Checking in at LHR was OK with minimal line and minimal acknowledgement that we were there, by the check in staff. However, she declared, she was pleased to confirm that she had managed to secure us two seats together (config. 2-4-2). We feigned our admiration for her in the hope of an upgrade, but it wasn't to be. We made our way to the servisair lounge for the 1st time (used to VA UC lounge) finding it OK - on the small size, but an adequate bar and a few snacks of biscuits, cheese, crisps etc. All the papers were out so did a bit of duty free shopping and passed an hour and half before boarding.
This was delayed half an hour before sitting on what must have been quite a new plane, with leather seating and bright decor. Overhead TV monitors displayed a static flight map and we had an in flight magazine to keep us occupied (half Arabic/half English). People crushed on for another 20 minutes, before being advised that due to 'Heathrows fault' of being very busy, we would be another hour on ground. A few groans, but we sat patiently, in absence of any refreshments watching the map and a feature about mosques and temples in Egypt (in Arabic).
Eventually, we took off with Heathrow still heavily taking the blame from the pilot. Within half an hour the in flight service was going round - soft drinks only (wonder if that is the same in Business, being an Arab nation, frowning on alcohol) and a choice of 'chicken or beef?'. We had one each, and I think the chicken was the slightly better option being a curry like meal, with the beef being not very beef like! Another Fanta drink (Sorry sir? Finta? - despite being labelled up as such) and that was more or less it, subject to a awful coffee and a pleasant tea.
IFE, despite being advertised as a US movie (thriller, looked good) were 2 Hindu type bollywood movies that had subtitles. Not being interested I immersed myself into a book and ipod.
That was it really, no further service given. We eventually landed at 00.30, 2 hours late in Cairo, waiting for our luggage for 35 minutes, before our guide whisked us off, with our lives in his hand through the Cairo traffic, to the Oberoi, Mena House, just opposite pyramids, for 5 great days.
We then went to Sharm (Four Seasons, one of the best hotels I have stayed in) for 5 further nights before the return flight.
Sharm was a new airport, however the conveyor belt had broke for the luggage which led to ensued chaos, with manual tags on the luggage (at least it wasn't weighed!) and baggage everywhere, being taken off by strangers on trolleys - very worried! The departure lounge was one throng of people not knowing what was happening. Eventually queues disintegrated and scrums emerged as everyone surged for the gates. Following their example and not wanting to miss our plane and tight connection, we boarded just 20 minutes late with a speedy take off, landing in Cairo just 50 minutes later.
Thank heavens we had a guide to meet us in Cairo. I have never seen anything like it. One thousand people (it seemed) around 40 odd check in desks, with no order, civility, manners or courtesy. Shouting, praying and shoving were all the rage as our guide pushed to the front of the queue (if you could call it that) to many Arabic curses being attributed to him, but at least we were checked in - never seen anything like it - a third world country would have been more organised it seemed.
Anyhow, 3rd row from back of plane gave us a bit of peace we thought. Sat opposite a man with his Koran out, singing and praying to himself quite loud - on 9/11 - gave me a bit of a start, but coninved my self and assumed this was normal in Egypt. Also on board was a very elderly man with a wrist band advising us he was 'fragile' and had a drip attached to him, with his son (I guessed) taking photos of him! (Remember him how he was I pleaded!) - then there was another elderly man having it appeared a faith healer massgaing his temple in some sort of exorcism prayer. And then a young couple took to changing their baby's nappy in front of everyone on a spare seat nearby, leaving him 'bare' for 5 minutes while cleaning up a dirty nappy. You wouldn't get that on VA UCS for sure!! What an ecclectic bunch!
Took off half an hour late and then half hour later a croissant and OJ was handed out. Then 1 1/2 hours we had the offer of 'beef or fish'. What type of fish I enquired? White, I was advised. Oh well, I plumped for that remembering what the beef was like. My suffering wife went for the beef and wished she hadn't. Fish was tasteless, washed down by a sprite.
Same IFE choice, so had a doze (uncomfortable seating - really missed the VA seats) before landing about 35 minutes late. Heathrow was like Shangri-La comapred to Cairo (and that's saying something!). Bypassed a long immigration queue with IRIS which was great, only to be met with waiting for our luggage for 50 minutes which was a real chore, especially since we had a 4am start, it now being 4pm.
Got luggage and eventually shot off. Cairo was an expereince, but facinating city while Sharm was an oasis of tranquility. Airports were an adventure in themselves, but we had a great holiday. Have to say though, can't wait for my NY/Florida/Vegas trip in Nov/Dec, with UCS and internal business class, all the way!!
