My Middle East adventure continues. If you’re wondering how I reached Abu Dhabi, that story awaits in Part 1. This chapter dives into exploring more corners of the Middle East , a region that never stops surprising.

The history of Abu Dhabi dates back more than 3,000 years, when the first coastal communities were established. While inland settlements relied heavily on oasis agriculture and a nomadic way of life, coastal communities were engaged in fishing, herding, and trade. For centuries, Abu Dhabi’s economy was based mainly on pearling, fishing, and limited regional commerce.

In 1958, vast offshore oil reserves were discovered. Just four years later, the first barrels of oil were exported, transforming Abu Dhabi’s fortunes almost overnight. Revenue from oil enabled rapid development of infrastructure, healthcare, education, and housing, laying the foundations of the modern emirate.

Today, Abu Dhabi is known for its stability, wealth, and strategic influence in the region. Despite rapid modernisation, the emirate places strong emphasis on preserving its heritage, traditions, and Bedouin values. While oil remains an important pillar of the economy, Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in diversification, culture, and tourism. Landmarks such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, and Masdar City reflect its ambition to blend tradition with innovation.

Amid the city’s towering skyscrapers stands a modest “desert castle” - Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest and most historically significant building in Abu Dhabi. Originally constructed around 1761 as a simple watchtower to protect a vital freshwater well, it later expanded into a fort and eventually a palace, serving as the residence of the ruling Al Nahyan family.

Built from coral stone, sea rock, sand, and palm timber, materials well suited to the Gulf climate, Qasr Al Hosn witnessed Abu Dhabi’s transformation from a small pearling settlement into the capital of a modern state. Today, surrounded by gleaming high-rises, it stands as an oasis of tradition amid a sea of modernity.

I woke up earlier today. After breakfast, I packed my suitcase and checked out of the hotel. The bus stop is near the hotel, and after a short walk I was already there. The stop was busy with passengers. Most of them were waiting for a bus, which arrived thick and fast, while some were waiting for a taxi. Among the people there was a taxi tout offering me a lift to the airport and two policemen who were checking documents of some Asian passengers. When asked, they showed the policemen a credit-card-sized document, presumably a residence permit or a similar form of identification.

The A2 bus arrived on time, and I quickly boarded it. The fare was 4 AED. There were only five bus stops along the route: the first ones within the city were close to each other, while after leaving the city limits the gaps between stops became much larger. It took 43 minutes to reach the airport, located approximately 30 km from the city centre.

The check-in for my flight is in Zone F, desks F11-F13 and it is already open. As I checked in online yesterday, I go to Desk 12, designated for passengers who have completed web check-in. I then proceed to the departure hall, passing through boarding pass verification, passport control, where I receive an oval green exit stamp (a blue one is given on arrival), and security screening. All these steps are completed within a few minutes.

The gate is scheduled to be announced at 10:50, so I still have some time and look for a café. There are several cafés located on both Level 0 and Level +1. I choose Level +1, from where I have a panoramic view of the duty-free area. I order a large latte (26 AED) and decide to skip the croissants (around 20 AED) and sandwiches (around 40 AED).

A few minutes after 10:50, the gate is assigned: A2. I slowly finish my coffee and head to the pier where the A gates are located. I take a seat and watch passers-by while waiting for boarding to begin.

The aircraft is already parked in front of the terminal building. The 14-year-old Airbus A320-232, registered as A7-AHS, has just completed a short sector from Doha to Abu Dhabi as flight QR1044, landing at 10:48.

It takes approximately 15 minutes before boarding is announced. First, business class passengers are invited to board, followed by passengers in Group 1. As I am in Group 2, I wait a few more minutes. Then boarding for Group 2 is announced. After my boarding pass is scanned, the gate agent tears off the smaller portion and hands back the longer one. I then proceed to the aircraft via the airbridge. Inside, I take my assigned seat 18E.

At 12:05, boarding is completed and a safety demonstration featuring US comedian Kevin Hart is shown. The safety video highlights top Qatar Airways destinations such as Nairobi, Paris, New York, and Sydney, and is set in a humorous, over-the-top Qatar-themed style. Through funny scenes, the safety instructions are effectively conveyed to passengers. The spoken language is English, with Arabic subtitles.

At 12:23, pushback is initiated and we taxi to the runway threshold. The taxi takes several minutes, but eventually we line up for departure. At 12:39, we are airborne, heading for the Qatari capital. The cabin interior is clean and pleasant. The overall palette of the cabin interior is light and airy neutral grey, while fabric upholstery is burgundy/maroon. Each passengers had a touchscreen in front of.

Once we reach cruising altitude, the diverse cabin crew distributes refreshing wipes, followed later by the in-flight service. It consists of two small pieces of pita bread (pleasantly warm), a selection of three snacks: beetroot hummus, potato salad, sumac labneh and a 200 ml bottle of orange drink. All the snacks are enjoyable, with the beetroot hummus being my favourite. The orange drink tastes a bit artificial to me, but the warm pita bread is a very nice surprise.

The flight itself is short, and at 12:57 we begin our descent. The flight path is straightforward, taking us over a part of the Persian Gulf shared by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, which can be monitored on the seat screens. Apart from the flight map, the system offers a wide selection of movies, music channels, and games, but there is simply not enough time to explore all these options.

At 13:07, the captain announces that we will be landing in a few minutes, and we make our final approach to Hamad International Airport in Doha, where we touch down at 13:23. Once on the ground, the cabin crew welcomes us to Qatar Airport - the gateway to the world.

During taxiing to the final parking position, gate information is displayed for passengers who will be continuing their journey within the next hour or so.

After disembarking via the airbridge, I follow the signs to the baggage reclaim area. From there, passengers can either walk or take the train, which is out of service today. As a result, the only option is to walk, and it takes about 10 minutes to reach passport control.

The queue here is massive, and it appears that some immigration officers are finishing their shifts, reducing overall capacity. After a 30-minute wait, it is finally my turn. Once again, I do not require any prior visa arrangements. As usual, my photo is taken along with the fingerprints of my right hand. My passport is then stamped and a label with a barcode is attached. The label reads: valid until 2026-04-10.

Before reaching the baggage reclaim area, my hand luggage is scanned, which is a quick process. I check the assigned belt on the display screens and proceed to baggage reclaim Belt 6 to be reunited with my bag. As expected, my bag has already arrived, and I collect it without delay.

While passing through customs, I am directed by a customs officer to a separate area, presumably for a more detailed check. At a free desk, another customs officer scans my luggage tag, checks my departure airport, responds with “OK,” and points me toward the exit.

I then follow the signs to the metro station located in the adjacent building, which is connected to the main terminal. At the ticket desk, I buy a weekly travel card (40 QAR) and take the Red Line to West Bay station, where I will be staying for the next several days.

LF: 98 %

Distance: 325 kms (175 nm)

Departure time (scheduled/actual): 12:20/12:39 (local time at the departure airport)

Arrival time (scheduled/actual): 12:30/12:23 (local time at the arrival airport)

Flight duration (scheduled/actual): 1h 10 min/0 h 44 min

Doha’s origins date back to the 18th century, when it began as a small fishing and pearling village. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, pearl diving brought relative prosperity, until the Great Depression and the rise of cultured pearls caused severe economic hardship. Like many countries in the Gulf region, Qatar has transformed from a modest port town into a thriving metropolis, first fuelled by oil and later by vast natural gas wealth.

Looking out of my hotel window on the 34th floor, it is hard to believe that the West Bay area below was flat, undeveloped land just some 40 years ago. Today, West Bay best represents the modern and dynamic side of Doha. The district is known for its impressive skyline of high-rise towers, offices, hotels, and luxury residences. It is also popular for its waterfront setting, especially along the Corniche, which is perfect for walking, jogging, and enjoying panoramic city views.

I truly enjoy my leisure time in West Bay. The sunny weather is ideal for relaxing, swimming in the pool, and simply slowing down. My hotel offers everything I need: an outdoor swimming pool, a sun terrace, a central location, and a view that any urban enthusiast would appreciate.

When the sun goes down, the area takes on a completely different character. The tall buildings light up with millions of LEDs, each tower displaying its own unique pattern. Well-kept streets, parks, and public spaces invite residents and tourists alike to enjoy the city at night. For a different perspective, it is possible to take a boat across the bay to the opposite shore, where traditional Doha can be explored, including the famous Souq Waqif.

To reach the souq, I take the Doha Metro. Although Club Club is available, I travel in economy. I start on the Red Line and change at Msheireb station to the Gold Line, which takes me directly to Souq Waqif. After navigating a maze of underground corridors, I finally emerge at the entrance of the market.

Souq Waqif is a historic marketplace in the heart of Doha, with origins dating back more than 100 years. It originally served as a trading hub where Bedouins sold livestock, spices, and everyday goods near the banks of Wadi Musheireb. In the early 2000s, the souq was carefully restored to preserve its traditional Qatari architecture after years of modernization.

Today, its narrow alleys, mud-brick buildings, and wooden beams reflect Qatar’s past, while its shops, cafés, and restaurants make it a lively cultural landmark blending history, daily life, and tourism.

North of Doha lies Lusail, a modern, master-planned city designed as a smart and sustainable urban centre. With advanced infrastructure, contemporary architecture, and ambitious development projects, Lusail represents Qatar’s vision for the future and stands in striking contrast to the historic character of places like Souq Waqif.

My time in Doha has come to an end, and I check out around 11 a.m. It is only a short walk to the nearest Red Line metro station, West Bay. From there, it is just seven stops to the airport, and the journey takes under 20 minutes.

The metro station is connected to the terminal building by a covered, air-conditioned passage. Just before reaching the check-in area, I am asked by an airport worker to present my ticket. Everything is in order. I then proceed downstairs to the check-in area located on Level +1.

I check the screen to find the check-in zone for my flight - Zone 9. It is not far from where I am, and there is a short queue at the four desks assigned to flight MS936. I place my luggage on the scale and hand my passport to the check-in agent. “May I also see your ticket, sir?” asks the lady behind the counter. I hand her the printed ticket. After a while, she asks how long I will be staying in Egypt. I reply, “Four days.” She then asks what I will be doing next. I confirm that I am returning to Warsaw and show her the ticket when requested. Everything is fine. She informs me that my luggage is checked through to Aswan and that I should collect it there. She then takes my suitcase and attaches a green label reading “Transfer: International → Domestic.” As my bag disappears on the conveyor belt, I receive my passport back along with two boarding passes.

Next comes passport control. This time, I use an e-gate and have no problems at all - easy and quick. This is followed by security screening, which is also completed swiftly. Once airside, I check the departure gate for my flight. It is Gate B6, located in Pier B.

With some spare time, I browse through a few duty-free shops, but nothing really catches my attention. I then stop at a café for a small latte (15 QAR) and observe the usual airport scenes. The walls of Pier B are dark brown, and the dimmed lighting adds a sense of exclusivity and calm. Overall, I am impressed by Doha - its excellent infrastructure and ultra-modern, chic design. The airport is no exception.

At around the scheduled boarding time 13:20, the gate opens and passengers begin forming a queue. After a few minutes, I slowly move toward the gate, where my boarding pass is checked against my passport. “Your boarding zone is 3,” the agent says, circling the number 3 on my boarding pass.

I then proceed to the waiting area divided by boarding zones and take a seat in Zone 3, as indicated on my boarding pass. The aircraft is already parked at the terminal. Flight MS935 has just arrived from Cairo at 13:21, slightly delayed compared to its scheduled arrival time of 13:00.

A few minutes before 14:00, boarding is announced. First, business class passengers are called, followed by Zones 1 and 2, and then the remaining zones.

Eventually, passengers in Zone 3 are called. Before entering the jet bridge, my boarding pass is checked once again, and I then proceed toward the aircraft. Inside, I am greeted by a mixed-gender cabin crew of various ages and take my assigned seat, 21A, which is in the second row of the economy cabin. I find this unusual, as the last row of the business class cabin is Row 11.

The cabin interior shows visible signs of wear and tear, and the fabric upholstery, featuring a dark blue background with geometric light and pale blue patterns, could use some cleaning. The seat configuration in the economy cabin is the standard 3–3, while business class features a 2–2 layout with wider seats and more legroom. Although legroom in economy is more limited, it is perfectly adequate by my standards.

Boarding is completed at 14:21. Today, I am lucky, as the seat next to me is unoccupied, giving me a bit more personal space to share with my fellow passenger in seat 21A. The cabin crew then presents the safety demonstration on the cabin screens, using hieroglyphics-like symbols to capture passengers’ attention. The demonstration is shown first in Arabic and then in English.

Pushback begins at 14:27, and we soon start taxiing toward the runway, taking off 12 minutes later. After departure, we make a U-turn and fly parallel to Qatar’s west coast. Near Ad-Dahirah, we turn left and continue northeast, passing Manama and then Ad-Dammam, before continuing west over the vast territory of Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the cabin crew distribute headsets and later a landing card for non-Egyptian citizens. For me, this feels like a return to the pre-electronic era, when many countries required passengers to complete such forms. I find it a bit odd, as all this information was already provided during the online tourist visa application (USD 25).

After about a quarter of an hour, a cabin crew member appears at seat 21C and asks my fellow passenger whether he has ordered a special meal. He denies it, while I confirm that it was me who ordered the seafood meal for today’s flight. The crew member asks for my boarding pass (with SFML printed on it) and, after verification, hands me my meal.

Today’s meal is sponsored by salmon. It includes a multigrain bun, a 10-gram portion of light margarine with 55% fat content, a starter of smoked salmon chunks on potato salad, a main course of salmon steak in tomato sauce with rice and pieces of carrot and broccoli, and a fruit salad consisting of cubes of pitahaya, two types of melon, pineapple, and a single piece of strawberry. Overall, it is very pleasant. Later the cabin crew offers water, soft drinks, coffee and tea. I go for still water and a cup of tea.

The flight itself is uneventful. I mostly watch the passing landscape and listen to music through the aircraft’s audio channels. A movie is displayed on the screen (with its soundtrack available on audio channel 1), but it does not interest me much. Frankly, I would prefer a moving map instead of a movie, but that is fine. Later, when the movie is finished, the displays show the flight map.

Meanwhile, we pass over Saudi Arabia, flying near the city of Hail, then turning northwest and later west, crossing the Gulf of Aqaba and entering Egyptian airspace near the town of Nuweiba. At 17:25 we start our descent, then pass close to Ras Sudr at the Gulf of Suez before approaching Cairo over the New Administrative Capital and landing at Cairo International Airport. After taxiing, we park at a remote stand (F32) and disembark via stairs onto buses, which take us to the terminal building.

Today’s flight was operated by a 16-year-old Boeing 737-866, registered as SU-GDC. The bus ride to the terminal takes approximately five minutes, and we are dropped off at the international arrivals hall.

LF: 80 %

Distance: 2054 kms (1109 nm)

Departure time (scheduled/actual): 14:00/14:39 (local time at the departure airport)

Arrival time (scheduled/actual): 16:35/16:53 (local time at the arrival airport)

Flight duration (scheduled/actual): 3h 35 min/3 h 14 min

Inside the terminal building, I follow the signs for domestic flights connection and then for domestic departures. Before entering the domestic departure area, I need to stop at the immigration desk to complete passport control. When I place my passport on the counter, an immigration officer informs me, “You need to pay for a visa.” I reply that I already have one and start searching for my visa printouts in my backpack. “No, you don’t need it,” he says. “I already have it in the system.” Soon, my passport is stamped and returned to me.

I go one level up and check which gate my flight departs from: Gate F32. Then I walk through an endless corridor leading, presumably, to the domestic departure hall. The corridor finally ends. Before entering the domestic departure area, I need to complete a security check. The queue is short; most of the passengers are foreigners travelling on their last domestic sector. Five minutes later, I am already on the other side.

The interior feels very 1990s. Apart from the retro vibe, there are also two cafés. In one of them, I order a bottle of soda water and a double espresso (400 EGP) and take a seat. At the next table, there is a nuclear family from Costa Rica travelling to Luxor, and at another, a small group of Japanese tourists. A very international jet set indeed!

The flight is already delayed until 19:40. Boarding does not start until 19:20 at gate F32, located on the ground level. There are already many passengers, and it is difficult to find a free seat. Finally, boarding is announced. First, all business-class passengers are called, followed by passengers from economy class.

After scanning my boarding card, I hop on a bus, which takes me to an aircraft parked at a remote stand. The aircraft, painted in a Euro-white livery, is a 15.7-year-old Boeing 737-85R with registration number of SU-GGA.

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Inside, I am greeted by a mixed-gender cabin crew and proceed to my assigned seat, passing through the business-class cabin with a 2+2 seating arrangement. My assigned seat is 24A, which turns out to be the fifth row in the economy cabin, as the numbering of economy seats starts from row 20.

At 19:57, boarding is completed, and the cabin crew stand by for a safety demonstration conducted in Arabic and later in English. At 20:00, pushback starts, and we head toward the runway. Sixteen minutes later, we finally take off. Shortly after liftoff, we turn right, heading south.

In the meantime, we reach cruising altitude, and the cabin crew commence onboard service. Each passenger in economy class receives a 25-g pack of mini pretzels (labelled as “crackers”) and a 330-ml bottle of still water.

Our initial flight path passes over uninhabited Egyptian territory, and I cannot see any lights on the ground. Later, as we approach the city of Qena, the lights appear, separated by the black ribbon of the Nile River, which divides the city. After passing Qena, we fly over Luxor and Edfu. At 20:55, we start our descent and continue south over Kom Ombo. Shortly afterwards, we make our final approach into Aswan Airport, where we land at 21:08.

After a short taxi, we park some distance from the terminal building. Following disembarkation via attached stairs, we are bussed to the domestic arrivals area. Inside the terminal, I proceed to baggage belt 3. When almost all the bags have been delivered, I start to worry that my suitcase has not arrived. I must look concerned, as an airport staff member asks whether my journey started in Cairo or outside Egypt. I confirm the latter. “Then you need to go to the international arrivals area, located behind the domestic one,” he says. I thank him and proceed there. A customs officer asks to see my passport and, while checking it, asks where I am travelling from. I reply, “Doha.” He returns my passport and lets me enter the international arrivals area, where my suitcase is already circling on the conveyor belt.

After collecting my bag, my luggage is screened. I then look for the driver of my pre-ordered taxi, which takes me to my hotel.

LF: 100 %

Distance: 699 kms (377 nm)

Departure time (scheduled/actual): 19:15/20:16 (local time at the departure airport)

Arrival time (scheduled/actual): 20:40/21:08 (local time at the arrival airport)

Flight duration (scheduled/actual): 1h 25 min/0 h 52 min

Aswan is a city in southern Egypt, located on the eastern bank of the Nile River and surrounded by desert landscapes. It has a long history as a trading hub with Nubia and as a centre for granite quarrying in ancient Egypt. The city is famous for landmarks such as the Aswan High Dam, the Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk, as well as Elephantine Island and nearby Nubian villages that reflect the region’s unique cultural heritage. Today, Aswan is a popular tourist destination, offering boat trips on the Nile, views of traditional feluccas, and excursions to historic sites like Abu Simbel.

The riverside promenade is a popular place for an evening walk, where people come to enjoy the sunset and the calm atmosphere of the Nile. Although the walk should be relaxing, it is often disturbed by street vendors and touts trying to sell souvenirs, boat rides, or tours. They can be very persistent and sometimes follow tourists for a long time, which makes the promenade less peaceful and can cause discomfort or stress. Ignoring the sellers is often the only way to continue the walk in peace. Despite this problem, Aswan’s scenic river views, relaxed pace, and mix of ancient and modern attractions make it one of Egypt’s most charming cities.

This was the main reason why I visited Egypt. Many months ago, I visited Egypt for the first time. It was a well-organized escorted tour from Cairo down to Aswan and back. During the trip, I learned a lot about the history of ancient Egypt, visited many historical sites located along the Nile River, and of course enjoyed a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan. At that time, the trip to Abu Simbel was optional and, due to its location near the border with Sudan, it was only possible to get there by plane, which was too expensive for me. Finally, the time has come, and I am commencing my long-planned adventure to Abu Simbel.

I booked an escorted tour through an online travel agency. Before I could travel, I had to provide some personal information for the organizer, including a scan of my passport photo page, which was required to pass the checkpoints.

At around 4 a.m., we leave the hotel and soon meet other tourists to continue the journey together. There are 8 of us in the bus: an UK couple from UK, a young couple from Spain, two French girls and a Belgian guy. We then drive to a checkpoint, where all vehicles gather before departing in an organized convoy. Halfway through the trip, we stop for a short break. Along the road, the landscape is typically desert-like, with vast open spaces, sand, and rocky terrain stretching to the horizon.

After a four-hour drive, we arrive at Abu Simbel. We then follow our guide and learn about the history of the temples, their construction, and their relocation in the 1960s due to the building of the Aswan High Dam. I learn, Abu Simbel is home to two rock-cut temples, built close to each other on the banks of Lake Nasser in southern Egypt. They were constructed together during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II to honour both the king and his beloved wife, showing both royal power and the queen’s importance.

The Great Temple of Ramesses II is dedicated to the pharaoh himself and to the gods Amun-Ra, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah. Its massive façade, guarded by four colossal statues over 20 meters high, was designed to demonstrate Egypt’s power and impress visitors from the south. Inside, a long hall leads to the sanctuary, with walls covered in detailed reliefs showing battles, rituals, and offerings to the gods. In the innermost chamber, statues of the deities and the deified Ramesses II can be seen. Twice a year, sunlight reaches the sanctuary, illuminating the statues and creating a spectacular natural event.

The Smaller Temple of Nefertari stands beside the Great Temple and is dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Its façade features six statues, including two of Nefertari shown at the same size as Ramesses II, which was very unusual in ancient Egypt. Inside, the walls are richly decorated with colourful reliefs and hieroglyphs, showing the queen making offerings and being welcomed by the gods. Although smaller than the Great Temple, its interior is elegant and impressive, emphasizing Nefertari’s high status.

Together, the two temples symbolize royal authority, divine protection, and the close bond between Ramesses II and his queen, making Abu Simbel one of Egypt’s most remarkable and unforgettable tourist destinations.

I pre-booked my taxi for 03:15, right in the middle of the night. It is still dark outside, with almost no traffic and no pedestrians. I swiftly complete my check-out and wait for the driver, who turns up right on time. The journey to the airport takes approximately 25 minutes and passes through several residential areas. There are a few people on the streets, and some shops and a pharmacy are already open. The driver, who occasionally watches videos on his mobile phone—often slows down to negotiate speed bumps. After passing the campus of Aswan University, we continue along a side road that leads directly to the airport. At the airport entrance, drivers collect a card (presumably returned upon departure), and he drops me off in front of the terminal building.

At the entrance, I am asked to show my ticket. I then go through a full security check before entering the check-in area. Check-in is already open at desk 4 for business class and desks 5 and 6 for economy class. There is a short queue, and within a few minutes I complete the process: my bag is tagged to CAI and I receive my boarding card. I then pass through another security check before being allowed into the departure hall of Aswan Airport.

All shops are still closed. Only one café-bar is open, and it seems to be quite popular this morning. I order a double espresso (160 EGP) for a much-needed caffeine boost after the very early wake-up.

At 04:15, airport staff announce boarding for flight MS81 at gate 3. After my boarding card is checked, I proceed to one of two parked buses, which soon takes us to the aircraft.

Today’s flight is operated by a 16-year-old Boeing 737-866 (registered as SU-GEA), which landed earlier today at 00:02 (scheduled arrival time: 23:25) as flight MS80 from Cairo. The aircraft is painted in EgyptAir’s standard livery, featuring a stylised image of the god Horus on the tail.

After climbing the stairs into the cabin, I am greeted by an all-female cabin crew and make my way to my assigned seat, 25K. On the way, I pass through the business-class cabin, arranged in a 2+2 layout. The light blue seat fabrics contrast nicely with the light brown elements of the cabin, creating a calm and elegant atmosphere. I am really tempted to settle into one of these seats instead of sitting behind the curtain, but I tell myself, “Maybe next time 😉.”

Today’s flight is not busy; I estimate that about half of the seats remain unoccupied. At 04:37, boarding is completed, and the cabin crew prepare the cabin for departure, including a safety demonstration shown on the cabin screens, first in Arabic and later in English. In the meantime, we taxi toward the threshold of the runway, and soon we are airborne, heading north.

The cabin interior (like on the previous flight) feels dated, with visible signs of wear and tear. Legroom, however, is adequate by my standards.

Once the fasten-seat-belt signs are switched off, the cabin crew begin the onboard service, which is identical to that on my previous flight.

Our flight path follows the meandering Nile River. After passing cities of Asyut and Faiyum, we continue over the new districts of New Cairo before touching down at Cairo International Airport.

After a short taxi, we park at a remote stand F3. Once the aircraft comes to a complete stop, the seatbelt signs are switched off and the cabin screens display the message: “Thank you for flying EgyptAir.” We then disembark and are taken by bus to the domestic terminal.

Inside the terminal, I proceed to baggage belt 7, where I collect my luggage. With this flight completed, I still have more than five hours to wait before my next connection to Warsaw.

LF: 50%

Distance: 699 kms (377 nm)

Departure time (scheduled/actual): 05:00/04:46 (local time at the departure airport)

Arrival time (scheduled/actual): 06:25/05:55 (local time at the arrival airport)

Flight duration (scheduled/actual): 1h 25 min/1 h 09 min

I find a quiet corner of the domestic arrivals area and settle down to read my book. Meanwhile, several domestic flights from Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh arrive. The terminal occasionally becomes busy, but once all the suitcases are collected, it empties again. This cycle repeats a few times until 9:00, when I leave the domestic arrivals area and head in search of the international departures section.

Fortunately, my flight to Warsaw departs from the same Terminal 3, which predominantly serves EgyptAir flights as well as Star Alliance airlines. After leaving the arrivals area, I am stopped by a hustler offering me a taxi. I politely decline and proceed to Level +1, designated for international departures.

Before I can even enter the check-in area, I have to stand in a zig-zag queue for a security screening. It takes about 20 minutes to pass the first security check, after which I finally enter the check-in hall. Check-in for flight LO150 is just about to open at desks ----, located opposite the security screening area.

Not all desks are open. At one desk, a check-in agent seems to be having trouble starting the system while speaking on the phone, presumably with technical support. Another agent is walking back and forth, so in the end only one check-in desk is operational. A queue quickly forms, and some passengers begin to notice the insufficient check-in capacity. Eventually, it is my turn. The check-in process takes only a few minutes. It is worth mentioning that online check-in is available; however, no boarding pass is issued, as it can only be collected at the airport check-in desk. In addition to the boarding pass (featuring the LOT logo), the check-in agent hands me a departure card, similar to the landing card distributed by the cabin crew during my flight from Doha to Cairo.

The next step is passport control. The queue is not long, but it moves slowly, as departure immigration procedures take time for each passenger. I use this opportunity to complete the departure card. Luckily, a new line opens nearby, and I quickly move there, effectively cutting the waiting time in half. Once all checks are completed and another stamp is added to my passport, I enter the airside departures area.

With still plenty of time before boarding, I browse the airport shops. In one of them, a shelf with local wine catches my attention. Eventually, I purchase a bottle of Egyptian red wine (USD 8), which I add to my small collection of wines from countries not typically known as wine producers.

I then slowly make my way to Gate H1, assigned to flight LO150 and located on the ground floor. The crowd at the gate gradually thickens as more passengers arrive. Boarding is soon announced via a general airport announcement in Arabic, English, and surprisingly Polish. Some passengers immediately form a queue, but I choose to remain seated until it subsides. I then proceed to Gates H1 and H2, located in a separate room.

At the entrance, my boarding pass is checked, followed by yet another security screening. I must admit that the number of security checks at Egyptian airports feels excessive, though I assume there is a reason for it. After the screening, my boarding pass is checked once again and cross-checked against my passport before I am directed to a bus. The bus is already crowded. Shortly after, the doors close and we head toward the aircraft parked at a remote stand.

Today’s flight is operated by a 4.5-year-old Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration SP-LVI, which arrived in Cairo the previous evening at 22:33 (scheduled arrival time: 22:30). On board, I am greeted by a mixed-gender cabin crew and proceed down to Row 4, located just behind the business class cabin. I take my assigned seat, 4D.

A few minutes later, the final (and largest) bus arrives with the remaining passengers. At 12:17, the cabin crew announces the completion of boarding and asks passengers to prepare for the safety demonstration, conducted in Polish and Arabic. This is followed by a pre-recorded message in Arabic. At 12:28, the pushback procedure begins, and shortly afterward we taxi toward the runway. It takes more than 10 minutes to reach the runway threshold and take off.

Today’s flight is completely full, including the business class cabin. The interior is clean and pleasant. Legroom is somewhat tight but manageable.

After reaching cruising altitude, the cabin crew begins the onboard service. Each passenger is offered a choice of a cheese or ham sandwich, along with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including coffee and tea. I opt for a ham sandwich, a glass of water, a cup of tea with lemon, and a glass of red wine.

After departing the Egyptian capital, we continue northwest, passing the coastal city of Alexandria, then flying over the Greek islands of Karpathos and Ikaria, followed by the Greek coastal city of Kavala.

The flight is generally uneventful, though on three occasions we encounter turbulence, prompting the captain to switch on the “fasten seat belt” sign. Each time, the sign is switched off after a few moments. I use the flight time to continue reading my book and browse through current issue of Kaleidoscope magazine.

After leaving Greek airspace, we continue over Sofia, crossing the Danube River near the Bulgarian town of Lom. Later, we pass over the Romanian city of Oradea, the Slovak city of Košice, and the Polish cities of Tarnów and Kielce. Over Błonie, near Warsaw, we make a U-turn before the final approach into Warsaw Airport.

After taxiing, we park at the terminal and disembark via an airbridge. I proceed to passport control, where I use the e-gate, which is quick and efficient. In the baggage reclaim area, I collect my luggage from belt 2 and then exit the terminal to catch a bus.

The temperature change has been a real shock. I’ve gone from a comfortable 25°C to a freezing -8°C almost overnight, as a cold front has swept across large parts of Poland. After nearly three weeks of travelling in milder climates, I had almost forgotten that negative temperatures are still very much a reality in some parts of the world. The sudden cold feels even more intense after weeks on the road, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly seasons can change, if you travel by air.

LF: 100 %

Distance: 2596 kms (1402 nm)

Departure time (scheduled/actual): 12:10/12:46 (local time at the departure airport)

Arrival time (scheduled/actual): 15:20/15:33 (local time at the arrival airport)

Flight duration (scheduled/actual): 4h 10 min/3 h 47 min