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Middle East Airlines (ME) Guide

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Flights from Beirut to Europe, the Gulf and Africa, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper MEA fares. Ask a question
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In short

Middle East Airlines is the flag carrier of Lebanon, based at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International. It flies to about 30 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and West Africa, with Beirut as its single base. MEA is a SkyTeam member and runs Cedar Miles. Cabins are Economy and Business, branded Cedar Class.

Middle East Airlines (MEA) is Lebanon’s national airline and the main airline at Beirut.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Middle East Airlines. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the flag carrier of Lebanon, flying from its single hub at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport to about 33 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, the Gulf and Africa. It suits travellers heading to Lebanon, members of the Lebanese diaspora flying home, and SkyTeam frequent flyers who want to earn on a Beirut trip.

Eight decades of flying

MEA was founded on 31 May 1945 by Saeb Salam and Fawzi El-Hoss, with support from the British airline BOAC, and began flying on 1 January 1946. An Israeli raid on Beirut airport in 1968 destroyed seven MEA aircraft. During the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1991 the airport closed again and again, and more aircraft were destroyed in Israeli strikes in 1982 and shelling in 1985 and 1987.

Lebanon's central bank, Banque du Liban, owns 99.5 per cent of the company. MEA's head office is in Beirut, and the group includes Cedar Executive, which flies private jets, along with companies for ground handling, airport services, aircraft maintenance and catering at Beirut airport. A low-cost subsidiary, Fly Beirut, is planned for 2027.

Network and alliance

Beirut is the only hub. Many routes serve Lebanese communities abroad, so flights fill up around holidays and in summer. MEA joined SkyTeam on 28 June 2012 as the alliance's 17th member. Through SkyTeam it connects with partners such as Air France, KLM and Saudia, and eligible SkyTeam frequent flyers can earn and use benefits on MEA flights.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
MEA official website

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  1. MEA official website
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Good to know

  • Founded1945
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

ME · MEA

IATA · ICAO · callsign “CEDAR JET”

Look for ME in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the MEA code. Enter ME and the number to follow a MEA departure.

Key facts

Main hub

Beirut (BEY)

Beirut–Rafic Hariri International

Network

About 30 destinations

Europe · Middle East · West Africa

MEA connects Beirut with Europe, the Gulf and West Africa, where large Lebanese communities live.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

and Business (Cedar Class)

Business (Cedar Class) and Economy on every aircraft, with flat beds on the A330. MEA sells two cabins, Business and Economy, on its flights.

Compare cabins

Good to know

MEA is almost wholly owned by Lebanon’s central bank, Banque du Liban. The regional security situation can affect its schedule at short notice, so check your flight before travelling. Official website: mea.com.lb.

Frequent flyer

Cedar Miles

Member of SkyTeam

MEA is a SkyTeam member; its programme is Cedar Miles.

How it works

Start a new search

bookingMentor lists ME fares beside the other carriers on the same route, which shows quickly whether MEA is the cheaper way to reach Abidjan.

Safe travels on MEA.

Select dates

At a glance

Middle East Airlines (IATA: ME, ICAO: MEA) is the flag carrier of Lebanon, founded in 1945 and based at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport. A SkyTeam member, it flies about 22 Airbus A320, A321neo and A330 aircraft to around 30 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Key facts about Middle East Airlines
HeadquartersBeirut, Lebanon
Fleet typesAirbus A330-200, A321neo, A320
Frequent flyerCedar Miles
Official websitemea.com.lb

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
MEA serves the places below according to its published network. Routes are added, paused and rescheduled, so confirm the current MEA timetable when you search. Search flights

Europe

Beirut (BEY) departures11 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

The fleet is all Airbus and has 22 airliners: eight A320s and ten A321neos for regional and European routes, and four A330-200s for longer and busier flights. Four A321XLRs and four A330-900s are on order. Cedar Executive adds two Embraer Legacy 500 business jets.

  • Airbus A330-200 Wide-body · 4 Busy routes such as London, Paris and West Africa
  • Airbus A321neo Narrow-body · 10 Europe and the Gulf
  • Airbus A320 Narrow-body · 8 Regional routes

Cabin classes

MEA sells two cabins, Economy and Business (Cedar Class). The aircraft and route decide which MEA cabins you can book.

Economy All flights

Full service with Lebanese cuisine

MealsChecked bag included

Business (Cedar Class) All aircraft

Flat beds on the A330

Cedar Lounge in BeirutPriority servicesExtra baggage

Cedar Miles

MEA’s frequent flyer programme, with Blue, Silver, Golden Cedar and President’s Club tiers.

Members earn miles on MEA and SkyTeam flights and can redeem them for award tickets and upgrades.

Cedar Miles is MEA's frequent flyer programme. It has four tiers: Blue Cedar, Silver Cedar, Golden Cedar and the invitation-only President's Club.

Travel tip: regional security conditions have affected flights to and from Beirut in recent years. Check your flight status on mea.com.lb shortly before travelling, and review the baggage allowance for your fare in your booking.

Baggage allowance

MEA does not give every passenger the same allowance: the route, the cabin and the fare you buy each change it. Your ME e-ticket shows what you have.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Allowances depend on route, cabin and fare, and West African routes have their own allowance. Check your e-ticket.

Pro tip: summer and holiday flights to Beirut are busy with returning families; weigh bags at home.
Travel day

Online Check-in

Getting through check-in for MEA is simpler in this order. Start online and finish at bag drop.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Online check-in for ME flights is on the official MEA website or app. You need the ME booking reference or e-ticket number and the passenger’s surname.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Pack your passport plus any visa, residence permit or entry papers your destination asks for. Domestic ME passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    MEA closes its check-in counters before departure, and passengers who miss the cut-off can be refused boarding. Leave room for bag drop and security at BEY.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    Hand in checked luggage at the MEA counter or bag drop, then keep your boarding pass and passport ready for security and the gate.

    MEA counter
Ready to check in? Check in and manage your booking on the official MEA website.
Check in with MEA
Save money

Cheap tickets

A few booking habits that tend to cut the cost of flying MEA.

  1. 01

    Be flexible with your MEA dates

    Compare a full week of MEA departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Summer, Christmas and Eid see many Lebanese abroad fly home; fares rise sharply.

    Summer & holidays
  3. 03

    Compare MEA fare types

    Look at the next MEA fare up: if it bundles a hold bag or easier changes, it may beat the basic fare plus extras.

    Baggage & changes

  4. Ready to compare fares?

    Search MEA alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search MEA flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Middle East Airlines.
We check these MEA answers with the airline’s own sources and aviation references every season.

Getting there

Yes. Middle East Airlines has been a member of SkyTeam since 28 June 2012. Members of SkyTeam partner programmes can earn miles on its flights, and elite status holders can receive alliance benefits on eligible journeys.