This was the first flight of an ambitious eight-flight journey spanning six days, taking me as far as Kuala Lumpur before looping back toward the UK. British Airways operates a twice-daily direct service between London Heathrow and Cairo, and given the airline’s recent struggles with IT meltdowns, service consistency, and an ever-increasing price tag, I was curious to see how the experience held up in 2025.
With low-cost carriers ramping up competition on similar-length routes, BA seems to be banking on its legacy and brand nostalgia rather than offering a modern, competitive product. Was this flight a throwback to the golden age of British Airways, or just another overpriced hop that had me questioning why I didn’t book an LCC instead?
Booking & Check-in – The British Airways IT Special
Booking the flight itself was simple enough, but logging into my Executive Club account was, as usual, a bit of a battle. The BA website seems to exist in two parallel dimensions—depending on how you navigate to a page, you’re either met with a slightly updated, modern(ish) layout or a clunky relic from the early 2000s. No rhyme or reason, just a chaotic mix of old and new.
The app was another struggle. It kept trying to push me onto the website, which then (like the website) refused to load properly especially if I was using Apple’s Private Relay or a VPN. When I was logged in, it didn’t have my bookings saved (although it did on web). For a major airline, this kind of tech headache is embarrassing. At this point, BA would probably be better off shutting down entirely for a couple of weeks and rebuilding its IT systems from the ground up. It’s hard to imagine them making it any worse.
Once I’d navigated through the digital minefield, check-in was fairly smooth—although, as expected, there were no seat selection perks unless I wanted to pay extra.
The Heathrow Terminal 5 Experience
I arrived at Heathrow Terminal 5 around 6 a.m., and while it was already buzzing with activity, it never felt overwhelming. T5 is a real asset for BA—bright, airy, and well laid out, even if it does get packed later in the morning.
Finding my way to the check-in counter was easy, thanks to a staffed information booth where an agent greeted me with a smile and confirmed I needed to have my visa documents checked before heading to the gate. Security was an absolute dream. No need to remove shoes or unpack bags, just a quick walk-through scan, and I was airside in under three minutes.
By 8:30 a.m., the terminal was noticeably more chaotic, with queues for the lounges piling up and restaurants filling quickly. While T5 offers plenty of shopping and dining options, it doesn’t take much for the place to feel stressful.
Plaza Premium Lounge – A Decent Pre-Flight Stop
Since I was flying economy, lounge access wasn’t included, but thanks to Priority Pass, I popped into the Plaza Premium Lounge by A Gates, conveniently located right outside my departure gate.
The lounge was fairly busy but still had available seating. The open-air design, common in T5 lounges, meant that even when it wasn’t packed, the space never felt particularly peaceful. Still, it was a comfortable enough spot to grab breakfast and get some work done.
Food-wise, there was a solid spread of western breakfast options. The pastries were fresh, but the sausages were overcooked and rubbery. Overall, it was perfectly fine for a third-party lounge, but nothing special.
Would I recommend it? Only if you get in for free with a credit card or lounge membership. Otherwise, for what they charge, you might be better off grabbing breakfast at one of the terminal restaurants.
Boarding – A Bit of a Mess
Boarding kicked off roughly on time, but the execution was questionable. Despite the gate area not being particularly crowded, the agents resorted to yelling out the first three groups multiple times before getting things moving.
Then came the classic “all remaining passengers” announcement. This should have meant everyone else could board, but the gate agent at the queue either didn’t hear or didn’t care, turning people away while still claiming it was only for groups 1-3. A solid eight minutes later, the rest of us were finally allowed to shuffle through, only to be met with another ten-minute wait on the jet bridge as everyone attempted to squeeze onboard.
For an airline positioning itself as a premium carrier, this was hardly an improvement over a low-cost airline boarding experience. The only upside? At least we weren’t bused to the aircraft.
The Cabin & Seat – Not Bad, Actually
Once onboard, the cabin crew were busy setting up for departure rather than offering a warm welcome—not a huge deal, but something budget carriers like Wizz Air have been noticeably better at lately.
The seat itself was a pleasant surprise. Clean, comfortable, and featuring an adjustable headrest, it felt more premium than I expected. The real question was whether it would remain comfortable for the five-hour journey. The material didn’t seem particularly breathable, which had me wondering if I’d be roasting by the halfway mark.
Each seat had one USB-A and one USB-C charging port on the seatback, but oddly, the power wasn’t activated until we were past 10,000 feet. No in-flight entertainment screens, just the essentials: a safety card, sick bag, and a buy-on-board menu.
Service & Dining – A Small, Unexpected Perk
I wasn’t expecting any food, so I was pleasantly surprised when a snack box appeared. Inside was a small cheese salad wrap, a mini Cadbury chocolate, and some Mini Cheddars. Alongside this, tea, coffee, and alcoholic drinks were available.
It wasn’t a huge meal, but it helped bridge the gap between breakfast and dinner, given our 5 p.m. local arrival in Cairo. I couldn’t help though feel a little like a child on a school trip with a packed lunch rather than a paying customer on a flight. Cabin crew passed through two or three times with drinks and were proactive with trash collection, which kept things tidy.
Comfort & In-Flight Atmosphere
The seat was comfortable enough, though I never figured out if it reclined. Thankfully, the middle seat was empty, giving me some extra space to stretch out.
The cabin was mostly quiet—no rowdy passengers, just a mix of business travelers, retirees, and Egyptians returning home. The flight itself was smooth once we cleared some bumps over the Channel and the Alps.
One downside was the toilet situation. For most of the flight, there was a four-to-five-person queue near the rear of the cabin, which meant a constant flow of people standing near my seat. It wasn’t clear if the front lavatory was off-limits to economy passengers, but the setup didn’t seem sufficient for the number of passengers onboard.
Arrival in Cairo – Surprisingly Smooth
After a scenic descent over the Egyptian desert, we touched down right on time with no delays or holding patterns. Deplaning was quick, with a jet bridge leading us straight into the terminal.
I didn’t check any bags, and thanks to a hotel transfer service that I was surprised to find included a meet-and-greet at immigration, I was whisked through visa processing and aircrew immigration in record time. No hassle, no long queues—an excellent start to my stay in Cairo.
Final Thoughts – Was It Worth It?
Before I close, I should make clear that I really am rooting for British Airways overall- but my job is to give facts and personal opinions on flights and travel. For an economy flight with BA, this was… fine. The seat was comfortable, the flight was smooth, and the inclusion of a snack box was a welcome surprise. But was it worth the price over an LCC? I’m not convinced. And most of my satisfaction with the flight comes from low-expectations rather than any stand-out experience. Given BA’s illustrious history and former glory it’s actually a little sad that I (any many others) now have fairly low expectations of the country’s Flag Carrier.
The boarding experience was disorganized, the toilet situation wasn’t ideal, and the overall value for money didn’t feel particularly strong. If I were traveling with checked baggage, then perhaps BA would make more sense compared to an LCC with added fees, but otherwise? I wouldn’t go out of my way to book them again.
Would I fly this again? Maybe, if there were no better options.
Best part: Smooth flight, decent legroom, snack box included.
Worst part: Chaotic boarding, IT Infrastructure, App and constant toilet queues.
