NYCFlyer From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1381 posts, RR: 10 Posted (7 years 12 months 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 3214 times:
This post is obviously just my opinion, but having flown on most Middle Eastern carriers, MEA never, ever ceases to impress me. I have consistently had an excellent experience with them, which is rare for me on a single airline.
I've flown them on five segments in the last two years (BEY-CDG, AMM-BEY twice, LCA-BEY, BEY-CAI). I am comparing them to RJ, KU, LY, MS, GF, and IY, which I have also flown. I have never flown EK or SV.
-They fly A321s on all their short-haul flights; even really short routes like LCA and AMM. The 321 is my favorite narrow-body; long and spacious. 330s on longer routes.
-PTVs in every coach seat
-The cabin interiors are clean, bright and colorful, in blue and turquoise.
-They serve lunch in coach on hour long flights (BEY-CAI), and ample snacks on the shorter routes
-The f.a.'s look very sharp in their very stylish uniforms - and they're generally young, female, and attractive
-BEY airport is an excellent and modern airport - the best of the non-Gulf Arab cities, and even better than some Gulf Arab cities (AUH, KWI)
In general, MEA has a higher quality of service and professionalism compared to any other regional carrier I've experienced. So this post is just a tribute to MEA. They work hard and produce an outstanding product. May they expand and prosper, and bring more of the world to and from Beirut.
EK156 From United Arab Emirates, joined May 2005, 765 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (7 years 12 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 3171 times:
Amen!
Hmmm.... I tried to post only the word Amen but the server told me it is too short of a message to post!!! So I will say a very big huge gigantic enormous Amen.... lol
FlyAUA From Austria, joined May 2005, 4604 posts, RR: 57 Reply 2, posted (7 years 12 months 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 3104 times:
They are a very good airline indeed, but I don't know if I would go as far as to call them "the best" in the middle east. That's a very heavy label you're giving them ya know
NYCFlyer From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1381 posts, RR: 10 Reply 4, posted (7 years 12 months 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 3082 times:
Quoting AirxLiban (Reply 3): well they're definitely my favourite airline! glad to hear that you have been enjoying your trips on MEA. Did you do that TLV-LCA-BEY-CAI routing?
I just did! Thanks to your recommendation. And flying on MEA two days ago was what confirmed to me how much I like them. Had no problems on the TLV-LCA-BEY-CAI routing, except that I had to use two separate tickets, so MEA wouldn't know I was in Israel. In LCA, I went through immigration and checked in at the main check-in area, not the transit area, so they wouldn't ask me where I came from. But it was great. Go MEA.
BrightCedars From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 1279 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (7 years 12 months 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 3045 times:
I would definitely agree on MEA having the best product among Near East carriers (CY, LY, ME, MS, RB) but I don't think it extends to Middle East domination once you include the likes of EK, EY and QR.
However I have to say that the staff is not always that friendly and despite the facts that the fleet is more modern, that personal entertainment is at every seat, and that smoking is finally a thing of the past, the aircraft interiors (particularly the seats) feel rather phony.
I'm basing this on a history of flights with the carrier spreading on the past 4 years including LHR-BEY return, several CDG-BEY returns and a BEY-FRA one-way earlier this year.
They sure have put a good product in place but they still lack the attention of truly sensitive airlines like CX or SQ. I can't compare with EK, EY & QR but I'd assume they are ranging from a bit to much better than ME.
Dr.DTW From United States of America, joined May 2000, 289 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 2964 times:
MEA is indeed a success story, having survived the Lebanese civil war and building itself up to the great carrier it is today. I admire MEA not just for its superior product but for it longevity and overcoming many obstacles.
On the flip side, I would have to say that the worst airline in the Middle East is Royal Jordanian: Very unprofessional - Their transatlantic service (USA - Amman) is absolutely terrible: The name and livery are deceiving: there is nothing "royal" about Royal Jordanian, my experience anyway.
FOMEA From Lebanon, joined Jul 2005, 847 posts, RR: 58 Reply 8, posted (7 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2904 times:
Quoting NYCFlyer (Thread starter): MEA is indeed a success story, having survived the Lebanese civil war and building itself up to the great carrier it is today. I admire MEA not just for its superior product but for it longevity and overcoming many obstacles.
On the flip side, I would have to say that the worst airline in the Middle East is Royal Jordanian: Very unprofessional - Their transatlantic service (USA - Amman) is absolutely terrible: The name and livery are deceiving: there is nothing "royal" about Royal Jordanian, my experience anyway.
DR.DTW..I Couldnt agree more with all what you said..
Well said.
Regards,
F-OMEA
Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.
Soups From Ghana, joined Jun 2004, 3438 posts, RR: 15 Reply 9, posted (7 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 2875 times:
I Flew MEA on their FCO, MXP, LHR, CDG. CAI, IST, ACC, LOS, KAN, FNA (late 80s early 90s) ABJ and DXB. business and economy. (been flying them since i was a little kid), i had more than 50 flights with them their service has certainly improved but i wouldnt call them the best airlinr in the MEA. only reason i choose them from time to time is because i have the presidental club card i get free upgrade on almost every flight and i get an allowance of 130kilo.
on few flights i had very rude flight attendant who refused to serve me water (in business class) while we were at lagos refueling, and she served the person next to me.
Next destinations, Suarabaya, beirut, paris, Accra
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