Review: AEGEAN Airlines Business Class
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, AEGEAN Airlines has grown significantly since its start in 1999 with just two planes and destinations. Now, as a member of the Star Alliance, it flies to 47 countries, promoting lesser-known Greek destinations and local products. The airline continues to expand, recently ordering four A321neo LR aircraft that can fly up to 7.5 hours, making new regions like the Persian Gulf, India, and Central Africa accessible from Greece.
The Plane and Route
We flew Business Class on an Airbus A320-200, traveling directly from Manchester to Athens and back.
Check-In
The luggage allowance is generous, with 2 x 32kg cases for the hold and a 13kg bag plus a personal item allowed on board. Staying in Athens for five nights, the onboard allowance was plenty for us, allowing us to check in online and proceed quickly through security using the Fast Track route, though we did stop at the desk for printed boarding passes.
Lounge Access
In Manchester, AEGEAN operates from Terminal 2, where Business Class passengers can access the Escape Lounge. This lounge features a long bar, cooked breakfast options, fruit, yogurts, pastries, and beverages. In Athens, AEGEAN’s main hub, the newly opened lounge from 2022 is both modern and spacious. We found it very quiet during our early visit, offering an assortment of seating, extensive food options, and hot beverage facilities. Recliners overlooking the airport apron provide space to relax, especially if facing flight delays or long layovers.
The Seat
On both flights, Business Class comprises four rows, each with three seats on either side of the aisle. The middle seat is converted into a table, providing extra width and legroom. The seats recline about 4-5 inches, enough for a short nap, making them comfortable for a short-haul flight.
In-Flight Entertainment
The AEGEAN Portal offers a range of free entertainment through WiFi, including movies, news, documentaries, music, games, and a moving map. Business Class passengers can access free Stream WiFi with speeds up to 15Mbps. Although the flight is under four hours, bringing a book or pre-loading content on a device is recommended. The inflight magazine, “fly smart blue,” also offers over 300 pages of content, despite numerous ads, with articles on culinary projects in Athens and travel pieces on destinations like Chios, Marseille, and Vilnius.
Food and Drink
For breakfast on our outbound flight, we had a fresh fruit platter with Manouri cheese, a choice of a morning roll or croissant, and a hot entrée by Executive Chef Lefteris Lazzarou: omelet with smoked chicken, leek, mushrooms, and thyme, or omelet ‘Stourgato’ with smoked salmon and spicy tomato sauce. On our return flight, we had a selection of pastries. There’s also a regular drinks service offering local beverages like ouzo and tsipouro, and eight different Greek wines. The AEGEAN Business Class culinary experience is crafted by a team of renowned Greek chefs and a master of wine.
The Cost
Out of season, Business Class fares from Manchester to Athens start at €461.90 per person, while peak season fares can exceed €1,000 per round trip. AEGEAN’s frequent flyer program, Miles+Bonus, offers benefits like free flights and upgrades. The program has three tiers: Blue, Silver, and Gold. Additionally, the AEGEAN Pass allows passengers to customize flight packages and secure prices for a year, offering unique benefits and maximizing award miles.
Service and Final Thoughts
The cabin crew were friendly and professional. Arriving in Athens was very efficient, with Business Class passengers able to disembark quickly and take a dedicated bus to the terminal, bypassing lines and speeding through passport control. Overall, the spacious seating, excellent Athens lounge, and efficient arrival contributed to a highly enjoyable AEGEAN Business Class experience.