Washington Dulles is the East Coast's second nonstop gateway to Cairo after JFK – EgyptAir flies IAD to Cairo four times a week on the 787-9. The natural choice for anyone within driving distance of DC, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware or Pennsylvania.
EgyptAir IAD nonstop – schedule and equipment
EgyptAir flies IAD–CAI four times a week, typically Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday (exact days shift seasonally). Equipment is the 787-9 Dreamliner with a 30-seat 1-2-1 business class and a 268-seat economy cabin. Flight time is 11h 05m eastbound, 11h 30m westbound.
Departure from IAD is typically late evening (10:30pm), arrival into Cairo late afternoon next day – a comfortable overnight that gives you a half-day in Cairo on arrival.
Best one-stop alternative
On the three days EgyptAir doesn't fly, both Turkish via Istanbul and Lufthansa via Frankfurt come in at 14h 30m total – barely 3 hours longer than the nonstop. Turkish is cheaper economy; Lufthansa is better for Star Alliance status passengers. Qatar via Doha is the premium-cabin pick but adds another 2h 30m for the QSuite experience.
If your dates don't fit EgyptAir's pattern, don't pay a premium for the nonstop – Turkish or Lufthansa one-stop is genuinely fine.
Why IAD beats JFK for DC-area travelers
Three reasons:
- No domestic feeder. JFK from DC requires either a 1-hour Acela to Penn Station and a NYC taxi, or a separate flight; IAD is 25 minutes from downtown DC, 45 minutes from Bethesda.
- Lighter terminal. IAD's international gates are quieter and faster than JFK Terminal 4 at peak.
- Same equipment. EgyptAir flies the same 787-9 from both gateways; the cabin product is identical.
The one reason to consider JFK from DC: daily frequency vs IAD's 4× weekly. If your dates need flexibility, the JFK departure is more accommodating.
What we handle for DC-area guests
Meet-and-greet at Cairo Airport, visa fast-track if pre-booked, transfer to the hotel, and the entire ground itinerary – Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, the Nile cruise, optional Red Sea extension, optional Jordan add-on via the Taba border. Many of our DC and Maryland guests bolt a 3-day Petra extension onto a 10-day Egypt itinerary; happy to quote both ways.
Plan with us
Flights from Washington DC to Egypt
EgyptAir nonstop Washington Dulles to Cairo 4× weekly. Schedules, terminal, comparable one-stops via Istanbul, Frankfurt, and Doha for DC-area travelers.