Middle East AirlinesME

Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the flag carrier of Lebanon and one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, founded in 1945. Headquartered in Beirut, MEA has served as Lebanon's gateway to the world for nearly eight decades, surviving multiple regional conflicts and economic challenges while maintaining continuous operations.

As a member of the SkyTeam alliance since 2012, Middle East Airlines connects Beirut to over 30 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and West Africa. The airline operates a modern all-Airbus fleet consisting of A320, A321, and A330 widebody aircraft, offering both Business and Economy class service.

MEA is renowned for its exceptional Lebanese hospitality and award-winning cuisine. The airline takes pride in serving authentic Lebanese dishes prepared by trained chefs, featuring mezze, grilled meats, and regional specialties. This culinary focus has earned MEA recognition as one of the best airlines for in-flight dining in the Middle East.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (free on all fares):

• Handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack
• Must fit under seat in front

Cabin Bag:

Class	Dimensions	Weight	Pieces
Economy	55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in)	7 kg (15 lbs)	1 bag
Business	55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in)	10 kg (22 lbs)	2 bags

Additional Items Allowed Free:

• Duty-free items in sealed bags
• Small camera
• Umbrella
• Reading material
• Infant food for journey

Checked Baggage

Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Economy	2 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each
Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Size Limit: Maximum 158 cm (62 in) linear dimensions per bag

Route Variations:

• Some regional Middle East routes may have reduced allowances (1 bag in Economy)
• Transatlantic codeshare routes with SkyTeam partners may have different rules
• Always verify allowance on your specific itinerary

Excess Baggage Fees

Fee Type	Cost (USD)
Additional bag	$100-150
Overweight (23-32 kg)	$100
Overweight (32-45 kg)	$200
Oversized (158-203 cm)	$150

Save Money: Purchase excess baggage in advance through the MEA website or call center for potential discounts.

Infant & Child Baggage

Passenger	Checked Allowance	Additional
Infant (under 2)	1 bag x 10 kg	Stroller + car seat free
Child (2+ years)	Same as adult	Stroller + car seat free

Special Items

Item	Policy
Golf clubs	Counts toward allowance
Skis/snowboards	Counts toward allowance
Car seat	FREE (gate-check available)
Stroller	FREE (collapsible, gate-check)
Wheelchair/mobility aids	FREE
Musical instruments	Cabin if fits; purchase seat for larger items
Sporting equipment	Subject to excess baggage fees

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at mea.com.lb/baggage.

Fleet Overview

Aircraft	Configuration	Routes
Airbus A330-200	Business + Economy	Long-haul (Europe, West Africa)
Airbus A321	Business + Economy	Medium-haul
Airbus A320	Business + Economy	Regional/short-haul

Business Class

Airbus A330-200 (Long-haul):

• Configuration: 2-2-2
• Seat pitch: 60 inches (152 cm)
• Seat width: 20 inches (51 cm)
• Angle-flat seats (not fully flat on older aircraft)
• Personal entertainment screen: 15.4 inches
• AC power and USB outlets
• Amenity kit
• Noise-cancelling headphones

Airbus A321/A320 (Regional):

• Configuration: 2-2
• Enhanced seat pitch and width
• Recliner seats with extra legroom
• Priority boarding and dedicated cabin

Business Class Service:

• Champagne and premium beverages
• Multi-course Lebanese and international cuisine
• Dine-on-demand flexibility on longer flights
• Turndown service with blanket and pillow
• Cedar Lounge access at Beirut

Economy Class

Airbus A330-200:

• Seat pitch: 32 inches (81 cm)
• Seat width: 18 inches (46 cm)
• Personal seatback entertainment screens
• USB charging at every seat
• Complimentary meals and beverages

Airbus A321/A320:

• Seat pitch: 31-32 inches (79-81 cm)
• Standard 3-3 configuration
• Personal entertainment screens on most aircraft
• Complimentary meal service

Entertainment

In-Flight Entertainment System:

• Personal screens in all classes on most aircraft
• Movies in Arabic, English, French, and other languages
• TV shows, documentaries, and news
• Music channels (Arabic, Western, classical)
• Games and children's programming
• Moving map display

WiFi:

• Available on select aircraft
• Messaging and browsing packages available for purchase

Dining - A Signature Experience

MEA is celebrated for its authentic Lebanese cuisine, considered among the best in-flight dining in the Middle East.

Economy Class:

• Complimentary hot meals on all flights
• Lebanese specialties: mezze, tabbouleh, hummus, grilled meats
• Choice of Middle Eastern or international options
• Complimentary beverages including Lebanese wines
• Special meals available with 24-hour advance request

Business Class:

• Multi-course gourmet Lebanese dining
• Signature dishes prepared by MEA's culinary team
• Premium Lebanese wines (Chateau Kefraya, Chateau Ksara, Chateau Musar)
• Arak (Lebanese anise spirit) and regional beverages
• Fresh mezze selection
• Arabic coffee service with dates

Special Meals Available:

• Vegetarian (VGML, VLML, AVML)
• Kosher (KSML)
• Halal (MOML)
• Diabetic (DBML)
• Child/Baby meals (CHML, BBML)
• Low sodium, gluten-free, and others

Request special meals at least 24 hours before departure through MEA website or call center.

Booking:

• Book directly on mea.com.lb for easiest changes and full fare visibility
• Prices displayed in USD for clarity and stability
• Compare with SkyTeam partner connections through Beirut
• Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) miles can be redeemed on MEA

At the Airport:

• Beirut airport can be busy; arrive 3 hours before international flights
• Cedar Lounge offers good facilities for Business and elite passengers
• Check-in online to secure preferred seats

Maximizing Cedar Miles:

• Join for free before your first flight
• Consider status match from other airline programs
• SkyTeam Elite status provides lounge access at 750+ locations
• Use partner airlines to earn Cedar Miles on non-MEA flights

In-Flight:

• Request Lebanese wines - Chateau Musar, Ksara, and Kefraya are excellent
• Try the mezze selection, especially the hummus and tabbouleh
• Arabic coffee with cardamom is a signature experience
• Window seats on A330 offer good views of the Mediterranean coast

Connections:

• Beirut serves as a convenient hub between Europe, Gulf, and Africa
• Minimum connection time approximately 90 minutes
• Transit visa not required for most nationalities

SkyTeam Benefits:

• Use Delta, Air France, or KLM miles for MEA flights
• Access SkyTeam lounges worldwide with Gold/Platinum status
• Earn miles on any SkyTeam flight credited to Cedar Miles
• Round-the-world itineraries possible through SkyTeam

Common Issues:

• Lebanon's currency situation means USD is preferred for all transactions
• Some older A330 aircraft have angle-flat rather than fully-flat Business seats
• WiFi not available on all aircraft
• Regional routes may have reduced baggage allowances

Diaspora Travel:

• MEA has strong networks to Lebanese communities worldwide
• West Africa routes (Lagos, Abidjan, Accra) serve large Lebanese populations
• Paris and London have multiple weekly frequencies
• Consider MEA for authentic Lebanese hospitality on the journey home

Last verified: January 2025