Flights to Egypt · US guide
Flights from Washington DC to Egypt
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.
Updated 18 May 2026 · Reviewed by Discovery Tours Egypt editorial team
- Nonstop carrier
- EgyptAir (4× weekly)
- Flying time nonstop
- 11h 05m
- IAD terminal
- Main Terminal, international gates
- Best one-stop alternative
- Turkish via Istanbul (~14h 30m)
Airlines on this route
| Airline | Routing | Flight time | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EgyptAir (MS 982/981) | IAD ⇄ CAI nonstop | 11h 05m / 11h 30m | 4× weekly | Boeing 787-9; the only IAD–CAI nonstop |
| Turkish Airlines (TK 8) | IAD → IST → CAI | 14h 30m total | Daily | Cheapest one-stop economy; daily |
| Lufthansa (LH 419) | IAD → FRA → CAI | 14h 30m total | Daily | Best Star Alliance status routing |
| Qatar Airways (QR 708) | IAD → DOH → CAI | 17h total | Daily | QSuite business class |
| United (via EWR) | IAD → EWR → CAI | 13h+ total | Daily UA974 | United domestic plus EWR nonstop |
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 the trip with us
Discovery Tours Egypt is an Egypt-based tour operator with offices across the country – Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh. Hold your own flights or let us package them; either way we handle every guide, ticket and transfer from the moment you land.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a nonstop flight from Washington DC to Cairo?
Yes – EgyptAir flies Washington Dulles (IAD) to Cairo four times a week on the Boeing 787-9. Flight time is 11h 05m eastbound, 11h 30m westbound.
What days does EgyptAir fly from Dulles to Cairo?
EgyptAir typically operates IAD–CAI on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday – four flights weekly. The exact pattern shifts seasonally; confirm specific dates several months ahead.
Is it better to fly from Dulles or JFK to Cairo?
Dulles wins for DC-area travelers – no domestic feeder, 25 minutes from downtown DC, lighter international terminal at peak, same 787-9 equipment. JFK wins only if you need daily frequency (JFK is daily, IAD is 4× weekly).
How long is the flight from Washington to Cairo?
Nonstop on EgyptAir is 11 hours 5 minutes eastbound. One-stop routings via Istanbul (Turkish) or Frankfurt (Lufthansa) take 14h 30m total. Via Doha (Qatar) is 17 hours total.
What is the cheapest way to fly Washington to Cairo?
Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, daily, economy round-trip typically $800–1,100. EgyptAir nonstop is usually $1,100–1,500. Lufthansa via Frankfurt is comparable to Turkish.
Can I fly Reagan National (DCA) or BWI to Cairo?
Not directly. From DCA, all routings connect through a hub (JFK, EWR, ORD, IAD, FRA, IST). From BWI, similar – most BWI travelers either drive 45 minutes to IAD for the EgyptAir nonstop, or fly BWI–JFK on JetBlue and connect to EgyptAir from there.