As soon as it gets cold and uncomfortable in Germany, our longing for warmth, sun, and sea increases. However, we don’t want to fly “forever” and prefer to stay within the same time zone (with a deviation of 1 to 2 hours). Corendon Airlines flew us into the warmth!
At a Glance
- What: Flight with Corendon Airlines
- Where: Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
- Highlight: Low flight prices, direct flights
- Ideal for: Budget-conscious travelers, families
German Cold ↔ Egyptian Sun: The Longing for Sharm El Sheikh
We wanted to flee, exchange thick coats for T-shirts, and the gray sky for a radiant azure blue. Sharm El Sheikh, on the Sinai Peninsula, offers exactly that! The Ras Mohammed National Park or the diving spots around Tiran Island offer indescribable impressions. The numerous all-inclusive resorts pamper the guests. Pure relaxation awaited us here!
When vacation time is limited, a direct flight is worth gold. So the choice was quickly clear. Since the winter season 2025, Corendon Airlines has been offering a direct connection from Hannover (HAJ) to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH). There are other direct connections from Nuremberg and Düsseldorf, but Hannover was simply the easiest for us to reach.
The Pitfalls of the Fare: Corendon Booking: What Does the Direct Flight Really Cost?
It is best to start your initial research on the airline’s website or app.
We found it to be quite clearly laid out, and the user guidance was intuitive. You can quickly find the available flights. The basic price for the flight from Hannover to Sharm El Sheikh was temptingly low. But you have to be vigilant: luggage, seat reservation, catering – all these items are offered separately and in different stages.
Carry-on Luggage, Checked Baggage, and Surcharges: The Long-Haul Rules in Detail
Corendon Airlines offers four fare classes: Lite, Eco, Flex, and Premium (All Inclusive). These differ in their offering, and there is the option to add individual items for a fee.
| Lite | Eco | Flex | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bag | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Carry-on | X | 1x10kg | 1x10kg | 1x10kg |
| Baggage | X | X | 1x23kg | 2x20kg |
| Seat Selection | X | X | Standard | free |
| Onboard Catering | X | X | X | included |
| Change/Refund | no | no | limited | flexible |
| Priority Check-in/boarding | X | X | X | free |
| Online Check-in | free | free | free | free |
| Airport Check-in | X | X | free | free |
Additional baggage can be booked online or at the airport up to 12 hours before the scheduled flight time. For the route Hannover (HAJ) – Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), the “Long”*-route fares apply. Costs vary depending on the weight class (costs are subject to change):
| Weight Class | Estimated Costs (EUR) – Long* |
| 15 kg | starting at €60 |
| 20 kg | starting at €70 |
| 25 kg | starting at €75 |
Additional services and seat reservation
If you desire more comfort, you should reserve a seat with more legroom in advance. Pre-ordering meals is also necessary.
If you miss the online check-in at the German departure airport, you must pay a fee at the counter.
Exception: Since online check-in is not possible in Sharm El Sheikh, this point does not apply to the return journey.
Online Check-in (OCI)
The online check-in opened 72 hours before our departure with Corendon Airlines. We completed this process in the app. I found the procedure simple and clearly laid out. We were guided through the process step by step. Even when we made a “detour” to see if we wanted to book a seat for a fee, we were able to return to the process without any problems.
On the outbound flight, we were assigned a seat by the system. I wouldn’t have chosen row 30 myself, but we didn’t really care where we sat.
We saved the boarding pass in our phone’s Wallet.
Our booking conclusion: The booking process was simple and clearly laid out, provided you take the time to read everything through calmly.
Smooth Start: Hannover Airport (HAJ) – Quick Handling at Dawn
Our flight was scheduled to depart at 7 a.m. on the day of travel. This was optimal, as it meant we would still have several hours of sunshine waiting for us in Egypt. Since we had to travel from Berlin, we opted for the solution: traveling by train the day before and staying overnight at the airport hotel.
The journey from Hannover main station to the airport takes only about 15 minutes by S-Bahn (suburban train). From the platform, you walk directly into the airport building.
Check-in quick and effortless
Since the online check-in was already done, only the baggage had to be dropped off. The Corendon Airlines counter was quickly found, and the handling proceeded smoothly.
Contrary to some negative online reviews that spoke of “chilly” staff, we were warmly greeted despite the early hour. The baggage was quickly accepted, and after a brief check of the documents, we were on our way to security control.
Security control in Hannover was quick and effortless. After that, we went directly to the gate.
Boarding began on time. No chaos, no unnecessary delays, and a consistently friendly atmosphere. A successful start toward Egypt.
We could already see the Boeing 737-800 we were to fly on from the window. The walk over the jetway and entering the cabin was the last step on land. Now the actual Corendon experience began: five hours of flying into the warmth!
Flight with the Boeing 737-800
The first impression upon entering the Boeing 737-800: it is not the newest aircraft, but very clean, and the crew was very friendly. As with all leisure airlines, the focus is on accommodating as many seats as possible. Corendon Airlines offers a seat pitch of 74 to 79 cm and a seat width of 43 cm. It is cramped, you cannot comfortably cross your legs, but it is no more restrictive than on other European airlines.
The seat padding was good, the backrest adjustable, and I sat comfortably for the duration of the flight.
An in-flight entertainment system is not offered. Here the motto is: Bring your own entertainment and enjoy what you like without disturbing others! It is best to download content beforehand, as Wi-Fi/streaming is not offered.
Service On Board
Service began shortly after takeoff. On Corendon Airlines, food and drinks are not included in the standard ticket price. If you wish, you can order your meal in advance (the kebab is particularly popular) or rely on the small, paid snacks and drinks from the onboard menu. Our pre-ordered breakfast on the outbound flight and dinner on the return flight were really good.
Tip: Only physical credit or debit cards are accepted for payment – Apple Pay/Google Pay does not work. So it’s better to bring some cash!
The crew was very friendly and eager to fulfill requests. For example, our seat neighbor on the outbound flight was not feeling well. She was quickly helped, and with a cup of water, everything was soon fine again.
The actual flight was very pleasant. The plane took off on time in Hannover, and the flight was thankfully calm. Just under five hours over Europe, and then we could finally see the desert through the window. The landing in Sharm El Sheikh was even slightly earlier than planned.
Arrival in Sharm El Sheikh (SSH): Visa Chaos and the Sinai Resort Permit
Upon exiting the aircraft, the warm, dry desert air hits you – that’s instant vacation feeling. The arrivals hall in Sharm El Sheikh is, to say the least, busy. The first mandatory point: entry formalities.
Sinai Resort Permit
We were exclusively in Sharm El Sheikh and did not require a visa. However, this is a special regulation.
The Sinai Resort Permit stamp is a free entry permit for the resorts of the Sinai Peninsula, valid for a maximum of 15 days. The stamp only entitles the traveler to stay in the tourist zones of the southern Sinai region. Leaving this narrowly defined area, for example, for excursions to the Pyramids of Giza, is not permitted with this stamp and requires the regular, paid 30-day tourist visa.
Important: The free Sinai stamp is only possible upon direct arrival at specific airports on the Sinai Peninsula. If entry is via an airport outside the Sinai (e.g., Cairo), the paid visa must be purchased.
Passport Control
We had already filled out our entry card on the plane (pack a pen!) and now had to go through passport control. The queue at the actual passport control was long, as expected, and the processing by the Egyptian officials was at a leisurely pace.
This is followed by the wait for luggage. Even if the flight was on time, baggage claim operates on its own timeline. But everything arrived, and we were finally able to leave the airport.
The entire journey, from online booking to leaving the airport in Egypt, had gone smoothly. Corendon Airlines took us exactly where we wanted to be: quickly and directly to the Red Sea.
Suitcases, Controls, and Delays: The Pitfalls of the Return Journey
The return journey was essentially just as uncomplicated as the outbound flight. A shuttle brought us to the airport, where we got out right at the departure hall.
The queue at the counter was processed quickly. Since online check-in is not possible here, you do it on site.
With the boarding pass and ID in hand, we went through many different controls. Hand luggage was checked multiple times, taking off shoes during personal control is mandatory, and numerous lists were filled out. After certainly six different stations, we finally arrived at the waiting hall.
Our Corendon Airlines flight had about 40 minutes delay. This was partly because the plane arrived late, but also due to the very leisurely handling by the Egyptians. Here, one aircraft was processed only after the other. Boarding for the next machine only began once all passengers had left the waiting area. Since apparently only three buses were available for transport to the aircraft, this part also dragged on. Corendon Airlines can hardly influence this problem, and I can only partially understand the annoyance of some fellow travelers about it.
The flight itself was smooth again, and the pilot almost completely made up for the delay (it was only about 10 minutes late in Hannover in the end).
After passport control, we collected our suitcases, and as we left the airport, it was no longer 30 degrees but only -3 degrees. We would have loved to turn right back!
Corendon Airlines → The Conclusion: Who is this Direct Flight the Right Choice For?
Corendon Airlines on the Hannover – Sharm El Sheikh route is the ideal choice for the budget-conscious vacationer who values a direct connection. Anyone who wants to get to the sun quickly and cheaply, to then invest the main budget at the destination (e.g., in diving trips), will not be disappointed here.
The choice of Corendon Airlines was right for us. Yes, the seats are tight, and you are not pampered with free meals, but the crucial criteria – punctuality, direct flight, and an unbeatable price – were met. Corendon Airlines delivers what it promises: a quick way to escape the German cold. A clear thumbs-up for the direct charter to the Red Sea.
The 4 Tips for a Flight with Corendon Airlines
- Mandatorily perform Online Check-in (OCI): To avoid the fee at the airport counter, the OCI must be used between 72 and 3 hours before departure.
- Pre-order onboard catering: If you would like to enjoy a meal (e.g., the kebab) on board, you should book it online for a fee at least 72 hours before departure.
- Book a seat: For more legroom, you can make a paid seat reservation on certain seats in advance.
- Prepare payment methods: Card payment on board was only possible with physical cards on our flights (no phone payment!!!). So, to be safe, pack some cash (Euros) for buying drinks and snacks.
We were invited by Corendon Airlines.
Leave a Reply