Egyptair Almeisan Lounge

Egyptair Almeisan Lounge – Cairo (CAI)

The Almeisan Lounge is one of Egyptair’s three premium lounges at Cairo Airport International Terminal 3.

The three clubs—dubbed Almeisan, Geniah, and Alioth—are similar in terms of amenities, and even design to some extent, so just head to the club nearest to your gate, keeping in mind that all lounges are located after immigration, but before security. The Almeisan Lounge is situated near gate F1, just before F10.

Egyptair Almeisan Lounge CAI design

Egyptair Almeisan Lounge Cairo seating area

Veteran travelers may feel a blast from the past as they step inside the Egyptair Almeisan Lounge at Cairo Airport International Terminal 3. The club sports the design of the original Star Alliance-branded lounges in London, Los Angeles, Paris, and Nagoya.

Egyptair joined Star Alliance back in 2008, and the airline enlisted local architecture firm ElGhoneimi in 2011 to design Cairo’s “first world-class lounge” using the blueprints of the Star Alliance design.

Time has passed. The aforementioned Star Alliance lounges have all closed or been remodeled, but the faded original décor lives on at Cairo airport. The dark palette, beige tones, metal mesh dividers, and wood and metal finishes make for a dark and bland ensemble lacking vibrancy. The only natural light comes from the terminal’s occasional odd round windows. Back in its heyday, the club incorporated individual lamps to compensate for the cavernous feel, but those have fallen into disrepair and were never replaced. The lounge certainly has seen better days, but it remains clean and functional overall.

Egyptair Almeisan Lounge Cairo seating area

The Egyptair Almeisan Lounge features multiple seating zones. The main area is furnished with traditional lounge seats with individual consoles outfitted with a power outlet (of the local/European type). Adjacent is another seating area with a set of vintage leather seats and wooden tables were probably repurposed from an older lounge, breaking the monotony of the décor. There are also a few more secluded areas, including two intimate TV lounges, and an alcove with a handful of isolated seats and a bean bag. The buffet and dining area are located in the rear.

While power outlets are plentiful, the Almeisan Lounge lacks dedicated workspaces. (The Gienah lounge has two individual desks.)

Egyptair Almeisan Lounge CAI amenities

The Egyptair Almeisan Lounge at Cairo airport features a set of essential amenities.

Egyptair Almeisan Lounge Cairo salad bar

Egyptair offers complimentary and unlimited Wi-Fi—in comparison, the public service in the concourse times out after 15 minutes. Each device requires an individual access code.

The food selection includes a substantial salad bar, a variety of salty and sweet snacks and pastries, various sandwiches and a hot entrée and/or individual “TV dinners” in plastic trays that guests can reheat at their leisure.

On the beverage front, guests will find bottled water, juices and soda, and espresso. Due to local customs, Egyptair does not serve alcohol.

Other amenities include a selection of newspapers and magazines, and a bathroom (but no showers.)

The Almeisan Lounge is entirely non-smoking, which is noteworthy in Egypt.

Egyptair Almeisan Lounge CAI bottom line

Egyptair Almeisan Lounge Cairo secluded seating

There’s nothing aspirational about the Egyptair Lounges at Cairo airport. The three international clubs at Terminal 3—Almeisan, Geniah, and Alioth—deliver on basics such as comfortable seating, power outlets, Wi-Fi, and snacks. The Almeisan Lounge has a slightly broader food spread than its counterparts, but lacks convenient work spaces.

Unfortunately, Egyptair doesn’t offer any of the bells and whistles that make an international airport lounge noteworthy: the design and food selection are unremarkable, there are no showers, and due to local customs there is no alcohol either. In comparison, foreign airlines have invested in world-class clubs in Terminal 2.

The Almeisan lounge is located outside security (passengers go to through security at the departure gate) so be sure to leave early. On the bright side, premium passengers benefit from expedited security service: once at the gate, look for the Gold Track sign and make your presence known to a customer service agent so you can cut the line.