Is Egypt a long-haul flight?
The classification of Egypt as a long-haul destination depends significantly on your point of departure.
Egypt is a long-haul destination only from specific regions such as North America, East Asia, or Oceania, where flight durations exceed 6 hours and often go well beyond 10 or even 17 hours. However, from Europe or the Middle East, Egypt is considered a medium-haul or even short-haul destination, given the relatively short travel times.
So, referring to Egypt as a “long-haul destination” is only accurate from select regions—and not correct when traveling from Europe or the Middle East.
What defines a long-haul flight?
In aviation, flights are typically categorized by duration:
- Short-haul: Under 3 hours
- Medium-haul: 3 to 6 hours
- Long-haul: 6 to 12 hours
- Ultra-long-haul: Over 12 hours
Travelers and airlines benefit from these categorizations because they determine the expected duration of flights with corresponding amenities.
Flight durations to Egypt from various regions
Departure region |
Average flight duration to Egypt |
Classification |
North America |
10–12 hours |
Long-haul |
Europe |
4–6 hours |
Medium-haul |
Asia |
8–12 hours |
Long-haul |
Australia |
17–20 hours |
Ultra-long-haul |
Middle East |
2–4 hours |
Short to Medium-haul |
Note: Flight times remain approximate yet they will differ depending on departure airport and flight directions alongside stopover points.
Examples of flight times to Egypt
- New York City to Cairo: Approximately 10–11 hours (direct flights)
- London to Cairo: Approximately 4.5–5 hours (direct flights)
- Sydney to Cairo: Approximately 17–20 hours (with layovers)
- Dubai to Cairo: Approximately 3.5–4 hours (direct flights)
These examples illustrate how flight durations to Egypt can range from short to ultra-long-haul, depending on the starting point.
Preparing for a long-haul flight to Egypt
Here are some travel tips to improve your comfort during long-haul flights to Egypt:
- The process of staying hydrated should begin with adequate water intake both before as well as during the flight.
- Education tour operators should dedicate brief time intervals to pacing around the cabin to avoid blood circulation problems.
- Travel pillows alongside eye masks will help you achieve rest during flight time.
- Enter your journey equipped with books along with films and music for entertainment purposes.
- Select garments that fit loosely while wearing compression socks for better comfort.
The proper planning of your journey will help control the travel experience thus creating a positive travel experience in Egypt.