Egyptair took delivery on March 9 of the first of six new Boeing 777-300ER widebody jets set to take wing in its fleet through early 2011, as the Cairo-based carrier considers expansion to new U.S. gateways.
The new plane features 49 lie-flat, business-class seats and 297 economy seats, in a nine-abreast configuration, with individual entertainment monitors and power outlets. The jet, to fly Egyptair's daily Cairo-London Heathrow nonstop, is also equipped with a state-of-the-art mood-lighting system.
A second 777, to be delivered in April, will fly the Tokyo route, while third and fourth airplanes will service New York Kennedy.
Egyptair, which recently moved all operations to Cairo Airport's brand-new Terminal 3, is also considering other North American gateways, said Eastern/Midwest Regional Sales Manager Jessica O'Keefe. Candidate cities include Chicago, Detroit, Newark, Toronto and Washington.
The airline is eyeing expansion because it has managed to buck the economic downturn and performed well in 2009 and early 2010, said O'Keefe. In fact, it's busy signing new agreements with U.S. tour operators and helping underwrite a new agent specialist program from the Egyptian Tourist Authority. Egyptair pays retailers commissions of 8% and up.