Airline profile · Middle East

EgyptAir

EgyptFull-service carrierStar Alliance memberSince 1932

MSIATA code
MSRICAO code

EgyptAir is the national airline of Egypt, a full-service carrier established in 1932 and based at Cairo International Airport. Star Alliance lists it as serving 84 airports in 58 countries from its Cairo hub. EgyptAir joined Star Alliance in July 2008 and runs the EGYPTAIR Plus loyalty programme.

Founded
1932
Headquarters
Cairo, Egypt
Country
Egypt
Main hubs
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Airline type
Full-service carrier
Alliance
Star Alliance
Loyalty
EGYPTAIR Plus
Parent
EgyptAir Holding Company
Ownership
Wholly owned by the Egyptian state, according to Egypt's Ministry of Civil Aviation as reported by the Cabinet media office in 2020; AACO lists the owner as the public sector.
Callsign
EGYPTAIR
Website
egyptair.com

How travel agents book EgyptAir

GDS distribution

EgyptAir content is distributed through the major GDSs. It signed a multi-year Sabre distribution agreement in June 2012, extended a long-standing Amadeus relationship with a long-term agreement in May 2023, and signed a long-term Travelport agreement in July 2026 covering both EDIFACT and NDC content in Smartpoint and TripServices.

NDC

EgyptAir launched an NDC agency booking platform and NDC API powered by TPConnects in June 2023. In July 2026 it deployed IATA NDC 24.4 in production on the TPConnects Astra platform, the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to do so, and its July 2026 Travelport agreement adds NDC content for Travelport-connected agencies.

Direct channels

Travel agencies can register for the EGYPTAIR NDC booking portal to search, book, issue tickets, add ancillaries and handle after-sales. OTAs and agencies with their own B2B platforms can connect to EgyptAir NDC content by API.

Notes for travel agents

Travelport states that agencies keep EDIFACT access to EgyptAir content while NDC content is added as it becomes available, so check which channel carries the fares and ancillaries you need.

On ReservationHub

ReservationHub gives agencies GDS content from Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport plus NDC and low-cost channels in one platform. See the full list on our integrations page.

History of EgyptAir

EgyptAir was established in May 1932, one of the earliest airlines in Africa and the Middle East. According to the airline's own history, commercial flying began in August 1933 with a Spartan Cruiser on the Cairo to Alexandria route.

The company changed its name several times. During the Second World War the government took control and it became Misr Airlines, then MisrAir in 1946. In 1960 MisrAir merged with Syrian Airlines to form United Arab Airlines, which introduced Comet 4C jets and later Boeing 707s. The two airlines separated again in 1971, when the Egyptian carrier took the EGYPTAIR name.

A presidential decree in July 2002 turned EgyptAir into a holding company with subsidiaries covering the airline, maintenance, ground services, in-flight services, cargo and other businesses. In July 2008 EgyptAir joined Star Alliance, becoming its first member based in North Africa and the Middle East.

The airline is now renewing its fleet. In February 2026 it took delivery of the first of 16 Airbus A350-900s on order, and its chairman said 12 new aircraft would arrive during 2026 as part of a programme of 34 deliveries by 2031.

Milestones

  1. 1932Established in May as Egypt's national airline.
  2. 1933Commercial operations begin with a Cairo to Alexandria service.
  3. 1960MisrAir merges with Syrian Airlines to form United Arab Airlines.
  4. 1971The Egyptian and Syrian carriers separate and the EGYPTAIR name is adopted.
  5. 2002Becomes a holding company by presidential decree.
  6. 2008Joins Star Alliance in July.
  7. 2023Launches an NDC agency booking platform and NDC API powered by TPConnects.
  8. 2026First Airbus A350-900 delivered in February; NDC 24.4 goes live in July; long-term EDIFACT and NDC agreement with Travelport.

Fleet

Airbus A350-900 Boeing 787-9 Boeing 777-300 Airbus A330-300 Airbus A321neo Airbus A320neo Boeing 737-800 Airbus A330-200P2F (EgyptAir Cargo)

Aircraft types in service as of 2026

EgyptAir took its first Airbus A350-900 in February 2026, the first of 16 on order. At that point Airbus described its Airbus fleet as eight A320neos, seven A321neos and 11 A330 Family aircraft, including five A330-200P2F freighters. The airline's fleet page also lists the Boeing 787-9, 777-300 and 737-800.

EgyptAir's chairman said in February 2026 that 12 aircraft would be delivered during 2026 and 13 in 2027, within a renewal programme targeting 34 deliveries by 2031.

Network and hubs

EgyptAir runs a hub-and-spoke network from Cairo International Airport (CAI), linking Egypt with Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Star Alliance lists the airline as serving 84 airports in 58 countries, including domestic leisure points such as Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Luxor and Aswan.

AACO data based on 2024 schedules shows 226 average daily departures to 97 airports in 57 countries. As a Star Alliance member, EgyptAir connects at Cairo with partner networks, and the A350 is intended to support new non-stop routes to the US West Coast and North Asia.

EgyptAir: frequently asked questions

What are EgyptAir's IATA and ICAO codes?

EgyptAir uses the IATA airline code MS, which appears on its tickets and flight numbers. Its ICAO designator is MSR and its radio callsign is EGYPTAIR. EgyptAir Cargo and EgyptAir Express hold separate ICAO designators, MSX and MSE, in the FAA's list of contractions.

Is EgyptAir part of Star Alliance?

Yes. EgyptAir joined Star Alliance in July 2008 and was the alliance's first member based in North Africa and the Middle East. Members of its EGYPTAIR Plus programme can earn and redeem miles with Star Alliance partners, and status holders receive alliance benefits.

Does EgyptAir have NDC?

Yes. EgyptAir launched a TPConnects-powered NDC agency portal and API in June 2023, and in July 2026 it went live with IATA NDC 24.4 in production. Its July 2026 agreement with Travelport also adds EgyptAir NDC content for Travelport-connected agencies, alongside EDIFACT content.

How do travel agents book EgyptAir?

Agencies can book EgyptAir through GDSs such as Sabre, Amadeus and Travelport using traditional content. They can also register for the EgyptAir NDC agency portal, connect to its NDC API, or use Travelport's NDC content as it becomes available under the 2026 agreement.

What is EgyptAir's hub airport?

EgyptAir's hub is Cairo International Airport (CAI). Its network is built around connections in Cairo, linking domestic points such as Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh with destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.

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Sources

  1. EgyptAir — Story (company history)
  2. EgyptAir — EGYPTAIR Group
  3. EgyptAir — Fleet
  4. Star Alliance — Member airline details: EgyptAir
  5. Star Alliance — History
  6. Airbus — EGYPTAIR takes delivery of its first of 16 A350-900 aircraft (February 2026)
  7. ATTA — EgyptAir to add 12 aircraft in 2026 (February 2026)
  8. Travelport — Long-term agreement with EGYPTAIR adding NDC content alongside EDIFACT distribution (July 2026)
  9. TPConnects — TPConnects powers EgyptAir's NDC offer and order management solution (June 2023)
  10. Travolution — EGYPTAIR becomes first carrier in Middle East and Africa to deploy IATA NDC 24.4 (July 2026)
  11. Travolution — Sabre and EgyptAir sign distribution agreement (June 2012)
  12. North Africa Post — EgyptAir partners with Amadeus (May 2023)
  13. Cairo Governorate — Egyptian Cabinet denies flag carrier privatised (2020)
  14. AACO — Member airlines: EgyptAir
  15. IATA — Airline and location code search
  16. FAA — JO 7340.2N Contractions (ICAO three-letter designators and telephony)

Profile updated by the ReservationHub team. Airline details change: confirm schedules, fares and policies with the airline before booking. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.