by the contrast of the intense afternoon light against some of the buildings and get my pocket camera out to shoot the passing scenes from my moving vehicle.
My last glimpse of Cairo is the Baron Empain Palace - an Indian styled mansion in Heliopolis reputed to be one of the most haunted places in the city. Baron Empain's company - Compagnie Generale de Traction won a bid in 1897 to build the Paris Metro.
I was deposited at T3 and proceeded to security where everybody's bags had to be scanned. A guy expedited me through the line and helped me place the bag in the x-ray machine. I gave him a good tip at the other end. One aspect about Egypt that some travelers might find annoying is the culture of "baksheesh" or tipping which is prevalent and expected everywhere you go. It's a voluntary act but if at the end of the day it makes your life easier then why not spread some "generosity".
The TK check-in counter is right after security and it was fairly empty. I understand that in Cairo you can check in as early as 3 hrs before the flight not sooner. The agent was pleasant and issued the boarding passes quickly. I then went through Immigration followed by last minute shopping at Duty Free. There was a food court behind the shops with views to the tarmac. A couple of MS planes were at the gates with their beautiful livery. MS might not be regarded as one of the top airlines in the world but its logo and livery is one of the most beautiful in my book.
The entrance was decorated with Ramadan motifs which gave the lounge a welcoming impression. I thought that the round windows were unusual and they reminded me of the ones found in a submarine. There were several partitioned areas and a buffet with snacks and limited hot food which consisted of beef stew rice and savory pastries. The WC inside the lounge was convenient but basic.
Publications.
More publications in the back.
Business area with computers.
Buffet.
A few hot dishes which was OK.
I guess the lounge encourages pax to take hot drinks outside but where are the lids?. :P
My snacks.
A smaller buffet with hot soup and seating area in the back of the lounge.
WC in the back.
The gate was located a few steps from the lounge and I was surprised to find another security checkpoint there. The staff was friendly and made the process more bearable. Once I was on the other side I walked towards the gate where a special corner was set for *A Gold pax.
When all the pax from the incoming flight disembarked it was time to board the plane starting with pax in wheelchairs and families traveling with children followed by J and elite pax. A smiling FA greeted people as they stepped inside the A320 which had a typical intra-European configuration in J with the middle seat blocked.
I noticed that the bulkhead row on the right side was unoccupied so after the door closed I asked the FA if I could move there. She gave me the OK and I settled on 1F - a window seat.
Pre-dept. drinks were offered followed immediately by the distribution of menus. I had a glass of orange juice.
Menu.
Bye CAI.
The meal service began with hot towels followed by the appetizer tray with your drink of choice. I accompanied it with a glass of ayran (salty yogurt drink). A small salad cheese and dessert were already on the tray set up.
Then the main dish was brought out. The sea bass en papilotte was one of the best fish dishes that I have ever tasted in an airplane. When fish is offered inside an airplane there is the risk of drying it out through overcooking but not on today's flight. I was presented with a firm piece that was moist and cooked perfectly. My first bite was a flavorful revelation that validated TK's catering as one of the best. The sweetness of the julienne vegetables complemented the delicate saltiness of the fish beautifully.
Finally the Mascarpone passionfruit dessert was the perfect ending to this exquisite meal. It was a contrast in layered textures that was brilliantly conceived with a crunchy bottom placed under the creamy cheese which in turn was topped by a smooth and thin layer of passionfruit.
We parked in a remote area where a dedicated bus for J pax took us back to the terminal.
========== Cairo Intl Arpt (CAI) - ==========
========== Egyptair Almeisan Lounge ==========
========== THY - Turkish Airlines - Airline ==========
========== Ataturk Arpt (IST) - ==========
Summary:
Cairo T3 was a perfectly acceptable terminal and the MS lounges were fine. For some reason I was under the impression that food was limited to snacks so I was pleasantly surprised when I found hot food, although this was limited. Perhaps during dinner time they offer a bit more food.TK used an intra-European J cabin on this route which is understandable due to the flight length and market. Catering excelled as always and the fish that I had was one of the best seafood dishes that I have had in an airplane. Service aboard was polite and efficient.
12 Comments
ReplyA good flight with a stunning catering as always. Thanks Adan.
You can always count on TK for decent food. Thanks for visiting and see you.
ReplyCairo was on my to-do list and I hope to get there at some point. Thanks for this review. Coming from TK to AA, it's just terrible for AA. Cheers and stay safe !
You should try to visit CAI when it is safe to do so. It's a great destination and the pyramids are not to be missed.
On my return I thought I used an award ticket but upon checking again I purchased a one way LGA-SFO on UA. Still a great contrast coming from TK. :P
Take care and be safe.
ReplyYou flew a lot of routes I've been on. Weird to see that lounge. I have that fish to Jkt. A delicious meal.
Thanks for the report.
Take care mate.
I guess we have a lot of notes to compare in that case. ;)
Be well my friend.
ReplyThanks for sharing this TR
A rather poor food spread in the lounge and the furnitures are quite tired ^^
"livery is one of the most beautiful in my book."
I agree hundred percent with you
"The sea bass en papilotte was one of the best fish dishes that I have ever tasted in an airplane"
I have to agree hundred percent with you a second time !
I ate twice of this dish on my TUN-IST flight
" I was under the impression that food was limited to snacks"
You are flying US companies too much
A very good TK flight
For a hub lounge one would expect more, right?
Glad to have your consensus on a few things. :P You really loved the fish dish.
Stay safe.
ReplyThe lounge is below average but in par to what Thomas have published. The food on board is always impressive given the 2h flight.
Thanks Adan.
Casper
It's too bad that MS cannot offer a better lounge at its home airport. At least offer some showers for connecting pax.
TK catering is renowned among avgeeks.
Cuidate.
ReplyHello Adan!
We had to go to Cairo for the 10 years ofmy son in June but unfortunately that will not be the case...
CAI looks nice and the lounge not so bad.
What a very nice catering onboard this flight!!!!
Thank you for sharing with us.
You will have more wonderful trips in the future. If anything this quarantine will give us a greater appreciation and renewed perspective the next time we set foot on an airplane.
You can always look forward to a nice meal aboard TK just like in a restaurant. :P
Stay well and safe.
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